Case Studies

As the city of Denver has embraced street and public art with open arms and new apartment buildings have popped up all over the city due to the influx of new residents, massive apartment complexes like the Douglas are constantly looking for unique ways to not only draw new residents in but also create inviting environments current residents will love. As residents of the Douglas, artists Pat Milbery and Hunter Stevens identified three different spaces around the building that needed some love.

Having already painted a mural on one Bus to Show bus in the past, it seemed a no-brainer that artist Pat Milbery would want to team up with the organization again. Bus to Show, in partnership with the Bumble dating app and their newest app, Bumble Bizz which connects professionals, provided the Creative Division with two buses to transform. These buses will then provide safe rides to passengers going to and from Red Rocks Amphitheater and various other concerts and events around the Denver/Boulder area.

: Part two of the overall Preamble Taproom project saw artists Pat Milbery and Vancouver-based Danny Fernandez (Def3) transform the front entrance of the building into a 3D B-29 Bomber. While murals of planes are nothing new, Milbery and Fernandez aimed to create a piece that had movement and depth while using the given space in a unique way.

Commissioned projects such as this for local businesses are always a favorite for the Creative Division as it allows the team to give back and help support local businesses. As a resident of the Douglas, Milbery was excited to liven up the building and create an inviting environment for the other residents. The second of three murals installed at the Douglas Apartments sits directly across from the mountain range mural and while it’s smaller than the first installation, this one packs serious punch.

The 98-year-old Crabbe Hall, located at the University of Northern Colorado Greeley, has housed some of Colorado’s best and brightest art students over the years. Surprisingly, while the building houses galleries to showcase student work, the actual interior of the building has never been transformed. Boston-based artist Andrew Bablo (of Steez Magazine) and artist Pat Milbery were approached by the director of the UNC Galleries to transform not only the floor-to-ceiling hallway walls but the ceiling as well, giving the space a much-needed update.

Alleyways are often the first place one looks for some vibrant and unique street art in Denver but it’s rare when a business wants to transform an area most patrons would miss. Tasked with transforming the rear parking lot at the main Buffalo Exchange in Denver, the artists knew they had a bit more freedom with the subject matter than they would if they were painting the front of the store.

Having painted the storefront of the Buffalo Exchange’s Annex location once before, artists Pat Milbery and Pat McKinney already had a pulse on the neighborhood’s vibe and what the community would be receptive to.

According to the TEDxMile High Adventures website, the goal of these adventures is to, “invite you to explore big ideas - up close and personal - as you experience the work and vision of Colorado creatives, innovators and thought-leaders…. Through these experiences, we invite you to “get your hands dirty” with big ideas and take action to build a better Colorado and a better world.”

The fourth and final (so far) installment of the “Love This City” campaign was also the first TEDxMileHigh Adventure the Creative Division helmed. In collaboration with eTuk Ride and the RiNo Arts District, the artists led 15 teenagers along a tour of the various murals around RiNo, instructed them in the art of aerosol can control, discussed public art, career paths in the art world and how to follow their passion.

While the team has created many pieces they are proud of, this one might be the crown jewel. At 28 feet by 78 feet, if you are driving North on Park Avenue and miss this vibrant mural, it might be time to visit the eye doctor!

Artist Pat Milbery had been sitting with the “Love This City” concept for a few years before he was approached by Visit Denver to create what would end up being four different murals throughout Downtown Denver. Designed by Jason Graves and Milbery with input from the owners of El Noa Noa Restaurant, El Taco De Mexico and other locals around the Santa Fe Art District community, the idea of “Love This City” quickly became something much bigger.

With the mountains right in our backyard, Denver and Colorado in general is known for being home to active residents who love the outdoors. While there are some amazing spaces such as Washington Park and City Park around the city, Downtown Denver is a green-space desert for the most part. Denver Parks and Recreation along with Visit Denver and the Downtown Denver Partnership set out to do something that had yet to be done in a big city and identified spaces around downtown that could benefit from a pop-up park.

The 38th Street underpass in between Walnut and Larimer has long been a bit of an eyesore in the North end of RiNo. As the area expands with large projects such as the new World Trade Center and more folks use the underpass, making this a safer, well-lit and pleasant space for pedestrians, cyclists etc. has been a top priority for the city. Blue Moon Brewery recently opened a new brew house on 38th Street and, in partnership with the RiNo Arts District, the So-Gnar Creative Division and the local community, the project evolved into something larger than just another mural.