ABOUT
Pirate: Contemporary Art is a member run co-operative art space dedicated to showing the latest in contemporary art. Our goal is to display the current trends in art focusing on showing the best of local artists. We provide a place for artist’s to show their work and to experiment with new ideas and concepts. It is an environment that is set up to help foster and encourage growth and development in the artists. As a non-profit, it fills the gaps left by the commercial and public sector to advocate issues such as art education, art activism, and promotion of unrepresented artists.
THE HISTORY
Established January 1, 1980, this eclectic, alternative art space is one of Denver’s longest running and most iconic member-run art cooperatives. We have long been recognized for a consistent presentation of cutting-edge works by local artists.
The idea of Pirate began with a conversation between a group of friends and like-minded people who had recently graduated from Metropolitan State. There was much speculation about their place in the gallery world. At the time, there were few commercial galleries showing good contemporary art in Denver so they decided to start their own. This led to the creation of an art oasis where contemporary ideas could be shown.
We can always be relied on to present the most audacious contemporary artworks coming out of Denver art scene.
“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” Pablo Picasso
"I never paint dreams or nightmares. I paint my own reality." Frida Kahlo
"Art is standing with one hand extended into the universe and one hand extended into the world, and letting ourselves be a conduit for passing energy" Albert Einstein
"I keep finding interesting objects. If I run out of objects, who knows what I’ll do?" Phil Bender
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Video of our grand reopening by Will Strathmann
