Arts & (Horti)Culture 
The Denver Botanic Gardens Invites the Street in for the Summer
Think graffiti’s just an eyesore? Think again. For decades, skilled “street” artists have been creating beautiful, groundbreaking works that have been acclaimed all over the world. It just so happens that these artists choose to use spray cans instead of paintbrushes.
Urban Nature
The Denver Botanic Gardens will showcase some of the world’s best street artists this spring and summer in a fascinating exhibition entitled Urban Nature. The exhibition, which runs between April 19 and Nov. 30, brings the urban environment into the natural world through art and horticultural practices, outlining strategies that city dwellers can use to evoke the natural world as green space diminishes amid concrete and steel. Paintings by more than 10 local, national and internationally known street-style painters and mural artists will be integrated into the Botanic Gardens lush landscape.
"Urban Nature seeks to demonstrate how, in a contemporary world that embraces industrialization and technology, the human connection with the earth requires more nurturing than ever,” says Lisa Eldred, the Botanic Gardens’ Director of Exhibitions and Programs. “Not only will the city be brought into the Gardens, the Gardens will venture out into the urban environment with programs and stimulating installations.”
The Artists
Lady Pink, Mac, Siloette are some of the biggest names in street-style art, and their work will form the centerpieces of the Urban Nature exhibition.
New York City-area community activist, Lady Pink (pictured above right) began her artistic career painting subway trains in the ‘70s and ‘80s, as so many young street artists did. But she’s come out from the underground – literally – and gone on to create grand-scale murals throughout New York City. Time Out New York called her a “spray-painting diva.”
Phoenix-based Mac draws his inspiration from the Mexican and Chicano culture that permeates the American Southwest. He mixes a distinctive urban style with more classic influences from artists such as Caravaggio, Mucha, and Vermeer.
Siloette, who currently resides in Los Angeles, has been acclaimed for her feminine subject matter, unique flowing style and organic ingredients.
Other local and regional talent includes artists Amanda Marie, Elisabeth Bunker, Delton Demarest, Dread, Sophie Fernandez, Javier Flores, Stevon Lucero, Jolt, Mission, Adam Moorhead, Todd Robinson, Ian Rumley, and Wiser.
The Art
These street murals will be created on temporary panels surrounded by the natural beauty of the Gardens’ York Street site, resonating with the viewer in surprising and pleasing ways. The panels themselves are environmentally friendly, using materials such as wood pulp, cement, sand and water, all of which are low in toxicity and have been recycled up to four times, reflecting the Gardens’ core values. Meanwhile, balcony displays, container gardening, and the concept of the urban homestead and other unique horticultural practices for city dwellers will be highlighted.
The Community
Urban Nature will also include a Community Gardens feature illustrating the ideas behind the growing community gardening movement. Original sculptures from Bill, Judy and Robert Schempp will contain weather-resistant photographs by the Gardens’ official photographer, Scott Dressel-Martin.
Get more information at www.botanicgardens.org/content/urban-nature.