Things to Do and See in the 40 West Arts District
Denver is lucky to have a thriving creative scene in several different neighborhoods. There’s the Art District on Santa Fe, the Golden Triangle Creative District, RiNo, and the up-and-coming 40 West Arts District.
Head towards the mountains, and you’ll find the state-certified creative area spread out along Lakewood’s historic West Colfax neighborhood. Art lovers, live music lovers, and those looking to experience creative Colorado culture will find plenty to do in 40 West Arts!
40 West Arts District Attractions
40 West Artline
One of the biggest attractions in the 40 West Arts District is the 40 West Artline: four miles of a stunning art experience right in the heart of the neighborhood. Walk or bike along the Artline to admire over 70 temporary and permanent artwork in this public art collection. You’ll find fence art, ground and wall murals, park sculptures, and interactive pieces in the collection. A bright green painted line snakes along the ArtLine route around Walker Branch Park, the W Line, West Colfax, and around Aviation Park, ensuring you don’t lose your way.
First Fridays
There’s a party every month in 40 West Arts! Creative businesses and art galleries open their doors to the public around 5 pm every first Friday of the month. Stroll through the neighborhood and enjoy live music, beer and wine, light bites, artwork on display, and much more. Want to make sure you hit up all the galleries during First Friday? This handy map to the district’s art spaces and creative businesses is a good place to start.
And if you’re looking for an extra special and fun First Friday, don’t miss out on one of three Colfax Art Crawls throughout the year. Described as a “First Friday on steroids” by 40 West Arts, these art crawls have everything that First Fridays offer, plus popup spaces, performance artists, interactive experiences, and more.
Colfax ArtFest
Formerly known as West Colfax MuralFest, this exciting summertime arts festival celebrates the art and talent that has been cultivated in the West Colfax neighborhood. Each festival since its inception in 2015 has featured amazing artists, local vendors, music, food trucks, and beer. Bonus: Colfax ArtFest is free. Don’t miss out on the 2020 ArtFest!
Creative opportunities in 40 West Arts District
Residents can certainly appreciate all the art events and exhibits in the 40 West Arts District, but the opportunities don’t stop there. Budding artists can find numerous opportunities to showcase their work in the neighborhood. The Curated at Colorado Mills program brings local art to Colorado Mills, Denver Metro’s only indoor outlet mall. Art in the Air and 40W Placemaking Initiatives allow artists to display their work around the city: on plaza banners, signage, city branding, and more.
Artists can work with 40 West Arts partners to offer free classes or reduced-cost programming to the community, too. The 40 West Artist in Residence program brings a variety of beginner-friendly classes, children’s projects, and senior classes to the neighborhood.
Living near the West Colfax neighborhood
If you’re considering a home purchase anytime soon, be sure to schedule a tour at West Line Village. West Line Village residents have quick and easy access to not only a vibrant arts district but also Sloan’s Lake, the W Line at Sheridan Station, dozens of restaurants and bars, shopping, and best of all – the foothills are a short, 20-minute drive away.
West Line Village townhomes know how much residents value work and play, so each home is thoughtfully designed to be flexible, energy-efficient, and storage-friendly for all your outdoor gear. Ready to look at West Line Village townhomes? Book your appointment today!
