On the corner of 9^th and Santa Fe, there’s an old two -story house with a small garden, and a fountain out back. For the past fifteen years this has been the home of Grace gallery and Neo Studio. From the outside it seems deceptively small, but the inside is packed with all kinds of paintings and sculptures from dozens of artists. They feature locals, international artists, even work from inmates at Colorado prisons. The diversity they foster brings Grace a huge selection covering nearly every style imaginable. You’ll see surrealism, classical nudes, landscapes, steam punk sculptures, painted glass, ceramics, portraits painted on drum sets, orreries, and one-of-a-kind greeting cards. Upstairs are the studios. All of the resident artists have their work on display and you can take a peek at the creative space where the magic happens.

Empty Walls by Patrick Call

The first set of paintings I noticed when I walked in were done by Patrick Call. He’s a local painter and actor. I was immediately drawn to the surrealism and detail. His paintings have a lot going on in them. There are alien landscapes, sea monsters, apocalyptic scenarios, interesting combinations of human and animal bodies, religious and political references, everything you need to grab and hold the audience’s attention. These are windows into fantasy worlds. He takes abstract ideas and articulates them visually instead of verbally. The results are complex but not overwhelming.

Display by Carl Cone

Another exhibit that jumped out at me was by Carl Cone. He makes sculptures and installations straight out of every geek’s dreams. His steam punky creations cover…a little bit of everything. There were ornate clocks, hand crank orreries, music boxes, wall plaques, a variety of sculptures, handmade journals, lamps that look like everything from spiders to items from video games, and a lot more. It was all really impressive and fun to see.

By Chris Schrank

Chris Schrank is one of the residents at Neo Art Studios. He specializes in intricate glass works and large ceramics. Unfortunately, he wasn’t there when I went. He did have some really beautiful painted glass pieces and a few sculptures on display though. The centerpiece was an enormous sculpture combining his expertise with both ceramic and glass. It’s a life- size replica of an old antique door. It’s very detailed, down to the carving patterns and ornate brass hinges. I don’t know where the idea came from, but I love it. Yet another example of the wonderfully

By Neil Fogt

unique pieces available here.

By Chris Schrank

There really isn’t time to go into all of the good things you’ll find inside Grace Gallery. There are so many artists on display, each with a very different style. They have three floors of amazing artwork and it’s easy to get lost inside. There’s something for you, regardless of your budget and you’re also welcome to just browse. The Neo Art Studios upstairs are fantastic and there’s a good chance you’ll meet some artists there working on new projects. It’s at 877 Santa Fe Dr, open Tuesday through Saturday 12-6. Stop in and have a look.

Jared Herzing Creative Arts Editor

Jared is a local content contributor and aspiring author. He was fortunate enough to grow up in Golden, Colorado and graduated from MSU Denver. While an insatiable love of travel lures him all over the world, his roots remain firmly planted here. He enjoys writing short stories, poetry, children's books, societal observations, and everything else. A nature enthusiast and sunshine connoisseur, Jared is perfectly at home on any mountaintop or patio. He frequents art galleries and concerts, poetry readings and breweries, museums and bookstores. When he isn't making neighbors cringe at his musical attempts he can be found on a snowboard or sailboat, depending on the day. A perpetual adventurer and eternal patron of the road less traveled.