Streetwise Mural Tours are just one of the cool things you can expect when Boulder Arts Week returns for its 12th year, April 3–12. Courtesy: Boulder Arts Week
Ah, springtime in the People’s Republic — the tulips are budding on Pearl Street, longer days are splashing more sunlight on the Flatirons, and Boulder Arts Week is right around the corner.
Before everyone’s favorite culture bash returns for its dozenth round of citywide gallery shows, live music, studio tours and more April 3–12, we caught up with three local community partners to see what they’re most excited about. Mark these events on your BAW dance card, and be sure to check out the full list of events at boulderartsweek.org.
BVSD Student Artist Talk
5 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, Dairy Arts Center, 2590 Walnut St., Boulder. $17.25 (free for students)
Dairy Arts Center spotlights the next generation of creative voices with the BVSD Student Artist Talk. This special evening invites the community to meet a selection of Boulder Valley School District high school artists featured in the district-wide exhibition on view at the Dairy, April 2 through May 3.
More than a gallery walk, this event is a chance to hear directly from local young artists about how their ideas took shape, what materials and techniques they experimented with, and the stories behind their work. The annual BVSD exhibition spans an impressive range of mediums, including painting, drawing, mixed media, digital art, animation, photography, ceramics and sculpture, reflecting the depth of talent across schools throughout the district.
Admission is free for students, making it an accessible, energizing way to support young creatives and to see Boulder’s arts future unfolding in real time. – Brandi Numedahl, Dairy Arts Center Marketing Director
Streetwise Mural Tours
10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, April 4 (Walking Tour) and Saturday, April 11 (Bike Tour), various locations. $25 for adults, $10 for kids. Register: bit.ly/WalkingTourCC | bit.ly/BikeTourCC
Fresh air and fresh art: the perfect Boulder combination. Streetwise has been making colorful contributions to the city’s outdoor spaces since 2019. There are two ways to take them all in: on foot, with a two-hour, roughly two-mile walking tour downtown — featuring a new route — or on two wheels, rolling along creek paths while spotting environmentally themed works of art.
Great for return visits and first-timers, both tours will be led by passionate and knowledgeable guides. The bike tour is in partnership with the City of Boulder, and comes with a side quest: learning about the city’s critical water issues. BYOBike. The walking tour will end at the soon-to-be new home of community radio station KGNU. Their downtown digs will add a gallery space and coffee shop to 14th Street, just one block from the farmer’s market and Dushanbe Teahouse. – Allyson Burbeck, Streetwise Arts Communication & Program Manager
NoBo First Friday Art Walk
6-9 p.m. Friday, April 3, multiple North Boulder locations. Free
The NoBo First Friday Art Walk is a beloved monthly staple, but the April edition feels different. It’s the unofficial kickoff to the warmer months, and the energy when our community comes out to soak up the spring weather is unmatched.
By day (and often by night), you’ll find me at Roots Music Project. Since I spend most of my time immersed in the local music scene, I love shifting gears to see what Boulder’s visual artists are creating. Plus, it’s the perfect spot to grab a drink, some local food, and catch up with friends — all while keeping an ear out for the live music, of course. – Claire Rosenberg, Roots Music Project Talent Buyer/Operation and Program Manager
