EXPLORING DENVER’S CREATIVE SCENE WITH ARTIST ANDREW WOODWARD
EXPLORING DENVER’S CREATIVE SCENE WITH ARTIST ANDREW WOODWARD
Cityscapes, landscapes, and public art: Denver native Andrew Woodward reveals how the city’s contrasts of nature and architecture fuel his paintings and why visitors should see Denver as more than a gateway to the Rockies.
Denver is a city of contrasts: mountain peaks and steel skylines, expansive parks and tightly packed neighbourhoods, murals and museums. It’s a place where art feels woven into the everyday. Few artists reflect that spirit as vividly as Andrew Woodward, a Denver native whose acrylic cityscapes, landscapes and florals balance light, shadow and rhythm with a sense of time and depth.
His works are at once intimate and vast, portraits of architecture and nature that speak to Denver’s ever-evolving identity. After 13 years in Boston, Woodward returned to his hometown in 2012 with his wife Jessica and their two children. In 2024, they opened Woodward Studios on South Holly Street: a working gallery showcasing his paintings alongside Jessica’s jewellery, furniture and charcuterie boards, with regular live performances by local musicians. It has quickly become part of the city’s creative fabric.
We spoke with Andrew about returning home, the spaces that inspire him, and why Denver is a city worth travelling to.
On Returning Home
“Coming back after 13 years in Boston was a welcome homecoming,” he says. “Denver is historically a boom-bust town and I enjoy seeking out views that convey the city’s history mingled with modern development.”
City Meets Nature
Denver is often described as a place where city life and the natural world exist side by side. For Woodward, that closeness defines the city’s energy.
“Denver is known as a gateway to the vast adventure and wilderness of the Rockies,” he explains. “Almost every street offers unique views of the mountaintops, while a short 20–30 minute drive puts you into miles of forest. That closeness to nature is a dominating presence here, and it constantly influences my work.”
His favourite vantage point? “The sunset from the sundial at Cranmer Park — it’s magical.”
A Growing Creative Scene
Denver’s art scene has flourished in recent years. “The community has really grown since my childhood,” Woodward says. “It’s exciting to see the vibrancy of neighbourhoods that comes with it. Opening Woodward Studios has allowed us to meet other artists and become more integrated in the local community.”
Woodward’s Fifty State Animals series is another contribution, appearing across 51 electric boxes in Southeast Denver. “One of my goals is to make an impression and help grow Denver’s art scene. Public art makes creativity accessible.”
Where to Experience Denver’s Creative Side
For travellers, Woodward suggests exploring a mix of neighbourhoods, institutions and unexpected corners:
RiNo (River North Arts District): “The best-known artist community in Denver, buzzing with murals, galleries and breweries.”
Woodward Studios: “Our own working studio in Southeast Denver, a place to discover art, craft, and live music.”
Denver Museum of Nature & Science: “The dioramas are second to none in the world.”
Café Miriam by City Park: “Stop for crepes and see my Fifty State Animals display.”
City Parks: “Cranmer Park, Wash Park and Platte Park all offer glimpses of a perfect Colorado day — light, views, and room to breathe.”
On Denver vs. Boston
Woodward is quick to point out the differences between the two cities where he has lived and worked. “Artists have the same inner spirit wherever they are,” he reflects. “But Denver feels more open and scattered. RiNo is the big artist neighbourhood, yet there are hidden gems throughout the city if you’re willing to explore.”
Advice for Emerging Artists
“Paint for yourself first,” he says. “Find what excites you and dive deep into it. While the Rockies and Western art dominate here, Denver is still untapped. There’s space for new voices to make their mark and help shape the city’s creative future.”
Denver for Creative Travellers
Andrew Woodward embodies what makes Denver compelling: an artist rooted in the city yet always looking outward, balancing memory with change. His work, his public art, and his gallery reflect a city alive with possibility.
For creative travellers, Denver isn’t just a gateway to the mountains, it’s a destination in its own right, where art, nature and community converge in surprising and inspiring ways.
