If you haven’t yet discovered the library’s vast collection of arts and crafting resources, it’s about time - we have many ways to discover the arts - through online databases, our ideaLABs, museum passes and of course, new books are arriving all the time!
CREATE:
Craftsy is the library’s online resource dedicated to creating and includes virtually every craft obsession you can come up with. Patterns, classes and videos are available for every learning style. Sign in with your Denver Public Library card - don’t have one? Get started here with an eCARD!
Visit an ideaLAB to uncover the true maker you are! If 3D printers, laser cutters and recording studios don’t grab your attention, maybe the embroidery machine, sublimation printer or Cricut machine will. The tools available vary from lab to lab, so please check the equipment and software lists to find the space that has what you need.
DISCOVER:
It’s a big arty world out there, and our Museum and Cultural Pass program gives you a low cost way to discover it. Check out the recently added Buffalo Bill Museum (lots of passes!) or Museo de las Americas, located in the heart of the Art District on Santa Fe.
READ:
Our collection experts are always on the lookout for new titles to juice up the library collection - find below a short list of new and forthcoming books that might interest you.
A Vast Horizon: Artists and Lovers, Freedom and War by Anna Thomasson - a story of friendship, love, and the pursuit of art--including Pablo Picasso, Lee Miller, Paul Éluard, and Man Ray--set against the precarious backdrop of the late 1930s, World War II, and its aftermath.
The Renoir Girls: A Hidden History of Art, War & Betrayal by Catherine Ostler - explores the tragic and fascinating fates of the wealthy Jewish Cahen d’Anvers sisters, who were famously painted as children by Pierre-Auguste Renoir. It is a sweeping family saga and a stark warning about the lethal rise of antisemitism.
Art for Everyone: How to Collect Art & Personalize Your Space on Any Budget by Liz Lidgett - if you are looking for an inspiring, beginner-friendly guide to curating and buying artwork without the elitism, this is the perfect read. It demystifies the art-buying process, helping you find meaningful pieces you love.
The Story of Tudor Art: A History of Tudor England Through Its Art and Objects by Christinia Faraday - an engaging and authoritative exploration of the art of the Tudor era, looking at not just paintings and sculpture, but throwing a wider net over the artistic legacy of this profuse age.
Depraved: The Story of Dangerous Art by Daisy Daisy - art can be dangerous—but censorship can be equally catastrophic. Where does this leave us? With wit, fascinating anecdotes, and shrewd analysis, the author crafts a path forward that demands a new understanding of the nature of art itself.
Handmade Horrors: 40 Upcycled Oddities Crafted from Spare Parts and Strange Ideas by Rachel Bennick - 40 oddities are categorized across various mediums—including sculpting, casting, painting, and weaving. You'll find quirky, macabre creations like fleshy-looking donuts, disembodied hands, and twisted floral bouquets that perfectly suit a gothic aesthetic.
Uncovering Antioch: The Ancient City and Its Lost Treasures of Mosaic Art by Robert Kanigel - a thorough account of a key archaeological dig in 1930s Antioch, Syria (now Antakya, Turkey) which was spearheaded by Charles Morey, a “go-getting” Princeton professor fascinated by how Greek and early Roman art had influenced Christian and Byzantine art.
