Anythink and the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA) have partnered to bring inspirational collaborative art projects to three of Anythink’s libraries. Funded in part by support from BMoCA, the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District and the Anythink Foundation, the BMoCA at Anythink Fall Artist Showcase helps to make arts and culture more accessible to Adams County residents. From September through November, local artists Alejandra Abad, Juan Fuentes and Armando Silva will collaborate with community members to create public art pieces in varying mediums. Through workshops, artists’ residencies and exhibitions, community members of all ages will have the opportunity to explore their curiosity and celebrate their creativity.

The BMoCA at Anythink Fall Artist Showcase launches with Alejandra Abad, an interdisciplinary artist who builds upon her “Our Wishes” project at Anythink Wright Farms in Thornton, Colo. As part of this textile piece, community members are encouraged to share their messages of hope online or in-person at the library. Abad will transfer those wishes onto flags to be hung throughout Anythink Wright Farms. As an artist-in-residence, Abad will share her creative process with library visitors through drop-in sessions and community workshops in September.

In October, documentary photographer Juan Fuentes spearheads a collaborative photography project at Anythink Bennett to celebrate the immigrant and Spanish-speaking communities of the Eastern Plains. Funded by the Anythink Foundation, this photography series will highlight the everyday experiences of community members in Bennett, Colo., while encouraging continued opportunities for engagement at the library. 

The BMoCA at Anythink Fall Artist Showcase will conclude with painter, muralist and performer Armando Silva at Anythink Huron Street in Thornton, Colo., throughout November. Silva will work primarily with local teens in engaging workshops. Taking inspiration from these workshops and conversations, Silva will create an interior mural for all to enjoy at Anythink Huron Street.

“After many years of partnering with Anythink to bring dynamic arts education programs to Adams County, we are tremendously excited for the inaugural year of the BMoCA at Anythink exhibition program,” says BMoCA Deputy Director Gwyneth Burak. “We believe that contemporary art is a catalyst for creative and educational experiences. We’re so grateful to have Anythink as our partner to engage, inspire and delight Adams County residents through contemporary art for years to come.”

“Art is an important lens for community members of all ages to further connect with learning, culture and expression,” says Anythink Director of Strategic Partnerships Stacie Ledden. “We know people look to the library as a convener for meaningful experiences. By partnering with BMoCA and local artists, we’re excited to continue to expand these opportunities while establishing Adams County as a destination for arts and culture.”

Further details on exhibitions and current workshops to follow in coming weeks. For the latest information, visit anythinklibraries.org.

About the artists

Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Alejandra Abad is an interdisciplinary visual artist with a penchant for dense, abstract shapes and fantastical landscapes. Her work centers around collaborative projects, immersive installations, collages and animation that reflect her identity and values.

Juan Fuentes is a documentary photographer born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and based in Denver. His work captures everyday life from a lower-class point of view and tells stories of contemporary America, highlighting the Latinx and Chicano experience. Fuentes has exhibited his work in many galleries and institutions across Denver along with the photography collective Theyshootn.

Armando Silva is a painter, muralist and performer who uses his artistic abilities to tell powerful stories, build community and inspire audiences through art. His large-scale mural installations provide communities with a way to communicate messages that can’t always be expressed with words. As a recipient of a Governor’s Creative Leadership award from Colorado Creative Industries, Silva is celebrated for his collaborations with cities, non-profits, businesses and educators across the state and beyond.

BMoCA at Anythink Fall Artist Showcase

Sept.-Nov., 2021

Sept. 2021 ­– Alejandra Abad at Anythink Wright Farms (5877 E. 120^th Ave., Thornton, CO 80602)

Oct. 2021 – Juan Fuentes at Anythink Bennett (495 7^th St. Bennett, CO 80102)

Nov. 2021 – Armando Silva at Anythink Huron Street (9417 Huron St., Thornton, CO 80260)

This fall, explore the artistic process through engaging collaborative art projects. The Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA) and Anythink have partnered to bring three inspirational artists to the library. Through workshops, artists’ residencies and exhibitions, discover opportunities that spark your curiosity and celebrate creativity.  The BMoCA at Anythink Fall Artist Showcase is funded in part by SCFD and the Anythink Foundation. Learn more about current workshops and exhibitions at anythinklibraries.org/fall-artist-showcase.