GUIDE TO BOULDER GALLERIES

An Art Lover’s Guide to Local Galleries

From a gallery that has an adjoining art bar to host artist talks and other events to a hidden gem in a warehouse on the edge of town, Boulder is brimming with wonderful and unique art galleries that are worth discovering. Here are six of the premier art galleries around town that are bidding for your attention whether you’re a first-time art buyer looking for a special piece or a serious art collector looking to grow your at-home gallery.

By Brittany Anas

PHOTO COURTESY OF R GALLERY & ART BAR

R GALLERY & ART BAR 2027 BROADWAY (303) 444-4146 RGALLERY.ART

With a mantra of “fine art for everyone,” R Gallery & Art Bar showcases a variety of artists spanning different mediums and styles. The gallery — which is a block off Pearl Street and is open every day — is a space where both emerging and established local artists can showcase and sell their paintings, drawings, sculptures, jewelry and more. R Gallery is a great place to find a piece of local art that captures Boulder and greater Colorado’s natural beauty. Among R Gallery’s artists is Colorado painter Topher Straus, whose large-scale impressionistic pieces feature national park landscapes like that of Mesa Verde and other iconic and recognizable nature sites close to home, including Boulder’s own Flatirons, as well as Hanging Lake and the crimson Garden of the Gods. Photographer Carol Walker captures striking images of stallions in beautiful landscapes and Boulder artist Anne Gifford (a poster artist for the Bolder Boulder) creates vibrant, layered watercolors that showcase Boulder’s beauty. The addition of the Art Bar has created a lovely community gathering space where art lovers can enjoy artist talks, poetry nights, dance events, live performances, demos and more. The bar serves Colorado craft beers and kombucha, fine wines from Italy, France and California, plus sodas and teas. The art bar recently started serving charcuterie and desserts, as well. R Gallery has new exhibits every four to six weeks, so there’s always new work to see, says owner and photographer Rob Lantz.

PHOTO COURTESY OF SMITHKLEIN GALLERY

SMITHKLEIN GALLERY 1116 PEARL ST. (303) 444-7200 SMITHKLEIN.COM

The SmithKlein Gallery is a Boulder institution that, for more than 35 years, has been exhibiting the work of distinguished artists from around the country. With a prime location on Pearl Street, the 2,800-square-foot space excels when it comes to ambiance: It’s outfitted with high ceilings, wood floors and ample natural light from tall windows, all amazing elements for showing off the artwork. Owned and managed by Nathan Klein and his wife Ann Klein, who is the marketing and graphic designer for the gallery, the gallery is in its second generation of ownership. Nathan’s mother Deborah SmithKlein opened the gallery as an expression of her passion for fine art. The gallery’s currently exhibiting professional artist Lyudmila Agrich, who has a unique “expressionistic impressionism” style. She trades a palette knife for a painting brush to create bold and bright images of nature, flowers and people. She focuses on intimate moments in ordinary life to evoke feelings, with pieces that capture a cozy European bistro, autumn in Soho and the glow of Times Square.

ART + SOUL GALLERY 1505 PEARL ST. (303) 544-5803 ARTANDSOULBOULDER.COM

For art you can wear, head to Art + Soul Gallery, where, in addition to fine art, you’ll discover an impressive global collection of designer jewelry. Here, you’ll find gems like gold pendants and earrings from Celine D’Aoust, a designer who juxtaposes rough and precious elements and draws inspiration from nature and the symbolic values of the stones she uses. Her handmade pieces include tourmalines and sun eyes. Or, shop from John Varvatos’ rock n’ roll jewelry, whether it’s brass guitar pick pendant or distressed silver cufflinks. Or, Sweetbird Studio’s playful jewelry is made from stones and baubles, as well as recycled tins and found objects. Art + Soul also has its signature Soulmate Collection, which is a curated selection of alternative wedding and commitment jewelry that includes a variety of ethically mined and lab-grown stones. The intimate gallery, which is a half-block off the Pearl Street Mall, has fine art exhibitions featuring contemporary artists from emerging artists in the area, with solo shows changing bi-monthly. Art + Soul Gallery also sells luxe hand-painted and dyed yarns created by talented artisans.

PHOTO COURTESY OF ART + SOUL GALLERY

MARY WILLIAMS FINE ART 5311 WESTERN AVE., SUITE 112 (303) 938-1588 MARYWILLIAMSFINEARTS.COM

Nicknamed “The Secret Garden,” this warehouse gallery is a special space on the outskirts of east Boulder that’s filled with amazing art and that connects collectors with fine artists from around the country. The gallery started out in 1996 as a spot to find antique prints and maps, as well as custom framing. Over the years, the gallery has grown and today represents around 100 fine artists. The gallery houses paintings, prints and sculptures from artists across the country and also boasts a rare collection of antique prints and maps, some dating back to the 1700s. The gallery also offers art and framing design for projects of any size. Mary Williams Fine Art does special commissions, facilitating meetings between customers and represented artists so you can purchase a personalized piece unique to your home or office. The gallery also offers in-home consultation and installations to help your art make a statement.

REMBRANDT YARD ART GALLERY & EVENT CENTER 1301 SPRUCE ST. (303) 301-2972 REMBRANDTYARD.COM

Rembrandt Yard is an art gallery that doubles as a beautiful events space. The 6,500-square-foot gallery showcases the work of Colorado and international artists in one stunning exhibit. One especially powerful exhibit is the Aboriginal series from Australia that showcases stories told by the Aboriginal people through art. All the pieces in the gallery are available for purchase, which very well means you may come for a wedding or a meeting and find the next “it” piece for your living room. You can view the current exhibit free of charge Mondays through Saturdays between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., but it’s a good idea to call in advance in case the gallery is closed for a private event.

15TH STREET GALLERY 1708 15TH ST. (303) 447-2841 15THSTREETGALLERYBOULDER.COM

A contemporary art gallery located in Boulder’s “15th Street Design District,” the 15th Street Gallery represents many museum-track contemporary artists. You’ll also find artwork from some exceptional emerging local artists at this gallery (make an appointment before visiting). While the exhibitions rotate throughout the year, the gallery consistently has a wide range of media, including oil paintings, woodcuts, hybrid collages, wood sculptures and lithographs. 15th Street gallery is also a premier spot for custom framing, trusted by artists, museums, and collectors for more than three decades.