Anythink and the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art (BMoCA) have partnered for the third year to make arts and culture more accessible to Adams County residents through the BMoCA at Anythink Fall Artist Showcase. Funded in part by the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District and the Kemper Family Foundations, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee, this year’s initiative will feature the captivating work of artist Chelsea Kaiah at Anythink Bennett, Anythink Perl Mack and Anythink Wright Farms.

The artist residency beginning this month, accompanied by a series of installations, aims to illuminate the philosophy and skills behind Kaiah’s creativity. Audiences are invited to experience the intersection of indigenous tradition, contemporary expression and the transformative power of art. All three libraries will feature site-specific installations, hands-on experiences and community outreach days. The showcase will highlight Kaiah’s talent and personal artistic expression, but also act as a bridge between cultures, fostering a deeper understanding of indigenous perspectives. Once the three installations are completed, they will be on display through the end of the year.

“We are tremendously excited for the third iteration of the BMoCA at Anythink Fall Artist Showcase,” says Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art Executive Director + Chief Curator, David Dadone.  “After many years of partnering with Anythink to bring dynamic arts education programs to Adams County, the continuation of our exhibitions program is so important as part of fulfilling our hope to have contemporary art be 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.”

“Earlier this year, Chelsea Kaiah shared her work with Anythinkers during an all-staff training day. We were so captivated by her art and inspired by her representation of indigenous traditions that we wanted an opportunity to share it more widely with the Adams County community,” says Anythink Director of Strategic Partnerships Stacie Ledden. “The BMoCA at Anythink Fall Artist Showcase provides the perfect platform to engage the community around the themes of history, resilience, storytelling and indigenous culture, while celebrating Chelsea’s art. We’re honored to be working with her and our collaborators at BMoCA this fall.”

About the artist
 
Chelsea Kaiah is White River Ute and White Mountain Apache/Irish settler, born on the Northern Ute reservation. She is a passionate activist for Native rights, awareness and sustainability. Her practice involves adapting customary materials and techniques, such as pine needle weaving, porcupine quilling and hide work, to address resilience, mental health, system reformation and means of healing.

Kaiah earned her BFA at Watkins College of Art and Design in Nashville, Tenn. She currently resides in Denver, Colo. In 2022, Kaiah was awarded the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation (NACF) LIFT grant for early career support and was invited to participate in Redline’s Artist-in-Residence program for emerging, contemporary Colorado artists. She also received the Greene Fellowship that supports working artists.

2023 BMoCA at Anythink Fall Artist Showcase Programs

Studio Session with Chelsea Kaiah at Anythink Bennett
Friday, Sept. 22, 10 am-5 pm 
Anythink Bennett, 495 7^th Street, Bennett, CO 80102 

Artist Chelsea Kaiah will be in “the studio” constructing the work for her “Ancestor Head” installation and materials for the final exhibition at Anythink Bennett. Drop by for an informal demonstration of her art practice and say hello to Kaiah while she works.

Trade & Barter Station with Chelsea Kaiah
Saturday, Sept. 23, 10 am-5 pm 
Anythink Bennett, 495 7^th Street, Bennett, CO 80102 
 
In partnership with the Corridor Creative Arts League (CCAL), artist Chelsea Kaiah will host a trade and barter station, a culturally important hub for indigenous communities and homesteaders alike. The station features artwork, beads, spices, poems and other goods that the community shares, barters and trades. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own wares to trade.

Studio Session with Chelsea Kaiah at Anythink Wright Farms
Tuesday, Sept. 26 & Wednesday, Sept. 27, 1-6 pm
Anythink Wright Farms, 5877 E. 120^th Ave., Thornton, CO 80602 

Artist Chelsea Kaiah will be in “the studio” constructing the work for her “Ancestor Head” installation and materials for the final exhibition at Anythink Wright Farms. Drop by for an informal demonstration of her art practice and say hello to Kaiah while she works.

Workshop with Chelsea Kaiah at Anythink Wright Farms
Friday, Sept. 29, 1-5 pm
Anythink Wright Farms, 5877 E. 120^th Ave., Thornton, CO 80602

Join artist Chelsea Kaiah and participate in the creation and construction of the 2023 BMoCA at Anythink Fall Artist Showcase installation at Anythink Wright Farms. Gain insight into her practice as a working artist focused on indigenous tradition and practices. No advanced registration necessary.

Studio Session with Chelsea Kaiah at Anythink Perl Mack
Friday, Oct. 6, 11 am-4 pm
Anythink Perl Mack, 7611 Hilltop Circle, Denver, CO 80221 

Artist Chelsea Kaiah will be in “the studio” constructing the work for her installation and materials for the final exhibition at Anythink Perl Mack. Drop by for an informal demonstration of her art practice and say hello to Kaiah while she works.

Workshop with Chelsea Kaiah at Anythink Perl Mack
Saturday, Oct. 7, 11 am-4 pm
Anythink Perl Mack, 7611 Hilltop Circle, Denver, CO 80221 

Join artist Chelsea Kaiah and participate in the creation and construction of the 2023 BMoCA at Anythink Fall Artist Showcase installation at Anythink Perl Mack. Gain insight into her practice as a working artist focused on indigenous tradition and practices. No advanced registration necessary.

Studio Session with Chelsea Kaiah at Anythink Perl Mack
Tuesday, Oct. 10, 12-5 pm
Anythink Perl Mack, 7611 Hilltop Circle, Denver, CO 80221 

Artist Chelsea Kaiah will be in “the studio” constructing the work for her installation and materials for the final exhibition at Anythink Perl Mack. Drop by for an informal demonstration of her art practice and say hello to Kaiah while she works.

Opening Reception at Anythink Wright Farms
Thursday, Nov. 2, 5-7 pm
Anythink Wright Farms, 5877 E. 120^th Ave., Thornton, CO 80602

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month and the opening of installations by artist Chelsea Kaiah. Enjoy music, food and activities, and learn about indigenous culture as the BMoCA at Anythink Fall Artist Showcase continues.