Muralist Armando Silva is the final artist featured in the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art at Anythink Fall Artist Showcase. This November at Anythink Huron Street in Thornton, Colo., Silva shares his mural project “SOMOS” with the Adams County community. “SOMOS” – the Spanish word for “we are”– encourages self-exploration through art, poetry and language.

Silva is a painter, muralist and performer. As a recipient of a Governor’s Creative Leadership Award from Colorado Creative Industries, Silva has been celebrated for his collaborative work with cities, non-profits, businesses and educators. Silva is the third and final artist to be featured as part of the BMoCA at Anythink Fall Artist Showcase, which includes textile artist Alejandra Abad at Anythink Wright Farms and photographer Juan Fuentes at Anythink Bennett.

In October, Silva conducted a series of workshops with local teens, the themes of which have inspired the interior mural being installed at Anythink Huron Street. At those workshops, teens had the opportunity to reflect on, define and share their identity and life experiences. Silva guided creative self-awareness activities including sketching self-portraits and writing. Silva also shared his own story as a bicultural, bilingual muralist. This residency and exhibition are an example of how Anythink engages with children and teens in creative ways and serves as a place where everyone can grow and thrive.

This powerful, spanning mural contains imagery that culture, heritage, pride, family, friendship, love, nature, growth and success. The focal point of the mural is a young luchador; the work incorporates other images including homes, books, birds, cairns, plants, mountains and Mother Earth.

“At Anythink, one of our core values is that ‘Everyone is creative.’ Our partnership with the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art has been so important to achieving our goal of making art and artists accessible to all. By highlighting artists like Armando Silva, the library can inspire young creatives, provide a vehicle for expression, and amplify the voices of our teen members,” says Stacie Ledden, director of strategic partnerships at Anythink. “This partnership and Silva’s work also show that art is not always something hidden behind glass, and it is essential for building community connections.”

The Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art at Anythink Fall Artist Showcase is made possible by support from BMoCA, the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District and the Anythink Foundation. More information is available at anythinklibraries.org/fallartistshowcase.

- Event Details -

“SOMOS” Exhibition Unveiling with Armando Silva

Saturday, Nov. 13, 11 am-1 pm  

Anythink Huron Street, 9417 Huron St., Thornton, CO 80260

View the richly illustrated mural, meet the artist and participate in interactive art programming. Free and open to all. Light refreshments will be available.