Award-Winning ArtStir Denver Arts Festival to Be Held at Denver Pavilions Over Memorial Day Weekend

DENVER, May 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- ArtStir Denver, Voted Best New Festival in 2014 by Westword Magazine, will be held at Denver Pavilions in Downtown Denver over Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24. Now in its third year, ArtStir Denver will feature more than 140 local and regional artists representing every arts district in Colorado through ArtStir Denver's partnership with Colorado Creative Industries. The event will showcase a variety of works in painting, photography, illustration, textiles, furnishings, mixed media, and locally designed and handcrafted goods.

This year's event will be bigger and more exciting than ever before. The award-winning Horseshoe Craft and Flea Market, Denver's premiere indie craft market, will run a larger portion of the event and will feature a unique brand of vintage and handmade vendors. Art cars, street vehicles permanently modified as works of art, will be onsite in the Horseshoe Market lot. Art and style demonstrations and performances will take place on the main stage, and all-new cultural activities and hands-on children's activities will be offered. New this year will be the Colorado Craft Pavilion, a dedicated area presented by Hard Rock Cafe Denver that will feature food, small-batch craft beers, and local wine and liquors for sampling and purchase, along with handmade works by local artists and designers.

"ArtStir Denver engages residents, tourists, and the community at large by showcasing 100% Colorado artists, designers, crafters, and creative-focused businesses," said Samuel Schimek, ArtStir Denver's Creative Director. "ArtStir Denver provides economic opportunities to these diverse Colorado-based artisans by offering competitive booth rates and prime consumer access at the Denver Pavilions in the heart of downtown Denver over Memorial Day weekend. It's going to be a fantastic event."

In addition, ArtStir Denver 2015 is excited to announce a new partnership with VSA Colorado/Access Gallery, an inclusive nonprofit organization that engages the community by opening doors to creative, economic and educational opportunities for people with disabilities. ArtStir Denver is committed to making the event fully accessible to people with disabilities who wish to contribute to and experience the arts. ArtStir Denver will donate 20% of all sponsor dollars and event beverage sales to VSA Colorado, and a portion of event programming will focus on inclusion of artists and audiences with disabilities.

ArtStir Denver, in collaboration with AIGA Colorado and VSA Colorado/Access Gallery, will also offer AccesShip scholarships to three young adults age 16-24. Each recipient will gain up to $1,200 in value of access to Denver's creative culture in such areas as painting, sculpture, printmaking, design, photography, video, filmmaking, literature, and performing arts. The scholarship deadline is August 15. More information and an application can be found at www.artstirdenver.com/scholarship.php.

ArtStir Denver has also partnered with AIGA Colorado, a nonprofit with a mission to advance design as a professional craft, strategic tool and vital cultural force. Event sponsors include 7 NEWS, Car2Go, Groove Subaru, Costco and Gart Properties.

More than 100,000 attendees are expected to attend ArtStir Denver 2015. On Saturday, May 23, the event will coincide with the Memorial Day Parade, which will start in Civic Center Park, and the popular Day of Rock concert event (www.denverdayofrock.com) along the 16th Street Mall. On Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24, the event will coincide with Denver Comic Con, held at the Colorado Convention Center (www.denvercomiccon.com). These events are expected to contribute to increased attendance and festivity throughout the weekend.

Hours of operation will be Saturday, May 23, from 11 am - 7 pm, and Sunday, May 24, from 11 am - 6 pm. The two-day arts event will take place rain or shine.

Parking for the event is available in the underground garage at Denver Pavilions located on Welton St. between 15th and 16th Streets (http://denverpavilions.com/parking.php). Metered street parking is also available around Denver Pavilions (free on Sundays). Bicyclists can get a 25% discount from B-Cycle during Memorial Day weekend (use discount code 601). Complementary ArtStir Denver bike racks will be available.

For more information on ArtStir Denver 2015, visit artstirdenver.com.

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SOURCE Denver Pavilions

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