Meet Holly Chapman of Denver Art Society

Today we’d like to introduce you to Holly Chapman.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The Denver Art Society was founded in August of 2009 by a small group of poets, artists and musicians. DAS has always been a non-profit organization run only by volunteers. It is an all-inclusive, all accessible, public community art space at the heart of the Art District on Santa Fe in Denver – an arts/cultural district in the La Alma/Lincoln Park neighborhood with rich culture and deep Latinx roots, and today a diverse population.
Over the last 16 years DAS has grown to exhibit more than 110 visual artists and houses an incredible music council who coordinates events every weekend showcasing local and traveling musicians; Open Mic Night, DJ Night, Drum Circles, to name a few, all while providing affordable studio space for local artists, classes to the community, and collaborating with businesses to find out of the box ways help people learn and grow in their creative expression.
We are very proud of our artistic range as we have such a unique and eclectic group of artists. If you don’t know what style you like, I’m confident you will find it in here. We also have a wide price range of artwork. Our average is about $30 but you’ll find anything from stickers and prints to original works over $1000.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not. I challenge you to take a group of artists and give them rules that may affect their work and how its displayed. LOL I am a baby in my time here at DAS but I have seen the growing pains of this community. The pandemic brought a lot of creatives out of the woodwork because people had time to explore that side of themselves. In turn, once the gallery opened back up, beginner artists wanted a place to step out of the house and take their work to the next level. What better place than the Denver Art Society. Due to this our 4,000 sq ft gallery was exploding with new members. DAS had never experienced a need to have a cap on the number of members, but we had to close membership after hitting 134 exhibiting artists. This meant that after closing membership we still had people in the process so by the time it was done we hit an insane number of 154 exhibiting artists. This was a very stressful time as we couldn’t give artists the space they deserved to hang their work. Tension was high and changes to accommodate everyone was extremely difficult on everyone, but those that really hung in there, were flexible, and embraced the community spirit really thrived.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an assemblage sculptor who gives a new story to things discarded, neglected or left behind. I love bringing together objects that don’t seem to belong and using that juxtaposition to create a unique story.
I believe what sets me apart from other assemblage sculptors is my ability to adjust and pivot when something isn’t working. I have worked hard to overcome the fear of preciousness in these objects, many feeling one of a kind, so I can let the story unfold on its own.
One of my proudest moments was when I won first place for “VIP” and second place for “People’s Choice” in the mannequin decorating competition collaboration with DAS and the Colfax Marathon in 2024. I had been in a car accident before this competition, but I had a vision and was determined to complete it.
I also have to add how proud I am to be a part of DAS. I joined because my husband said I needed somewhere to put my sculptures, after 6 months I joined the board taking over as Curation Coordinator, and after almost two years doing that, I made the leap to take over as the Chair/President of the Denver Art Society. I have learned so much from this community and find more fulfillment in watching artists grow, collaborate, and give of themselves, than I ever did in any paying job.

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory is when I was 9 or 10 years old, I competed in an M&M coloring competition. I would get a couple of coloring sheets from the gas station and then drop them off in the contest box when I was done. I don’t remember what place I came in because I was SO excited to have won anything, but I received a M&M watch. My mom says it was first place but I’m not sure she’s right about that. lol

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.denverartsociety.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_denver_art_society
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DenverArtSociety
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/denver-art-society
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/denverart
• Other: https://www.meetup.com/Denver-Art-Societ/

Image Credits
Front of building image by Ashley Allen
All other images by Andrew Piper