Check Out Michael Vacchiano’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Vacchiano.

Hi Michael, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was about to graduate from college and had no idea what I was going to do next. A friend of mine, from when I lived in New York, showed up in town and talked me into opening my first gallery with him. It was a little hole in the wall on Santa Fe Drive that we called Stain Gallery. It didn’t last very long—we were only open for about a year—but it was my introduction into the Denver art scene where I established my roots as an artist and have been a part of the community ever since.

Several years after Stain Gallery closed, I opened Point Gallery on Santa Fe and then a smaller storefront studio across the street for my own collection, Vacchiano | Art. Most recently, I cofounded Satellite Exhibition Services, an art consultation, installation and design company that I still run today.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I don’t think it’s ever a smooth road for an artist. Not necessarily because of obstacles but because we’re always learning at different times in life mean you’re saying different things with your work. So, I’d say it’s a winding road, maybe more of the scenic route. But that’s ok, that’s where the art comes from.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’ve worn many different hats over the course of my art career—gallery manager, curator, business owner, installation designer—but, most importantly, artist. It’s always surprised me how much my background as an artist feeds into all these other roles. When I was younger, like right out of college, I always thought, ‘I’m an artist, I create art.’ And that’s certainly true, but as my own art has developed over the years, I realize how much being an artist feeds into how you view everything and how this is advantageous in so many ways that I never realized. My work is often alluded to as Western. I, however, refer to my style as Alt-Western and in my mind, there is a very distinct difference.

To me, the notion of something being “western” is a uniquely American concept and the allegorical narrative of my work speaks to that American experience. For example, the white horse depicted in my paintings symbolizes freedom as the quintessential American ideal. There is often a hint of violence suggested in these pieces because it reflects the anger and turmoil with which our country is struggling today and how our freedoms can so quickly, and subtly, become threatened. Just as it can cause uneasiness or sorrow to see something pure and beautiful under attack—like a white horse shot through with an arrow—there is a lot going on today that makes me think, ‘wow, here we are’ and that’s what I want to come across in my work.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Denver has a wonderful and supportive art community. Most recently I’ve been privileged to be part of an amazing group of artists at the BRDG Project Gallery. We’ve been working with local real estate companies to allow us to host art exhibits in empty storefronts downtown. It’s a diverse group where everyone brings something to the table. Typically we each take turns holding the reins on our own projects, then the group rallies together to see it come to fruition. Some of our projects have been the True West show, Yard Art, The Space Between and Art War. So far it’s been a great success and the kind of experience that makes me really appreciate this city.

Contact Info:

• Email: michael@vacchianoart.com
• Website: VacchianoArt.com
• Instagram: @vacchianoart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VacchianoArt

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