Hidden Gems: Meet Melanie Damore of Denver Art Days

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melanie Damore.

Hi Melanie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Through every phase of my life, the one thing that has remained consistent is my deep-rooted interest in Visual Art. During the last decade in the public school system, I taught Fine Art to every grade PK-12, along with technical education, outdoor education, and graphic design.

Though I loved sharing my passions and fostering the same in children, it felt like the overall trajectory of the next 25 years had been determined for me; my subject matter, day-to-day, and ultimately my salary. Feeling suffocated by this plateau and wanting more, in 2022, I took a huge leap of faith and started my own business called Denver Art Days.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I am very grateful for two difficult life-changing pivots. First, I was rejected by so many undergraduate Fine Arts programs that I ended up taking an academic scholarship down south to study Environmental Science instead.

It seemed financially responsible to take this merit scholarship, avoid my life as a “starving artist”, and ultimately it made my parents happy. It only lasted one semester before I felt the strongest intuition that I needed to pursue Art regardless of the struggles that it might cause. I spent the following three years taking 18 credits per semester and working three jobs, just to catch up, but learned how to work incredibly hard, became an artist, and graduated at the top of my class.

Fast forward to 2020, I got an amazing job teaching my Art curriculum at a brand new STEM school in Colorado. I was living my dreams out west, hiking, backpacking, and camping more than ever. After only 8 months in the state, I essentially broke both of my legs. I went from being in the best emotional and physical shape of my life and happier than I’ve ever been, to surgeries, months in pain, dependence on others, physical therapy, and trying to figure out how to walk “normally” again.

But here’s the thing… I wouldn’t change anything. Losing my mobility taught me to never take anything for granted, especially my health. I am so fortunate as long as long as I have that. I am now more confident that I am capable of chasing my dreams and growing through adversity.

As you know, we’re big fans of Denver Art Days. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Denver Art Days is a unique paint-and-sip style company that hosts a wide variety of fine art workshops all over Denver and its surrounding areas.

What sets my business apart is my workshops provide opportunities to learn several art mediums and processes including paint, watercolor, ink, charcoal, clay, resin, pastels, oils, and so much more. I use my vast experiences as a K-12 Art Teacher to be an effective and engaging visual arts educator in our community.

Most of Denver Art Day’s workshops take place at breweries with adults, but we also offer private parties, multi-week workshops, corporate events, and private lessons. All of our workshops are beginner-level but cumulative, so the more workshops you attend, the better of an artist you will become. We strive to foster life-long hobbies, offer accessible materials, create a community of practicing creatives, and prove to so many that they CAN create art.

I am so proud of the business I have built from the ground up and even more excited to watch it continue to grow.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
I am always looking for new faces in the Denver community to join my classes. The more people that join, the more classes I can offer, teachers I can hire, neighborhoods I can serve, breweries I can partner with, and non-profit organizations I can support through donation classes.

I would love for everyone reading this to check out my workshops on socials, sign up for a class, or even mention my classes to others. If you do attend one, sharing your experience with me or through reviews is very appreciated. I am working harder than ever to provide the best experiences for my guests and I welcome all feedback and suggestions to make Denver Art Days amazing for all.

Pricing:

• 2-D Workshops $25-$30
• 3-D Workshops $40-50
• Custom Paint By Number Workshops $40-50

Contact Info:

• Website: www.denverartdays.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/denverartdays/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denverartdays/
• Other: www.melaniedamore.com