DAM & Children's Hospital Colorado Host Jackson Pollock Painting Party

On March 11, the DAM and Children’s Hospital Colorado hosted a painting party at the hospital campus in Aurora for patients, families, and staff. Participants created paintings in the style of Jackson Pollock to celebrate the opening of Modern Masters: 20th Century Icons from the Albright-Knox Art Gallery. Pollock is known for dripping, splattering, and pouring paint that created larger-than-life works of art. Children had the opportunity to get messy and create their own version of his masterpiece, Convergence. The completed works of art will be on display at the hospital.

“What it’s all about is self-expression, and the cool thing to me that Jackson Pollock was all about, and I think is important to these kids, is there’s no right or wrong way to do it,” Stefania Van Dyke, the master teacher for Modern Masters said. “They can paint outside the lines, so it’s exciting and it’s a great way to kind of get some energy out.” The event was highlighted in the media, including videos on The Denver Post and CBS4 and a slideshow on 9 News.

The DAM has a three-year strategic partnership with Children's Hospital Colorado, which provides numerous opportunities to collaborate around the power of art. These include the use of the DAM’s Art Tubes with artmaking activities at Children's Hospital Colorado, specialized tours of the DAM for participants in Children's Hospital Colorado Art for Life program, and an annual showcase of patient artwork from the Art For Life program at the DAM.