The free September 4 festival features the 20th anniversary Welcome Back exhibition, 12 local artists and makers, live music performance by French Kettle Station, and multiple food vendors
September First Friday Festival
- WHEN: Friday, September 4, 5–9 PM
- WHERE: RiNo ArtPark, 1900 35th St., Denver, CO
- ADMISSION: Free
RSVP: https://rinoartdistrict.multipass.com/first-friday-festival-september
RiNo Art District’s September First Friday Festival returns to RiNo ArtPark on Friday, September 4, bringing a free evening of local art, music, makers, food and community. The evening features the continued presentation of Welcome Back, RiNo Art District’s 20th anniversary exhibition, along with a new lineup of local artists and makers, live music by French Kettle Station, and food vendors throughout the ArtPark. Spanning the RiNo ArtPark Gallery & Welcome Center and the Truss House Event Center/Gallery, Welcome Back remains on view through September 12.
“September’s First Friday offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to experience RiNo’s creative history, discover the artists shaping its future, and explore the unique businesses that make RiNo what it is today,” said Terry Madeksza, Executive Director of the RiNo Business Improvement District. “It’s a fitting way to celebrate the 20th anniversary while recognizing the artists and businesses that continue to shape RiNo.”
Welcome Back is guest-curated by RiNo Art District co-founder Jill Hadley Hooper and emerging Denver curator Jonas Sanchez. Bringing together 58 local artists—from longtime cultural anchors to emerging and DIY-centered voices—the exhibition traces the artist-led, independent spirit that shaped the RiNo Art District from its earliest days and continues to propel its creative community forward.
French Kettle Station is the songwriting and synthesizer-based project of Denver musician Luke Thinnes, active in Denver’s DIY community since 2011. Thinnes creates performances that explore the human condition through sound, songwriting, and cathartic movement. Thinnes leads GLOB, an underground DIY art space and experimental music venue located at 3551 Brighton Blvd, and next door to Squirm Gallery, the former home of now closed and legendary DIY space Rhinoceropolis, Thinnes’ work represents a living expression of the fiercely independent, artist-built culture at the heart of the district.
A fresh lineup of local artists and makers will be featured in an outdoor marketplace, with handmade work including ceramics, jewelry, prints, textiles, woodworking, block prints, original artwork and more, including:
- Athollos Jewelry — Handcrafted jewelry featuring genuine mushrooms foraged in Colorado
- Beijos Brasil — Handwoven jewelry, accessories and home goods made from native Brazilian golden grass by fair-trade artisans
- Bone and Dagger Assorted Mercantile — Bone- and botanical-themed illustrations on apparel, prints, pins, home goods and more
- CR3AM — Original block prints and cyanotype-printed clothing featuring original designs
- Heather Decker — Hand-thrown and hand-painted ceramics, plus colorful ceramic jewelry
- Emerson Art — Original artwork, stickers, cards, prints and more
- William Emerson — Woodworking and mixed-media vases and wall art
- Herb’s Herbs — Original screenprinted designs on upcycled clothing
- Lux + Luca — Handmade jewelry and apparel
- Evan Magill — Handmade metal sculptures
- Nicole Celeste Illustrations — Original artwork and prints featuring portraits, Colorado landscapes and seasonal painted ornaments
- Squirrel Bird Pottery — Functional handmade pottery designed for everyday use
Food will be available for purchase throughout the evening, with options including Indian homestyle food from Tikka N Tiffins, vegan Americana/Filipino fare from Kids Table, Mediterranean street food from B&D’s Mediterranean Street Eats, and Italian ice, gelato and sorbetto from Repicci’s Real Italian Ice & Gelato of Denver. (Please note: participating artists and food vendors are subject to change.)
Admission is free, and visitors who RSVP before September 4 will receive 50% off their first drink at the festival.
RiNo Art District’s First Friday Festivals are presented by KeyBank, with major support from the RiNo Business Improvement District (RiNo BID). Every event supports local artists, makers and creative businesses that make the RiNo Art District a vibrant Creative District.