We’re thrilled to share that Cipriano Ortega (he/they), a guest artist at Art from Ashes, is part of the Denver Theatre District’s community artwork project Catalysts! We had a blast at the unveiling on Friday, March 14th and are so excited the piece will be on display for the next two years.
Catalysts is a collage by renowned British-American artist Jann Haworth that features 34 portraits honoring individuals who have been integral in shaping and sustaining Denver’s vibrant arts and culture. Each honoree was nominated by a local arts organization with essays detailing their extraordinary contributions. In June 2024, Haworth led a hands-on workshop to bring these portraits to life, which were then photographed, enlarged, and transformed into a triptych art billboard.
Art from Ashes nominated Denver native Cipriano Ortega. Cipriano is a poet, actor, artist, musician, and educator who has performed at Su Teatro, Curious Theatre, Theatre Group, The Source Theatre Company and the 2017 National New Voices reading festival. He strives to create works of art that probe the mind and make people question what they perceive as the normative. He recently wrote and produced his first full-length play, “Cheyanne”, a dramatic piece that showcases how artists of color navigate the complex and nuanced art world.
Cipriano has been involved with AfA as a guest artist since March 2021. Through their various forms of creative expression, Cipriano provides the young people with inspiration and a glimpse of how they too can use creativity as a means for personal transformation, a career, hobby, advocacy and more! It is truly an honor to have such a talented individual in our Art from Ashes community.
Catalysts is located on the side of the Buell Theatre on Champa Street between 13th Street and 14th Street and will run until 2027. Stop by and see it!
You can learn more about the project and honorees, including Cipriano, at catalystsproject.com.
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