Entry No. 22 — the Denver file — filed under: art

The Art Garage

It's a working nonprofit art studio crammed into an old converted mechanic's garage on a Park Hill corner — floor-to-ceiling chalkboards, cabinets of supplies, and the bones of the original garage still showing. Founder Barb McKee built it as a place where 'everyone is an artist,' and the Adult Open Studio nights (roughly 5:30-8:30pm) let grown-ups just show up, grab materials, and make something with no class to sign up for. Almost nobody outside the immediate neighborhood knows the adult drop-in nights exist; most people assume it's kids-only summer camps. Check their site for the current Open Studio dates before you go.

The move: Hit an Adult Open Studio night together, claim a corner of a chalkboard wall, and make something dumb and good with the studio's materials — low stakes, hands busy, lots to talk about.

📍 Before you go It sits on a residential Park Hill corner — look for the squat former mechanic's garage, not a gallery storefront, and do not expect a big sign. There is on-site and free neighborhood street parking, but this is a working studio on a quiet block, so park considerately and keep it low-key for the neighbors. Materials are provided, so come empty-handed and dressed to get a little messy. The grown-up drop-in evenings run only on select dates, so check the calendar ahead. Pair it with the cafes and shops down on 23rd, or a walk through nearby City Park.

• 📍 Park Hill
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Indoors

Where: 6100 E 23rd Ave, Denver, CO 80207 (inside a converted former mechanic's garage)

Hours: Adult Open Studio runs as a recurring evening event (about 5:30-8:30pm) rather than fixed daily hours; confirm the next date on artgaragedenver.com or by calling (303) 377-2353. Classes/camps are scheduled separately.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Further reading: Official site · Yelp · visitdenver.com

last checked: 2026-06-07