Denver's Art District on Santa Fe

Denver's Art District on Santa Fe is a neighborhood with more than 30 galleries and artist studios spread across several blocks. The buildings mix old industrial structures with new creative spaces, and many studios have their doors open to the street.

The area began as an industrial zone with railroads and warehouses in the late 1800s. Starting in the early 2000s, artists moved into empty buildings and gradually transformed the neighborhood into a creative hub.

The neighborhood comes alive on First Friday evenings when galleries open their doors and artists demonstrate their work in the street. People gather here to see what local creators are making and to meet them face to face.

Free parking is available along Santa Fe Drive, and the RTD light rail station at 10th and Osage provides public transit access. The neighborhood is most active on weekends and particularly lively on First Friday evenings.

Many artists share studio spaces in cooperatives where several creators work side by side and show their work together. This model allows smaller artists to afford studio space while learning from one another.