Founded in 1990, the chapter – then called AIGA Denver – came to life immediately. The board invited speakers from around the country, hosted national exhibitions, and even launched a student chapter. Chapter founder Mark Hanger sought to provide a forum where designers could connect with other designers and industry professionals while exposing the Colorado design community to the rest of the country.
AIGA Colorado kicked off out 25th anniversary celebration with an exhibit celebrating the impact the chapter has had on the local community through 25 years of design. Held at the McNichols Building, the exhibit is divided into five sections, beginning with the chapter’s founding, and moving through work that has had an impact nationally, locally, and within the design community, including the hosting of the AIGA Design Archives at the Denver Art Museum. It concludes with an exploration of all the places design can be found at work through AIGA, supporting social, cultural and political change. The exhibit remains open for public viewing through December 7, 2014.
“Denver is a city of the 21st century,” says Ric Grefé, AIGA’s Executive Director. “It has a growing sector of innovators and entrepreneurs; an enlightened approach to the issues design will address in the new century, and a cultural community whose interest in art and design is greater than its collections.” This is why the Denver Art Museum was selected as the home for the AIGA Design Archives.
While the Colorado chapter celebrates its 25th anniversary, the national organization celebrates its centennial. To commemorate both occasions here in Denver, AIGA Colorado and the Design Council of the Denver Art Museum are collaborating on a new event: Chaircuterie. This festive event will showcase 100 original works of chair-art and will support AIGA Colorado’s mentorship programs, as well as the Denver Art Museum’s Department of Architecture, Design and Graphics, steward of the AIGA Design Archives. Tickets are available here.
AIGA Colorado’s year-long celebration will wind down with a gala in June 2015, awarding the coveted AIGA Fellow Award. This award recognizes two designers of national distinction who have made a significant contribution to the standards of excellence in practice and conduct within their design community, as well as in their AIGA chapter.
