Open Wall

What if we told you for one night only, you could walk into an award-winning museum and find a child’s painting next to one from a famous artist? 

When you walk into the Open Wall event upstairs at Boulder Contemporary Museum of Art on Friday, March 14, that is exactly what you will experience. Whether it’s a first-time artist’s best clay sculpture next to an extravagant oil painting or a large textile next to a page from an ornate coloring book, Open Wall is for everyone! 

Kate Fitzpatrick, an artist that has participated in Open Wall for the past few years, feels strongly about the event. “Every museum should do this one weekend,” Fitzpatrick said. “It’s exactly what art is all about.” 

Open Wall is a space for local artists to share their passions and connect with the community. The goal of Open Wall is to spotlight and support local artists while raising funds for BMoCA and the local art community, says Jennifer Chaparro, the Marketing Manager at BMoCA. 

“These are all local artists at different levels of their careers,” Chaparro said. “You get to see the wide variety of art that is currently being produced in the Boulder area. It’s a self-curated community art exhibition and sale. And we invite anyone who creates art to participate.” 

This year, Open Wall will be a one night only event. Admission is free for artists, and they will install their own art on the day of the event. Admission for attendees runs on a “pay from your heart” philosophy. This means attendees will choose the amount for their admission fee, allowing everyone to give what they feel comfortable with. Proceeds from all sales will be split 50/50 between artists and BMoCA. If artists are a member of BMoCA, they will receive 60% and 40% will go to BMoCA. 

Regardless of whether you’re an artist or an attendee, make sure to show up early. Because the line to enter this community-curated show typically stretches around the block. 

Fitzpatrick is a local Colorado artist that participated in Open Wall for the past three years. When she moved to Colorado about four years ago, she had never heard of an event like Open Wall. “It is egalitarian — literally anybody can come in, line up, and put their stuff up which I love, Fitzpatrick said. “Some people bring enormous pieces that take up a whole wall. Other people bring small pieces.” 

Over the years, Kate has learned what works for her and what doesn’t at Open Wall. Her first few years at the event, she brought larger pieces and did not sell anything. However, this past year, she brought smaller wildlife paintings and sold everything that she brought. 

For one night only on Friday, March 14 from 6-9 pm, join the party and see and buy some great local art. We promise you will be pleasantly surprised!