Denver Art Museum, 2025.Courtesy/Denver Art Museum
DAM News:
DENVER — The Denver Art Museum (DAM) is delighted to announce an engaging lineup of Colorado creatives and artists for the 2026 season of Untitled: Artist Takeover events. The new year of Artist Takeover programs will continue to highlight artist collaborators’ roles in developing these exciting quarterly opportunities for creative celebration.
Untitled events connect the community with regional artists and creatives, offering immersive programming featuring performances, artmaking and one-of-a-kind experiences along with the opportunity for connecting and socializing. Each event is led by a duo of artists and selected collaborators, showcasing the artists’ perspectives and practices and providing a unique lens into the museum’s collections and exhibitions, activating the museum in participatory ways.
“Every year we get excited to welcome a new cohort of artists from the community to take over the museum. It’s one of many ways we remind the community that the Denver Art Museum is the community’s museum,” said Heather Nielsen, Chief Learning and Engagement Officer and Deputy Director of the Denver Art Museum. “We can’t wait for everyone to meet and engage with these incredible local artists. We hope that visitors take from this experience that Denver has one of the best arts scenes in the country, and everyone has a voice and can use art to express themselves in a way that is meaningful to them.”
Untitled 2026 kicked off January 30, 2026, headlined by visual artist Tya Alisa Anthony and performing artist ANALUNA. Anthony’s work delves into themes of domestic resilience, social justice, human rights and identity, utilizing sculptural painting, photography, and collage to refocus the narratives of people of color. By highlighting the social, economic, and natural environments of her subjects, Anthony reimagines historical narratives, creating autonomous spaces for bodies of color and using core memories as a form of catharsis. ANALUNA is a multi-disciplinary artist who seamlessly blends her skills as a violinist, mandolin player, immersive performer, singer and movement artist to create captivating and innovative experiences for all audiences.
“Our Untitled lineups are full of exciting energy, individuality and personality and we hope visitors can connect with the artists and their works to find new ways to express themselves,” Sarah Rockett, Manager of Creative and Public Engagement said.
All museum spaces and exhibitions are open during Untitled and featured exhibitions during the 2026 Untitled season will include Pissarro’s Impressionism, Andrea Carlson: A Constant Sky, Stars We Do Not See, What We’ve Been Up To: People, Fuse Box: Sarah Sze, A Century of Art in Latin America, Rupprecht Matthies: ¿Being Home?, Gio Ponti: Designer of a Thousand Talents, The Tangled Self, Southwest Impressions: Prints from the Barbara J. Thompson Collection, Conversation Pieces: Stories from the Fashion Archives, Eyes On: Susan Wick, By Design: Stories and Ideas Behind Objects, DIVA, Sustained! The Persistent Genius of Indigenous Art as well as Islands Beyond Blue: Niki Hastings-McFall and Treasures from the Oceania Collection. DIVA is a ticketed exhibition and additional ticket purchase is required for entry. Also on view are the Arts of Africa and Modern and Contemporary Art galleries.
Featured artists for the 2026 Untitled: Artist Takeover series are listed below. For the most up-to-date information and specific program details, visit www.denverartmuseum.org.
JANUARY 30 | 6-10 p.m.
Tya Alisa Anthony – An interdisciplinary artist and independent curator focused on human rights and social justice through sculptural painting, photography and collage.
ANALUNA – A multi-disciplinary artist who is a violinist, mandolin player, immersive performer, singer and movement artist.
APRIL 24 | 6-10 p.m.
Leilani Derr – A multi-media visual artist who explores thought-provoking themes of belonging, cultural connections and empowerment through whimsical illustrations. She draws her inspiration from an interweaving of her multi-cultural “hapa” upbringing, relentless curiosity and power of artist advocacy.
Sueyuen Juliette Lee – A Korean American poet whose work focuses on birthright, homeland and identity.
JULY 31 | 6-10 p.m.
Lilian Lara – A mixed media artist who specializes in costume design, paper mache installations and ‘rascuache’ art. Her art leans on the dramatic and creates an outrageous display of pageantry out of the everyday.
Elle Hong – An antidisciplinary artist currently based in Cheyenne/Ute/Arapaho territories (Denver, CO). Her performance art spans across dance, media, text, sound and pedagogy and often employs queer/diasporic collaging techniques for performances.
OCTOBER 30 | 6-10 p.m.
Mother Valentino with the Kiki House of Flora – House of Flora is part of the “kiki” subset of ball culture. Kiki balls are known to be less competitive than traditional balls, they’re more youth-centric and meant to be more economically accessible. Valentino Valentine, the house Mother, who works as a software engineer when they’re not voguing, believes in creating a space for members of his chosen family to convene in the name of creative expression.
Untitled: Artist Takeover is included in general admission, which is free for museum members and everyone 18 and under thanks to the Free for Kids program. Museum audiences are encouraged to check the museum’s website and social media using #UntitledDAM—to learn more.
Untitled: Artist Takeover is made possible by the residents who support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD).
Planning Your Visit
The most up-to-date information on planning a visit to the Denver Art Museum can be found online under the Plan Your Visit tab. Use this page to find details on ticket pricing, public transit options and access information. General admission for museum members is free every day. Youth aged 18 and under receive free general admission everyday thanks to the museum’s Free for Kids program. Free for Kids also underwrites free admission for school and youth group visits.
About the Denver Art Museum
The Denver Art Museum is an educational, nonprofit resource that sparks creative thinking and expression through transformative experiences with art. Its mission is to enrich lives by sparking creative thinking and expression. Its holdings reflect the city and region—and provide invaluable ways for the community to learn about cultures from around the world. Metro residents support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), a unique funding source serving hundreds of metro Denver arts, culture and scientific organizations. For museum information, visit www.denverartmuseum.org or call 720.865.5000.