Westword's annual highly unscientific Best Of 2018 awards were announced, and Denver's street art got some love. Our favorite inclusion was in the Best Place to Instagram in Denver. No surprise to us, it's down in the RiNo arts district where the street art provides even the lamest of people the coolest of backdrops. Ooh, Clarendon or Juno? Nah, let's go #nofilter.
(Wanna learn the story behind Denver's best street art? Book your spot on one of our tours.)
The alt-weekly newsletter actually had three different categories devoted to street art and graffiti in Denver.
Best New Street Art (Staff pick)
Westword staffers named Anthony Garcia's serape project on the Federal Boulevard bridge
running over 6th Avenue the best new street art in Denver. Garcia is the founder of Birdseed Collective and is a staple of Denver's street art community. You'll know you've seen an Anthony Garcia piece when you see the multi-colored Mexican-blanket style pieces.
(Wanna see more of Anthony Garcia's work? Check him out on Instagram at @birdseedanthony.)
Best New Street Art (Reader's pick)
Denver-based artist Anna Charney got Westword readers' nod as Denver's best new street art. Charney was always interested in pattern work but took her urban art to the next level when she interned under Robin Munro, the founder of Denver's street art and graffiti festival CRUSH. Her signature is a series of looping ribbons and dots. We always think they take us in and out of different dimensions.
(See more of Anna Charney on Instagram at @annacharneyart.)
Best Place to Instagram in Denver (Staff pick)
Westword staffers got specific here. The alley between 2500 and 2900 blocks of Walnut and Larimer streets is apparently the best place to get your Instagram on. We can't disagree, actually. That RiNo alleyway stretch is a cornucopia of everything from underground graffiti to mainstream murals. For the Denver urban explorer, it's worth a trip.
Best Place to Instagram in Denver (Reader's pick)
Westword's readers simply picked RiNo Arts District, which is just a more generalized version of the above. Still, no less good of a place to catch the best in Denver's graffiti and street art.
Best Street Art on a Business
Denver street artist Victor Escobedo's 700-square-foot mural on the side of Level 7 Games on Alameda is certainly an impressive feat. Choosing "the best" of anything in Denver's art scene is a tricky business. This old-school game-character-inspired mural is pretty rad.
(Give more love to Victor Escobedo on Instagram at @the_art_of_victory.)