5 stars is unusual for me however it was very deserving. Andy was an amazing greeter with so much warmth & wealth of info. Today 6/14/26 was a free day ( my luck) so I bought a gift for the grands since they couldn't attend (sic). Inside and outside were fun creative activities for kids to partake. Music inside was part of the paintings. A DJ on the lawn to reach other senses. 7/26/26 is the next free day - GO! I was delighted to peruse this museum and change my previous plans. read more

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Denver is one of my favorite cities and this museum definitely is a key factor. There are not that many museums dedicated to a single artists (Andy Warhol Museum is another one I visited) but they truely give you a unique experience!! Designed specifically to display Clyfford Still's work, this "small" museum (as many of my museum colleagues would call it) is actually quite large - enough for a few hours of wondering... The building itself is a beautiful and perfectly complements the art collection's scale, themes, and colors. I was told it has over 3000 pieces (over 90%) of the artist's works; and he believed the best way to experience an artist's work was by seeing it all in one place. It was indeed a great experience to be submerged in such an environment -- you feel so much more who he was and what he wanted to express. Must give this "small" museum a BIG applause! Everything was nicely done and it was a great pleasure to visit. AND, their website (https://clyffordstillmuseum.org/) is absolutely amazing! I've seen many museums' websites and theirs is the first one where I saw "Accessibility Adjustments" tool (look for the small person in a circle at the lower left corner) that helps people with different challenges. Bravo!! P.S. This review is from a draft I did in 2024, so quite late in publishing. I lost the photos I took so the following photos are from their websites. read more

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I had planned to visit the Denver Contemporary Museum, but it was closed, and I ended up here. I had no idea what to expect - I didn't even know Clyffird Still was the name of the artist featured throughout. This is a compact museum with very cool interior architecture. When we started through the galleries I thought, "oh, no, I'm really not a fan of Still." But by the 2nd or 3rd room, I was totally vibing with the artist. A highly enjoyable visit, and being located in the heart of the arts district and near the government complex, there was a lot of cool architecture in the vicinity. read more

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Solid museum for some modern art. While not the biggest museum around, I enjoyed the focus on Clyfford Still's work. Some of the works are quite thought provoking and innovative. Definitely causes you to think about things from perspectives you would never have considered. The short video clip being played in the lobby of the museum also gives you more insight into the museum itself and how they put everything together. Overall, a worthy place to visit in Downtown Denver :) read more

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We were fortunate enough to get passes to this museum through our local library. The museum is beautiful and has so much information on the life and works of Mr. Still. The staff there is extremely knowledgeable and was able to go even more in depth to answer our questions. read more

I am a bit delayed in this review, but wanted to absolutely drop a few words on how much I enjoyed my visit to the Clyfford Still Museum. Being a person who appreciates art and seeks out work more modern and contemporary in nature, this museum did not disappoint. The staff were informative at the reception counter and there is a small gift shop right there as well. A brief video in the lobby to introduce one to Mr. Still, up a flight of stairs and then a museum easily navigable on a round chronologically, I was overwhelmed and overjoyed. Not being overly aware of Clyfford Still nor his work or place in art history, I walked away with such appreciation and peeked interest in this artistic giant of the 20th century. The space is open, airy and in an architecturally interesting. Spots to sit and contemplate in several of the gallery spaces. Moody, peaceful, thought provoking, the space and art alike. Art lovers can appreciate a museum dedicated to the life of just one artist. A real immersive way to know a career. A gem in downtown Denver. I loved my time here. read more

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Nice space that changes its exhibits now and then but fully dedicated to Clyfford Still's life works. It may have been this particular exhibit when I visited that felt a little lacking, especially for the ticket price. But staff is friendly. The "interactiveness" was interesting; the museum provides gloves for you to lift up some of the exhibits that are protected (from sunlight) with a screen. These works were underwhelming when lifting the screen, especially since many of the works were the same. Overall the space and interior itself is nice to walk through. I liked the questions on some of the works' captions that prompted an analytical approach to viewing Still's work given the context of his life. read more

When we walked in the door the greeter said, "Can I help you with something?" That was an odd greeting. Did we look like we were looking for a bathroom? I think not. While looking at a painting (over 18 inches away) one of their "controllers" said, "Please step back from the painting." I didn't hear him so I said, "Excuse me". So he yelled at me, "I SAID STEP BACK FROM THE PAINTING!" Wow! This is not my first art museum, art show or even art sale. That was rude! At the front door there is a brief description that reads, "We own 98% of Mr. Still's work". There is a reason. My suggestion is to barrow a book on Still from the library and call it "done". read more

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Um - is this the sexiest building in Denver?! There is a major focus on art preservation and curation. I found that to be very interesting. Also the story of "why the clyfford still museum" is also very interesting! I was surprised and delighted that the museum focused on things like art preservation education and since many works are on paper, it reminded me of my days in college and in pre-press and graphic design considering UV coatings, humidity and storage of paper, paper types, etc. also as a GenX former print magazine hoarder, it reminded me of how all those international fashion and culture mags needed better preservation! Anyway what a great space to wander in and don't forget to go outside into the garden areas! Take a textured concrete background selfie or a mental pause for some social media browsing in the meditative urban ambiance. -- Also, if you listen to the podcast - City Cast Denver - you'll immediately recognize the voiceover on the video that plays when you first enter. That person has such a distinct voice! So um.. it was startling - to be greeted by a "familiar" voice! read more

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I like to seek out specialty-type museums, time permitting, when I am away from home. This quite unique (as a concept) art museum, dedicated to a single artist, Clyfford Still ... who I had not heard of perviously, checks the "specialty-type box" for me. The museum is located nearby several other museums, and close to the capital. Nicely designed building. Friendly, helpful people -- Anna and Anthony -- at the entrance desk area (see photo). I wanted to recognize Anna, who is pictured, as she was delightfully engaging, willingly answered my questions, and made a nice museum experience even better. Thanks Anna! On the first floor you can watch a video that is a nice introduction to this artist and the museum, and the timeline of this artist's life in context with what else is going on in the world at the time, was very interesting. The artwork, which is on the second floor in nine different rooms, although I'm not sure I counted correctly, is approached best by starting with the artist's early years and proceeding through the later years. While I enjoyed some of the artwork, to me, it is the entire experience of this museum and emphasis on this single artist that left me quite fulfilled in terms of this art experience. One quite out of the ordinary characteristics of the artwork is that there are no descriptions, as, apparently, the artist wanted the museum goer to take away their own impression of each piece of artwork. There's also a small, but well stocked area where children, or creative adults can create all kinds of their own artwork. Recommend that this museum be added to your list of places to visit while in Denver! read more

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Clyf, Clyfford, Mr. Still, Clyford Still, Mr. Clyfford Still was a unique abstract expressionist. Born in 1904 and deceased in 1980. How was he unique? He kept most of his work, like 93-95% to himself - not selling it or displaying it to make a living or a buck. He despised commercial art and yet was very accomplished and regarded. Even without selling or displaying most of his work. He began with landscapes and the migrated to more expressionistic art. Then on to abstract expressionism. The museum's collection is subject to strict dictates and parameters from his last will and testament and also that of his second wife. He required his work to be displayed collectively and the museum does that well, with rotating exhibits several times a year. Recommended! read more

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Let's just say, it's always my duty to find the places to eat, drink and experience when we go out with just about anyone - unless it's fellow elites! So, when my mother-in-law suggested a day date, I knew just the way to spend an afternoon - lunch and a museum! Off to the Clyfford Still we went, which proved to be a 4 star experience! STAR #1: The museum itself is located downtown, just a stone's throw away from the Colorado History Museum. It's massive in size and easy to spot with ample street and lot parking. This area of town gives off all the artistic meets trendy vibes, so we found ourselves right at home. STAR #2: Tickets are under $10 for an adult to experience the 2 story space - and totally worth it. However, if you're a library card holder, like myself, check out the perks offered via the form of an Adventure Pass. Most libraries offer the ability to reserve up to 4 free tickets for various museums and historic homes throughout Denver - which is how I secured ours! FREE! STAR #3: I'm obsessed with Still's concept of his art. His unique artistic vision evolved over time from outdoor scenes to more abstract shapes, colors and lines - hoping to evoke an idea or feeling. He refuses to use frames, as he stated it took away from the original art - which is totally true! The huge collection of his work has remained together (along with his wife's') and when Denver won the bid to display his work, the museum opened, providing guests with a totally unique look at his work over time. We found ourselves totally immersed in each painting and engaged in discussion about what we all saw - many different from each other - and a very fun way to spend the afternoon! STAR #4: The staff here is beyond friendly and welcoming. We approached the desk in the lobby, to which a smiley young woman greeted us. She gave us the rundown of the property, mentioned her favorite spots throughout the museum and seemed extremely genuine. In admiring some art near the doors to the rear, the art curator provided us with ample information about the history of artwork, how some of Still's paintings are still wet to this day, and how they are being preserved. He walked us through the process, showed us what they were working on currently (outside the glass doors) and went above and beyond to share his experience with Still' work. Very cool! If looking for a spot to spend an afternoon, a date or a solo day, come here! read more

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So interesting to be able to explore the progression on an artist throughout his entire career. Clyfford Still was a pioneer and leader in the Abstract Expressionist movement. He transformed art in a new approach to painting in the years immediately following World War II prior to well-known colleagues, like Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko, making these changes. From simple still lives to the images of The Depression and World War II, Clyfford Still used color to explore everyday life. Later he used bold colors to create his groundbreaking abstract images that are labelled with letters and numbers. Peggy Guggenheim gave him a solo exhibition at her gallery. He also had other exhibits until the 1950s when he severed ties to commercial galleries and began to create and collect the paintings that would form this museum. Yellow. Blue. Black. Red. White. PH-351.1947-Y-No. 2. Still wrote in his will that his collection of paintings be bequeathed to an American city that would keep the collection intact to be studied and exhibited. His widow, Patricia Still chose Denver as the lucky recipient of the canvases, drawing and prints. Four works were sold to help endow the museum. Loved being able to explore the galleries filled with oversized canvases and the beautiful contemporary museum that was designed by Allied Works Architecture, led by Brad Cloepfil. The museum is so open and inviting. The colors of Still's painting really draw you in. Even though I did not know the artist, the Clyfford Still Museum was a great place to spend an hour or two. Limited entry times. When I came late in the afternoon, I was the only person in many of the galleries. They participated in NARM and ROAM reciprocity museum passes when I visited. Masks were required. read more

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Denver won the honor of preserving Clyfford's art collection. His work was a punctuation of the American Abstract Expressionist period allowing the medium to speak. The artwork is curated into different periods of his work and some of his technical approaches. The first floor has biographical information and the second floor is the main gallery. The work is well spaced, which allows the viewer to contemplate on the canvas. There is one room with Clyfford's sketches, and it can inspire young artists. read more

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I loved everything about it - from the building to the exhibit design to the art itself. Would definitely recommend to any fan of modern art! read more

Great retrospective collection and information on this enigmatic abstract artist. Much larger space than it looks. read more

Clyfford Still Museum - Art Museums Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Breathtaking collection. It's not often you see a museum hold art pieces from one artist. I loved the flow of the each room. You start with his earlier work. Very deep, emotional and recognizable images depicting humans in almost distressed situations. Transitioning to his abstract expressionism. Strong and vibrant range of primary colors. I especially liked the "yellow room" and the larger canvases. It's interesting to think of how he painted such large canvases. Did he need a ladder? What did his workspace look like? I think it'd be interesting if there was a movie of his life and the museum offered small showings. Don't know if that exists but I think there should be. I'd buy a ticket. read more

Clyfford Still Museum - Snuck a quick pic - Art Museums Near Me - Denver, Colorado

My sister and I had the most exceptional visit to the Clyfford Still Museum. After deciding we'd stay at the Art Hotel right around the corner I knew securing tickets for us to visit would be a good move. We had 4p entry and practically had the entire place to ourselves, it was very special. There was one other party of two there and very rarely except when I went back to revisit a few galleries were we ever around anyone else for even a moment. I really loved the later works. There was one in particular I asked about that happened to be in the achieves down below that I went looking for but unfortunately things weren't slid in a way that I could happen to spot it and they weren't able to unlock the achieves. I did ask ;) It was one of his more classic works from the 50's PH-401 if they do happen to take it out. The architecture of the building was also a nice treat. I really wanted to reunite with my sister and share a special time, surrounded by art since she's super artsy (where I'm more of the talentless one but have an appreciation for it) and that's exactly what our visit here was. During these unusual times and after not seeing her for nearly 7 months I wanted us to be able have a peaceful, calm, beautiful, quiet experience together. I highly recommend visiting if you've been craving a museum. Outstanding collection, even if I didn't care much for his earlier work, just not my personal preference. Masks are of course required. read more

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Attended the museum during a free day. Modern art. Friendly staff. Does not take long to get through. Recommend!

Clifford still became famous as an abstract artist in the height of the nyc 1950s scene, but he eschewed commercialism and stayed under the radar. In his will he left his collection to anyone who would make a museum just of his art. The private tour $100 for 6 is worth it. Great chance to see one artist from throughout his lifetime. Downtown so pay to park for $10 across the street. read more

The Clyfford Still Museum is among the best if not the single best dedicated to a single artist (I am no expert; I guess the Rodin in Paris belongs on the list; the Noguchi, O'Keefe, and Warhol are all good). The collection is excellent, the presentation thoughtful, and the architecture itself worth a visit. The Brad Cloepfil design is humane modernism, with concrete massed in a manner that has benefited from the lessons of failed Brutalism, and manipulation of natural light that is highly skilled. Cloepfil is underrated. Perhaps I am just of the right generation and this is the right era, but his style is minimalist without being obsessive about it. It is elegant and inviting. You could wander through the museum and enjoy it just for how it shows off the canvases. The outdoors are integral. You can see how Still developed as an artist. That is a benefit of a single artist museum. You also learn much more about his philosophy. That immersion is not possible even with a retrospective. It gives you insight as well into the artistic process beyond that single talent. I guess he was a combination of Color Field and Action. I don't know that trying to classify everyone is useful. There is earlier figurative work on display. Scholars discern a figurative aspect to the abstraction which followed. The benefit of this place is you can study for yourself. It is compelling no matter the conclusion you come to. The Still museum has an interesting backstory. For one thing, according to an art history professor with whom I chatted, Still was just a jerk. I had admired his desire to leave behind the world of collectors and the whole scene he otherwise would have been an important part of. I wonder, however, if you have to be more than a bit of a curmudgeon to walk away in that manner, or, for that matter, to achieve success with a singular vision. The museum probably is an extension of the same attitude of defiance. Still was willing to leave his legacy to a city that would build an edifice to honor him alone. Nobody accepted the offer for a generation. His work thus was unseen. That gambit paid off. It only increased interest. They also have special exhibits that are presented in conversation with Still. That adds to the enjoyment. I do not recall that at the Rodin or Noguchi, although it is done at the O'Keefe (not sure about Warhol, but I doubt it). I would visit again, without doubt, if I passed through Denver. I only get there once a decade. read more

Awesome art museum in Denver! We usually always just go to the main Denver Art Museum but decided to check out this smaller place just behind the Denver Art Museum. The Clyfford Still Museum is so cool! It has great art and the building is really unique. We loved it and can't wait to go back to see another exhibit. Everyone was friendly, the building isn't too crowded, and there's a lot of unique art. We enjoyed sitting in all the rooms and observing the art. Highly recommend for abstract and contemporary art and if you need a new and different perspective on art. My style isn't really abstract so some of my favorite pieces I posted aren't quite that besides a couple but he had some really great other art too! Also if you need a break from crowds at museums. read more

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Small and fun Museum. Master artist. Interesting life story. Interesting story on how the museum was created. A good 2 hours of fun. read more

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First and foremost, I love the architecture of this museum. It is beautiful. The natural lighting, the concrete, spectacular. Art however is subjective. To me the museum felt like an unneeded celebration of another white artist whose art had to be displayed by itself to stand out. Was Clyfford Still talented, undoubtedly. The art however reminded me of the discarded "art" pieces of the 50's dropped off at Goodwill after grandma has passed away. Perhaps not a fair assessment if you are a fan of the artist or this type of work. I am glad I visited, especially to explore the architecture of the building. Do I need to go back. Not really. For me its building 5 stars, art 3. read more

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I was at The Metropolitan Museum recently and I purposely stood near one of his paintings there to see if anyone would stop and take a look. Nope. In all my years, I have never seen anyone in any museum give more than a passing glance to a Clyfford Still painting. I put in some time with his paintings but gave up and I became one of those people who moved by quickly, too. How do you wrap your head around Still? There was a lot of drama when the idea of a museum dedicated to his works was suggested. What city would be brave enough to host a museum dedicated to an influential artist but one who was obscure or unknown to most people? He was prickly about where and how his paintings would be displayed. I didn't know what to expect when I entered the doors of this museum. I ascended the stairs and was confronted with a wall of his early landscapes. Looking at the labels is confusing because Still eschewed names so the titles are akin to those of European cars: PW-80, PWX-10, etc. A well-executed large self-portrait alone on one wall shows off his obvious skills and that's important to know. His early days were, like most artists, were ones of financial struggle. One gallery features a number early works painted on cut out sections of window shades, with fibers clearly visible, because he couldn't afford canvas. In spite of his skills, a number of those early paintings featured gangly people: long faces, long arms, big feet. They are startlingly amateurish but they illustrate the beginning of his journey toward abstraction. The paintings in each successive gallery become more abstract and that's where, for the first time, I began to finally appreciate Skill's works. The names of my favorites, PH-873, PH-929, and PH-1039, like all the titles, are frustratingly cold but I found them joyful and warm as I went back to them a few times during my visit. The building itself is a perfect space to linger and appreciate Still's oeuvre. (If only the adjacent and disastrous spiky addition to the Denver Art Museum could have have been designed with such care.) The concrete walls and natural diffused daylight bring out the best of this artist. Few painters are afforded such an honor to have their own museum. Few cities are fortunate to have a masterpiece such as this. Denver stepped up and is the better for it. read more

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Fab day visiting the Clyfford Still Museum. Easy parking in the lot directly across from the entrance. Tickets $10 per adult or check online for their free days. Make sure to sit for the short 5 minute movie for some background on Still before you venture upstairs. I loved seeing his art in chronological order as it changed to expressionistic. Fell in love with the huge blue piece. Reminds me of being in the ocean. I always get inspired to draw/paint when I look at art.... they read my mind and put a little art studio half way through. Yay! I created my own little piece and posted it on the wall. Now, I too am on exhibit at the Clyfford Still Museum. :) Visit often. Still had so many pieces and they change them out. read more

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Top notch place, good collection cool building. I have a bunch of good things to say. read more

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I took my students here today. It was such a quality educational experience! And the modern architecture is amazing! I recommend any individual or group to visit & take a guided tour! I've never seen my students so engaged in a museum experience! Don't forget to visit the new sound garden terrace! read more

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When your friend needs to go to a museum for school you of course make a day downtown of it! So away we went to the Clyfford Still Museum to immerse ourselves in the abstract impressionist world of Clyfford. PROs: ++ Admission is a mere $7 (with a student discount)!! Seriously not bad at all! ++ There's a really helpful/informative video they recommend watching prior to making your way through the exhibits. Great way to get to know the artist! ++ Very well curated with works throughout his career! ++ Love the parallels/connections they make between Clyfford Still and Vincent Van Gough. ++ Each piece is accompanied by a helpful paragraph regarding the inspiration or interpretation of the work. ++ There's an optional augmented reality thing that you can check out from the front desk that adds a few pieces to the exhibits. We sadly did not opt for that during our visit. CONs: -- They don't allow bags in, but they do give you a quarter to use in their lockers. -- The staff to visitor ratio was significant. Granted we were there on a weekday before a holiday, but it felt like we were under serious scrutiny the whole time. -- I wish there had been a larger variety in the pieces. It was def dominated by larger than life painted canvases. Clearly there's far more PROs than CONs. I could def see coming back to the Clyfford Still Museum for a future visit or taking part in one of the guided tours! read more

Clyfford Still Museum - Art Museums Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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Really nice museum. Friendly staff and spacious. Nice set up. Activities so you can engage. Really liked it. There was a school doing an activity and it didn't bother at all. Beautiful building and the ceiling has an amazing concrete structure. read more

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First, if you're staying at Le Meridien, you can get in for free. Second, even if you can't get in for free, this museum is totally worth admission. I didn't know Clyfford Still. I was blown away by the curation, the work, the story of the art. It's a brilliant museum with gorgeous spaces and wonderful art. If you're in Denver, go here. read more

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Prior to this visit I had never heard heard of Clyfford Still. I was blown away by how beautiful this museum and the artist's work was. I loved how simple the interior was, and the beautiful use of light. I loved the artist's abstract art, and my favorite part was being able to see into the storage area to see some paintings which weren't on display. read more

Clyfford Still Museum - Can see into the storage center - Art Museums Near Me - Denver, Colorado

Clyfford Still was an American Abstract Expressionist like Rothko, Jackson Pollock and de Kooning. Hitler was anti-modern expression and this was what sparked his hatred. Abstract expressionism started after World War II. This museum is in the Cultural Arts District. A few steps away from Denver Art Museum. They have discounts for students, teachers and seniors. The architecture of the museum itself is fine art. Contrasting elements of wood vs concrete, light vs shadow. Modern, clean, sleek and inviting. The museum has 3 floors. The first floor has the small gift shop and an area where you can watch an introductory video about the artist and the museum. The second floor and the lobby are where Still's artwork, archives, etc. are at. When most people think of abstract paintings, they think of random splotches of paint that their 5-year-old could have done. To know that there's so much more than paint on canvas separates those who appreciate art from everyone else. Each artist has his own story and style of expression which is why you can look at an art piece and be able to identify the artist. read more

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We didn't know much about this artist but decided to check it out on a Friday between 5-8 pm since it's only $5 entrance fee. We are glad we did! It's an art museum dedicated only to the art of Clyfford Still as he wanted it to be. We liked it so much, we bought a poster version of one of his works. He has a unique abstract style. Highly recommend this place! read more

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Wow. I had no idea how much I adored abstract expressionism until I stumbled upon this museum yesterday. Clyfford is an incredible artist with such a depth and range of talent. He excels at both abstract art and beautiful, gentle, and delicate portraits and still lifes. I loved his art. He balances the voids with the fullness and juxtaposition of colors and surfaces. I love that with each large canvas of colors, there is another piece of artwork that had since inspired that one. Abstract art distills down to the bare bones of a piece of artwork and creates something beautiful that makes you catch your breath. I was lucky to go to the museum on a free day and it was well worth the stop. It's got a gorgeous gallery space in an architecturally stimulating building. The terraces are awesome. Go! You'll love it. read more

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I've been to art museums all over the world and Denver's Clyfford Still Museum is among the best. If you are a fan of Still's work or a fan of American Abstract Expressionism in general, you need to visit this place! It is small and cozy yet has an amazing collection of his work, from watercolors, chalk and ink drawings to his most well-known, totally immersive giant painted canvases! The first floor has some introductory type stuff: Still's personal letters (be sure to read his handwritten one to Jackson Pollock), newspaper clippings, personal books and Still's own artist's box with paint. There's a video that constantly plays in the lobby next to the very tiny gift area. The upper floors have a great sample of his work on display. It's well organized and displayed but disappointingly, not much information about the works. I'm hoping that this will change as the museum grows. If a tour is offered while you are there, take it. An audio tour would be a lovely addition but the least they could do is make an effort to put some write-ups about each work next to each piece. The architecture here is pretty great too. The interior has light wood floors and the walls are textured gray concrete, reflecting the texture that you can see in so many of Still's paintings. The pieces were appropriately hung and displayed for optimal viewing. There are two outdoor terraces where you can sit and relax. And best of all, photography is allowed indoors (no flash, of course). You should allow at least an hour to see everything and art lovers will want more time. Admission was $10, which is a great bargain considering the much less stellar Denver Art Museum next door charges $13 to get in. read more

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We had so much fun at the Clyfford Still Museum with our daughter. We spent what must've been hours in the makerspace they had there. The museum is based on the father of abstract expressionism Clyfford Still the forerunner of artists like Rothko and Pollock. It was interesting to go through the gallery with my daughter discussing what she likes and sees in the gallery and admiring how the architecture of the building actually complements the artists style. Great experience! read more

Clyfford Still Museum - Makerspace puzzle - Art Museums Near Me - Denver, Colorado

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The hubs and I have wanted to check this museum out for a while. It is tucked next to the Denver Art Museum and is a bit plain from the exterior. However, once you step inside you see the beauty of the simple architecture combined with the works of Clifford Stills. We went in last night for their free night. We really like smaller museums that are a bit more intimate. I don't like feeling overwhelmed by art. The art was thoughtfully displayed and beautiful. It was a really great experience. read more

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This place has me hooked. One of the only museums in the US designated for a single artist. Don't expect to like the art, might not be your style, instead go into the museum to understand an amazing artist. read more

Clyfford Still Museum - Art Museums Near Me - Denver, Colorado

I came for the architecture, but learned the fascinating history of an American artist. Still paced his career brilliantly. In many cases, he had a home studio. For a time he went off the grid and stopped doing shows. But what stands out is that he retained possession of many of his large paintings. That is what made this museum possible. It is an almost complete history of his artistic evolution. Here you can see how his work evolved to his founding role in abstract expressionism, the American art movement, based on his life and painting studio experiments. In the core of the building is the vault and restoration studio for the collection that is in storage at any given time, seen behind large sliding glass doors. There are well designed touch navigated kiosks tracing his life history, and displays of his personal library and personal interests. It is unusual to learn about an artist to that depth. The second floor galleries have an earlier to later work flow. His earlier work was figurative, later evolving into the abstract expressionism as artists around him and around American art centers evolved. There is a participatory studio on the second floor in the natural flow toward the exit, a welcome break from the usual museum "exit through the gift shop" pioneered by Disneyland. The staffer there was a pleasure to talk to. The building itself, by Allied Works, Portland and New York architects, holds true to the firm's trademark aesthetics. https://www.yelp.com/biz/allied-works-architecture-portland They spend a lot of time with the client on the program: the architect's term for layout of space serving the specific needs of the building users. For instance, the Daniel Libeskind wing of the Denver Art Museum next door suffers in the realization of its program to create a bold form and is unlikely to hold up for 100 years simply because of moisture intrusion into the structure. Allied is known for planes which pass one another with gaps. The Still Museum materials are honest and recede in their minimalism and quality. Cloepfil's first work was the running concrete landscape sculpture, the Maryhill Overlook, at the Maryhill Museum in Goldendale Washington. His first big project was the W+K advertising agency. For W+K he poured a 4 story pristine raw concrete shear wall defining the atrium. For the Still Museum, there is precisely formed and poured concrete that was later shaped into an irregular edge by hand. The building will last hundreds of years. Cloepfil is surpassing Louis Kahn who is famous for large concrete architecture like the the Phillips Exeter Library which has some similarity to the W+K project. The Kahn Salk Institute in La Jolla, and the parliament buildings of Bangladesh rival Cloepfil. Allied brings many stunning new concrete compositions like the US embassy in Mozambique. It takes a lot of work and skilled construction staff to pour that quality of concrete. It was not crowded in a Sunday when I visited. There are several nooks throughout the museum to sit and chill including a sunny covered outside space on the second floor. I enjoyed speaking with the staff down and up. The Denver Art Museum, the city library and civic buildings are all right there and there are casual eateries nearby. The Still museum is a great space to see the into the lifetime creative arc of a painter who transitioned to make a major impact, in a beautiful building, in Denver's museum district. Denver is fortunate to have landed the Still museum! read more