D’art Gallery is proud to host “She Makes an Impression: Colorado Women Take a Look at Themselves” On view December 18, 2025 – January 11, 2026.
Unique Colorado Women’s Self-portraits Exhibition in Denver for the Holidays The Colorado Women’s Art Museum (CWAM) is mounting a first ever invitational exhibition of self-portraits created exclusively by Colorado woman-identifying artists. “She Makes an Impression: Colorado Women Take a Look at Themselves” explores original artwork and fine craft from over sixty Colorado women artists.
This exhibition is unique. Artists were invited to submit a self-portrait from any time in their lives that represents them or something about themselves. Rather than all straight-forward, obvious representations of heads and shoulders, you’ll find representational, realistic, abstract and completely non-representational styles of artwork, in a wide variety of physical media including painting, printmaking, ceramics, fiber, mosaic, photography and more.
These works include realistic paintings and sculptures in which a person is clearly depicted, as well as vignettes that present feelings and circumstances that have shaped these women artists’ lives. Also included are abstract and non-representational works that tell intimate stories in form and color.
About the premise for this exhibition Founder and President of CWAM says, “We invited Colorado women artists to share their self-portraits that have special meaning to them. This exhibition is a profoundly deep dive into the hearts, minds and experiences of the artists presenting their work. Some are bright, playful and joyful missives about a favorite time or place, some explore dark or painful life experiences, some express the challenges and joys of life as a woman in modern society, while others tease the imagination with shapes in motion without specific visual details. All are alive with thoughtful significance.”
The curators of this exhibition are Catherine V. Carilli, Kathleen J. Graves and Carrie MaKenna, all Colorado women artists themselves. Carilli lives in Boulder and has been active in the Denver and Boulder arts scene and taught Fine Art and Art History at Front Range Community College for many years. Graves is a native of Colorado but spent her career as an adjunct Assistant Professor of Art at New York University among others. Now back in Colorado she is a mixed media photographer and builder of retro character bots and new constructivist landscapes. And MaKenna is a fourth generation Denver native who has been active in the arts scene for thirty years and is Co-founder of D’art Gallery and Founder and President of the Colorado Women’s Art Museum.
These curators along with CWAM exhibitions team members and artists Kathy Knaus and Italu Ramos-Hernandez have put together a wide-ranging self-portrait exhibition that shines a light on the depth and breadth of artwork by Colorado women artists. Participating artists come from the northern, central, and southern front range as well as the mountains and western slope.
“We know this exhibition doesn’t represent all Colorado women artists who have created self- portraits. Mainly because we don’t know all the artists out there yet. This is another step in our work to capture the stories, processes and works of the brilliant women creatives throughout the state. It’s a great honor to share these marvelous works in the beautiful space at D’art Gallery in the heart of the Arts District on Santa Fe,” says MaKenna.
Since its first inaugural exhibition in August 2023, the Colorado Women’s Art Museum has exhibited nearly 300 artists, and boasts over 250 members all without yet having a building to call home.
“Anytime we tell people about the Museum, their first question is, ‘Where is it? We want to go!’,” says MaKenna. “We are now raising funds to purchase our first home. All are welcome to learn more what we’re up to.” Find out more at www.cwamus.org
Schedule of Exhibition Events:
Thu. Dec 18, 6-9pm Opening & Holiday Party
Fri. Dec 19, 6-9pm Art Appreciators Night
Sun. Dec 28, 12-3pm Sundays on Santa Fe
Fri. Jan 2, 6-9pm First Friday
Sat. Janu 3, 1-3pm Artist Panel Discussion
Wed. Jan 7, 5:30-7pm CBCA Arts Economic Impact
Fri. Jan 9, 6-9pm Black & White Closing Party