Center for Visual Arts at Wazee Street

A four-year dream to operate an art gallery is realized with the opening of the MSU Denver Center for Visual Art (CVA) at 1701 Wazee St. in lower downtown Denver.

With MSU Denver celebrating its 25th anniversary, it was an opportune time for the then-college to transform art education in Denver with the opening of the CVA. A unique combination of gallery and educational space, the center was intended to provide unparalleled opportunities for students and faculty members to pursue creative endeavors, while also bringing cutting-edge art to the community.

A public reception held Sept. 6 drew more than 800 people; the following day, an invitation-only president’s reception, hosted by President Tom Brewer, attracted 500 visitors, including Gov. Roy Romer, Rep. Pat Schroeder and Sen. Tim Wirth.

Center for Visual Arts at Wazee Street

“Museum people, artists and collectors all turned out,” said Dennis Lucero (B.F.A. arts ’76), then-acting director for the center and art instructor. “The center shows that [the institution] is real, viable and our students are representing some of the best art that’s going on out there.”

The opening exhibit featured the work of 25 alumni and was titled “25 Years of Metro Art.”