This Is Aurora - City Newsletter

Aug. 22, 2019

"Revival" mural on the west side of the Aurora Fox Arts Center

New murals celebrate arts in Aurora

New murals in the Aurora Cultural Arts District celebrate the arts in the city, while helping articulate the identity and reflect the energy and creativity of this unique area.

In February, David Ocelotl Garcia installed “Art in Motion” outside the People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave., and this summer he complemented the artwork with a second mural, “Vintage Emotions,” outside Vintage Theatre, 1468 Dayton St. Both projects were commissioned by the city of Aurora Art in Public Places Program. In between, two private murals were completed, one at the Colfax Pawn shop at the corner of East Colfax Avenue and Dayton Street, and another one on the east facing wall of Pasternaks Pawn Shop on Colfax Avenue and Emporia Street.

The latest mural in the arts district, “Revival,” was just completed by artist Yulia Avgustinovich, covering four walls on a structure in the Aurora Fox Arts Center facilities. This mural tells the story of the Aurora Fox’s history from its time as a movie palace during the latter part of the golden age of cinema, to the fire that destroyed it in the 1980s, and finally to its rebirth as the award-winning live theatre and arts center that it is today.

“Revival” also portrays both historical and current day theatrical references and is a unique collaboration between three city programs: the Aurora History Museum and Historic Sites, which provided the historic context, guidance and approval for the mural since the Aurora Fox is a historic landmark; the Aurora Fox; and the Art in Public Places program, which at the end is responsible for the artist selection through a panel, the commission of the art, etc.

The Aurora Cultural Arts District is full of public art worth admiring, three other visible murals in the area are “Starchild,” by Jonathan Lamb and Michael Ortiz, on the Fletcher Gardens building; “Coalesence,” by Bimmer Torres, on the Dayton Street Day Labor Center; and “Uptown: A Place for Art and Community,” by Jason Needham, outside the Downtown Aurora Visual Arts building.

To learn more about the Art in Public Places Program including the artist selection process, visit AuroraGov.org/PublicArt.

Aurora's first inclusive playground grand opening Aug. 24

Join us for the grand opening of the first inclusive playground in Aurora. The event happens from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, at Red-tailed Hawk Park, 23701 E. Hinsdale Way, and will have fun activities for all.

Read more
www.auroragov.org

Major milestone reached at The Point at Nine Mile transit-oriented development

Residents and city leaders celebrated the opening of the long-awaited 78,000-square-foot King Soopers store at The Point at Nine Mile in August, marking significant progress in the redevelopment of the former Regatta Plaza site.

The 78,000-square-foot "fresh food destination store" features plenty of fresh food choices for shoppers, like sushi, pan Asian, pizza, Mexican street food and more. King Soopers commissioned artist Yulia Avgustinovich to design a colorful mural for the store's cafe area that depicts images of Aurora landmarks, culture and environment.

This first phase of transit-oriented development site also includes the relocation of Key Bank into a new building, and a section of retail stores that will include six to eight tenants. Those are slated to open in the fall.

Recently, the city of Aurora won a $4.36 million federal grant through the Denver Regional Council of Governments Transportation Improvement Program, to build a pedestrian and bicycle bridge across Parker Road, just west of I-225. The bridge will provide a safe and convenient connection between the RTD Nine Mile Station, adjacent residential and business developments, and The Point at Nine Mile. Design work will begin in 2020, with construction starting in 2022.

IN THE NEWS

Aurora spent $34 million on water from a toxic mine. It’s not as crazy as it sounds - Colorado Sun

Aurora's Global Fest makes a wide world part of a close community - Sentinel Colorado

Kids learn Bhangra at Aurora summer camp - Fox 31 News

WATCH AURORA NOW

UPCOMING EVENTS

City Council Town Meetings

• Ward I (Crystal Murillo) - Thursday, Aug. 22, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 9898 E. Colfax Ave.

• Ward II (Nicole Johnston) - Thursday, Sept. 26, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Beck Recreation Center, 800 Telluride St. (no summer meetings)

• Ward III (Marsha Berzins) - Wednesday, Sept. 11, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

City Cafe, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, Second Floor

Thursday, Sept. 19, 7:15 to 8:30 a.m. (Mornings with Marsha)

Tin Cup Cafe, 50 S. Peoria St.

• Ward IV (Charlie Richardson) - Thursday, Sept. 19, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Garden Plaza of Aurora, 14221 E. Evans Ave.

• Ward V (Bob Roth) - Tuesday, Sept. 17, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Heather Gardens, 2888 S. Heather Gardens Way

• Ward VI (Françoise Bergan) - Wednesday, Sept. 11, 6 to 8 p.m.

Heritage Eagle Bend Clubhouse, 23155. E. Heritage Parkway

• At Large (hosted by Allison Hiltz and Angela Lawson) - Thursday, Aug. 22, 5 to 6 p.m.

Martin Luther King Jr. Library, 9898 E. Colfax Ave.

AuroraGov.org/Council

City Council Meeting

Monday, Aug. 26, 5 p.m., Special Study Session

Aurora Municipal Center, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway, Council Chamber

AuroraGov.org/Council • Streamed live at AuroraTV.org

Inclusive Playground Grand Opening

Saturday, Aug, 24, 9 to 11 a.m.

Thanks to Ashaun’s wish, the city of Aurora and community partners were able to build a special playground for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy.

Red-tailed Hawk Park, 23701 E. Hinsdale Way

AuroraGov.org/Parks

DeLaney Farm Historic District Open House

Saturday, Aug. 24, 9 a.m. to noon

Explore Aurora's agricultural roots with performances and programs. Try barrel racing at our stick rodeo and the rolling pin toss, enjoy a story time by the Aurora Public Library, and learn about Aurora's ranching and farming history. Free

DeLaney Farm Historic District, 171 S. Chambers Road

AuroraMuseum.org

Radio Days

Saturday, Aug. 24, 11:30 a.m.

Watch a live performance of a classic radio broadcast, featuring news from the early days of our fair city. These stories have been borrowed from the Aurora Democrat newspaper, which reported the happenings in Aurora, and around the nation, from 1909 to 1955. Free

Aurora History Museum, 15051 E. Alameda Parkway

AuroraMuseum.org

Inclusive Square Dance

Monday, Aug. 26, 7 to 9 p.m.

This fun event featuring gender-neutral calling by Larry Edelman is back, giving everyone a chance to get out on the dance floor and have some fun. $10 suggested cover

The People's Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave.

ThePeoplesBuilding.com

Interfaith Zen Meditation

Wednesday, Aug. 28, noon to 1 p.m.

The Zen Center of Denver leads a 30-minute practice of interfaith meditation. Bring a lunch and reconnect with yourself in the middle of a hectic week.

The People's Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave.

ThePeoplesBuilding.com

Museo de las Americas Exhibit

Through Sept. 30 (open during Aurora Municipal Center business hours)

Enjoy Museo de las Americas’ traveling exhibition “People/Gente Museo Sin Fronteras-Museum Without Borders,” featuring a portion of Museo’s 3,400-piece collection on ancient and contemporary Latin American art, textiles, ceramics and artifacts. Free

Aurora Municipal Center Mezzanine Gallery, Second Floor, 15151 E. Alameda Parkway

AuroraGov.org/PublicArt

Celebrate Downtime with an image of a man fishing on a bridge

AuroraGov.org

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This newsletter is produced by the city of Aurora Communications and Marketing Department

Questions?

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