There are official-looking men on the street corners in downtown Denver, and eying them while they whisper top secret information into their pen caps is sort of exciting. However, even men in black lose their mystery, and when that time comes there are more vibrant things worth watching at the Democratic National Convention. Manifest Hope Gallery, for example, is a paint-packed exhibition of over 10,000 square feet of art created in support of hope, change, progress and patriotism. It’s one of the best things to hit the political scene since term limits.

Participating artists include Shepard Fairey, Adrian Tucker, Scot Lefavor, and Sam Flores (among dozens of others), and after hitting up the press unveiling on Sunday, I will say that the gallery lives up to what it wanted to be and more. It’s thrilling enough to go to any one of these artist’s shows, but to go to one of this magnitude, with talent of this significance and a voice of this strength is incredible.

All of the work at the gallery has been donated by the artists to help fund the Obama/Biden campaign, and some of the pieces are up for auction on eBay (but I imagine if you want to score any and all of the art, you can find appropriate contact info on the website. For more info on the gallery, and to find out when you can swing in if you’re in the area, go here.

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Tomorrow evening, from eight to twelve, Scot Lefavor will be showing his new work at JoyEngine in Boulder. I just popped by their studio to say hello, and everyone seems to be really excited about this show– the guys gave me a sneak peek of some of what Scot will be showing, and there’s no wonder why everyone’s amped. If you’re in town, head over to take a look– their art events are always lively and fun, but this one will be especially so because Scot is a Boulder local and a JoyEngine staple. DJ Nostyle and DJ Symmetry will be on the ones and twos, and refreshments will be provided. I think all the locals should know where JoyEngine is by now, but if not, it’s at 2037 13th St.

A regular staple here at JoshSpear.com, our fried Jason Thielke has really been working out his artistic muscle as of late. This month he's joined forces with Scot Lefavor for the “Alliance” Dual Show. The show kicked off September 1 at the Art and Soul Gallery and features new works by both Scot and Jason. “Jason's street influenced portraits and landscapes are portrayed in a unique style the he calls ‘a reversal of traditional graffiti', while Scot's narrative paintings are based on advertising styles of the 1950's and early 60's infused with contemporary commentary.” This complementary duo offers a fresh look at the local art scene and is sure not to disappoint. If your in Boulder between the 1st and 30th of September stop by the gallery, 1615 Pearl St and feast your eyes!

Munny (Sponsored by Kid Robot) is supporting independent artists alongside our friends at Plastic Chapel and Capsule Gallery. They are having a Munny show fittingly named, “Follow the Munny” June 9th through July 14th. Featured designers include Evan Hecox, Scot Lefavor, and the world famous Jason Thielke (shown here), and you, well maybe. Part of the show is open to the public for an entry fee of $10 and there will be prizes for the best Munny including, money, money, money! Okay not really, but when else can you use that line? There are actually a bunch of great prizes including a signed Kozik 10” BONDAGE Smokin' Labbit. Entry deadline is May 31st so as Munny would say, “Work hard and practice” and get your best Munny out there for all to see! Details to the shows after the jump.

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Friend and fellow Boulderite, Scot Lefavor is showing this Friday June 2nd from 7-11pm at IndyInk in Denver. I look forward to seeing some of Scot’s newest work– he has been a constant force in the independent and young Boulder art scene. His work was the highest-price selling piece at The Collection’s White Space auction event earlier this year. Keep your eye on this guy, he’s really coming up! Check the full size flyer after the jump…

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Ever wonder what would happen if you let six bad ass artists loose on a fresh canvas for two hours? Add a few hundred people, a DJ spinning tunes, cocktails, a silent auction, raffle, and a guy running around in a ninja suit and you have The Collection’s ‘White Space’ party last night at Design Within Reach in Boulder. Mad props to Mark Gosbee, Rafa Jenn, Scot Lefavor, Sara Sanderson, Jason Thielke, Ray Young Chu for creating such beautiful work in such little time. And extra props to the folks who run The Collection, a bubbling community of talented art appreciators who are working hard to push Boulder forward.

I checked out the opening party for Submit 2 Print at The Andenken in Denver on Friday night. The show consists of nearly 150 prints for sale from over 40 artists including Jeff Soto, Evan Hecox, Brendan Monroe, Tim Buskup, Chuck Anderson, Jason Thielke, Scot Lefavor, Ray Young Chu from The Yummies and many, many more. It runs through April 22nd– if you’re in the area and have a chance to see it I strongly recommend it, I haven’t seen that many talented artist’s prints for sale in one place ever before. Regretfully I didn’t take any pictures, but I’ll get some soon!

Time to kick off the year in review. Here are some of the most popular Art posts on JoshSpear.com as well as some of my favorites! They’re in no particular order…

Andy Kehoe’s work is, well, pretty damn wild. His paintings and illustrations are all a bit cryptic, some barbaric, but all really intriguing. Plane crashes, wild creatures fighting, drugs, etc. I think his work really deals with much larger cultural and feelings and issues like seclusion, anxiety, and fear… but then again no biography was available on his site so I might be making this all up! His work style reminds me a bit of Scot Lefavor.

Last Friday in Boulder, the young hipsters were out in masses– an unusual site to see them in such a large group away from “The Hill”. They were lined up outside a well-lit retail store– music, and heat poured from the double glass doors. People passing by on their way to the club next store gasped, “where are these people from?”. Realistically, Boulder got a glance at a demographic of young people who will probably be making their presence known more and more downtown after the opening of Installation Shoe Gallery, right off Pearl Street. The “Shoe Gallery” has a rotating theme–this months it’s “Positive Playground”. Nike Dunks, FC’s, and an array of other sneakers are placed creatively throughout the stores installed features; swings, see-saws, fake grass, across (brand new) toilets lined up against the back wall, and in retro lockers, reminiscent of high-school. The walls are covered in new artwork by Boulder/Denver locals Jason Thielke and Scot Lefavor. The public grand opening party will be this Friday evening, September 2nd. Finally, a sigh of relief, Boulder not only gets a shoe store– we actually get a damn good one… about time!

Let me formally congratulate Scot Lefavor on finally getting his website up and running! Check it out–it has been a long wait, but it was worth it. Scot is a graphic designer, extremely talented artist, and mega-cool guy from Boulder, Colorado. His wide range of work clearly shows this guy has got the goods. He work in painting and prints, relief and silkscreened, as well as murals–and has a seriously sharp eye when it comes to graphic design. Take special note to his relief work, on his website, they’re all very awesome, and rumor is many of them are for sale.