Clyfford Still Museum | Denver

Information

Landmark: Clyfford Still Museum
City: Denver
Country: USA Colorado
Continent: North America

Clyfford Still Museum, Denver, USA Colorado, North America

The Clyfford Still Museum is an art museum located in Denver, Colorado, dedicated to the works of Clyfford Still.

It houses the largest and most comprehensive collection of the artist's work, spanning his entire career.

Visual Characteristics

The museum building is constructed primarily of dark, textured concrete, with a distinctive angular design. Its exterior features sharp lines and a monolithic appearance, intended to complement the scale and intensity of Still's artwork. The interior spaces are designed with controlled natural light, utilizing skylights and strategically placed windows to illuminate the artwork without direct sunlight. The gallery walls are neutral in color, typically white or light gray, to provide a backdrop that emphasizes the paintings.

Location & Access Logistics

The Clyfford Still Museum is situated at 1250 Bannock Street, Denver, CO 80204, within the Denver Art Museum complex. It is approximately 1.6 kilometers (1 mile) southwest of the Denver central business district. On-site parking is available in the adjacent Denver Art Museum parking garage, accessible from Bannock Street. Public transportation options include Denver's RTD bus system; several routes stop within a short walking distance, including routes serving the Civic Center Station, which is approximately 0.8 kilometers (0.5 miles) north.

Historical & Ecological Origin

The museum was designed by architect Brad Cloepfil and opened in November 2011. It was conceived and funded through the estate of Clyfford Still, who stipulated that his collection be housed in a dedicated museum. The site itself is part of Denver's Civic Center Park, an urban green space established in the early 20th century.

Key Highlights & Activities

Visitors can view over 800 paintings and 1,500 works on paper by Clyfford Still. The museum offers rotating exhibitions of his work, providing different perspectives on his artistic development. Educational programs and lectures are also scheduled throughout the year. Access to the museum's archives is available by appointment for qualified researchers.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Restrooms are available on all public levels. Limited shaded areas are present in the immediate outdoor vicinity of the museum entrance. Cell phone signal (4G/5G) is generally reliable within the museum. Food and beverage options are not available on-site, but several restaurants and cafes are located within a 0.5km radius in the surrounding downtown area.

Best Time to Visit

The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday. For optimal lighting conditions within the galleries, visiting during daylight hours is recommended. The months of April through October generally offer the most stable weather for travel to Denver.

Facts & Legends

Clyfford Still famously kept his vast collection of artwork largely unseen by the public during his lifetime, intending for it to be exhibited in a dedicated museum after his death. His will specified that the collection could not be sold or exhibited elsewhere, making the Denver museum its sole permanent home.