Creative Programming Highlights RiNo’s Role as a Hub for Arts, Community, and Culture with Events Set for Truss House and ArtPark All Summer Long
May 2025
RiNo Art District announces its full summer programming schedule. Anchoring the season is RiNo’s presenting sponsorship of the Denver Fringe Festival, along with dozens of events at Truss House and RiNo ArtPark ranging from experimental music and visual art exhibitions to fashion shows, family- friendly markets, and more.
RiNo is proud to serve as the presenting sponsor of the 2025 Denver Fringe Festival, taking place June 4–8 and featuring more than 70 original productions across theater, dance, circus, cabaret, and more. The festival takes place across over 20 venues including Backyard on Blake, Brew Dog, Fort Greene, Improper City, MATTER, Our Mutual Friend Brewing, Ratio Beerworks, Vib Hotel, and West & Main.
In addition to hosting several Fringe events, RiNo ArtPark will serve as the home base for a wide range of summer programming. Located at 1900 35th St., ArtPark is RiNo’s creative community hub, designed to bring together artists, neighbors, and visitors through public art, shared amenities, and affordable spaces. Within ArtPark is a 4,000-square-foot event venue, managed by the RiNo Art District and informally dubbed the Truss House, that offers flexible, affordable space for performances, exhibitions, and gatherings year-round.
“ArtPark has become the destination we always hoped it would be – a welcoming, community- driven place where people connect through art, culture, and shared experience,” said Rob Gray, Facilities & Events Manager at RiNo Art District. “It’s exciting to see how artists, nonprofits, and neighbors are making all of these spaces their own.”
Events taking place at RiNo ArtPark and the Truss House this summer include:
- Whiskey and Donuts (May 31) – A tasting event featuring pairings from local distilleries and artisan donut shops.
- FringeART Show & Sale (June 2–9) – A curated visual arts exhibition featuring work by Denver Fringe Festival artists.
- FringeART Artist Reception and Free Performance (June 5) – An opening reception with art for sale, followed by a live interdisciplinary performance of The Offering by Mariel Roberts Musa and Omar Musa.
- FringeART First Friday featuring DoviJ (June 6) – A closing celebration of the FringeART exhibit and a performance of The Lucid Dreamer by DoviJ.
- RiNo Summer Art Markets (June 14, July 26 & August 23) – Don't miss out on one of the best markets of the year! Hosted by Fireside at Five, the RiNo Summer Art Markets will feature 50 local artists and makers, live music, a free craft station with Fruits of our Labor, food trucks, a bar with complimentary Ratio beers for RiNo members (while supplies last), and a screenprinting station for the first 200 guests. Visitors can also explore poster art from Pop- Up Poster Institute artists inside Truss House and pop-ups from ArtPark partners like Denver Public Library and Alto Gallery.
- Bodies of Culture: Summer Solstice Gathering (June 22) – Hosted by Bodies of Culture, a BIPOC-led creative advocacy group, this free community event at RiNo ArtPark features Tai Chi, an interactive music session with DCI Tour, and live music from Enmanuel Alexander’s project Off the Cuff.
- Color of Fashion (June 28, July 19 & August 16) – A fashion series hosted at Truss House that merges contemporary design with cultural storytelling.
In addition to the full calendar of events above, RiNo is introducing Second Saturdays at ArtPark, a new year-round series of free, family-friendly events featuring rotating art exhibitions, live jazz, and short film screenings designed to highlight local creatives. Kicking off July 11, the first installment will feature a solo exhibition by Jasmine McGlade, filmmaker and Executive Producer of Oscar- winning film La La Land, alongside live jazz from The Orchestrator and an evening of short films curated by Film Friends.
RiNo’s First Friday events also continue to serve as a monthly staple for art lovers and community members. In 2024 alone, First Fridays brought more than 486,000 visitors to the district, with galleries, studios, and shops hosting open exhibitions, performances, and free public events. Visitors are encouraged to explore the full lineup of events happening on First Fridays at: rinoartdistrict.org/visit/first-fridays.
“Whether it’s a pop-up art market, an experimental performance, or a neighborhood gallery show, our summer programming shows why RiNo is the place where creativity and community come together,” said Gerald Horner, Interim Executive Director of Programs & Partnerships at RiNo Art District. “These events and programs play a crucial role in supporting the local economy in RiNo and we look forward to welcoming families and visitors to experience the district in fresh and meaningful ways this summer.”