Denver art and culture are alive this May – here’s a sampling of the best events happening next month.

Pixelated– Mark Whiting

The artist behind the RiNO Rhino explores the relationships between the natural and non-natural worlds through minimalist 8-bit sculpture placed throughout the beautiful botanic gardens. The juxtaposition of distinctly man-made materials and shapes and sprawling greenery may seem stark, but it calls on the viewer to examine the reality of the carefully curated natural space.

Denver Botanic Gardens at York Street, April 28 – September 23, included with garden admission. Learn more >>

Degas: A Passion for Perfection

Organized in association with the Fitzwilliam Museum at the University of Cambridge, Degas closes out its’ only American appearance on May 20th. Featuring over 100 works including paintings, drawings, pastels, etchings, monotypes, and bronze sculptures, viewers can traipse through the life and career of the legendary French artist known for his interest in horses, dancers, and nude figures.

Denver Art Museum, closes May 20th, included with museum admission. Learn more >>

Love Is The Message, The Message Is Death – Arthur Jafa

As we continue to grapple with issues of race as a nation, Arthur Jafa explores the many tendrils of blackness in popular culture and in everyday life. Using video and music to create a jarring testament to the struggles and the triumphs of African Americans, Jafa forces us to confront our thoughts, feelings, and biases in new and different ways.

MCA Denver, February 2 – May 13, included with museum admission. Learn more >>

Creating Art in the Dark – Jim Stevens

Multimedia artist Jim Stevens is legally blind. He currently works on layered monofilament line and acrylic panel. Stevens’ striking use of black pigment and empty space is wonderfully precise and deeply stirring.