Art with Impact

Access Denied

In the Gallery

Image: Doubt Everything by Erik Hoy

Access Denied

a group exhibition featuring participants from

Access Gallery's Photography Residency

Being Grayson

new works by Julia Vandenoever

First Friday Art Walk: March 3, 2023 from 6 PM - 9 PM

Meet the Artists and Artist Talks: Friday, March 17, 2023

from 6 PM - 8 PM

On View: March 3 through March 25, 2023

Free and open to the public.

Access Gallery is excited to present two new exhibitions on display during Denver’s Month of Photography: Access Denied featuring participants from Access Gallery’s Photography Residency; and Being Grayson featuring new works by photographer Julia Vandenoever.

Access Denied is an exploration of street photography through the lens of disability activism. This show is a culmination of Access Gallery's photography residency program taught by teaching artists Ron Davis and Andre Rodriguez. Artists were supplied with cameras, mentorship, and instruction to document their experiences on the streets of Denver.

Davis states:

“The human experience is denied if access is not given to every form. We often think of physical barriers and isolation when it comes to people with disabilities but also consider the other areas that are denied to this community: personal expression, emotional space, individuality, talent, experimentation, and meaningful relationships. Access Gallery’s photography residency gave room for exploration, discovery, curiosity, and imagination to tell a story through the disabled lens.

Participating Artists: Annalyse, Andre Rodriguez, Corey, Daniel James, Erik Hoy, Ron Davis

Cartoon of tiki man holds sticks with fire. Looks angry.

Image: Being Grayson by Julia Vandenoever

On our Spotlight Wall, we will exhibit Being Grayson, a series of mixed media photography by Julia Vandenoever, which tells the story of her son Grayson who lives with ADHD and dyslexia. The series documents his daily life through portraiture and artifacts. We are invited to read Grayson’s emotional responses to the images of himself and peek into his work through his own art projects, letters, to-do lists, and more. This collaboration between mother and son tells a compelling story of love, exasperation, and, ultimately, triumph.

Vandenoever states:

“As a child with ADHD and dyslexia, Grayson’s whole world operates on a separate frequency. Both of these are neurological, which means his brain is wired differently. There are no outward physical signs. The differences are shown through behavior like disorganization, forgetfulness, and impulsivity.

Being Grayson is an exploration and celebration of Grayson's process, a process that is often misunderstood. For me, guiding him along his path at times has been isolating. The act of photographing both his and my experiences is cathartic and promotes understanding and acceptance to the mystery of his logic. We’ve learned how to have a dialogue. By slowing down alongside him, not asking him to change, I see his beauty and gifts to the world. There is space for Grayson to be Grayson.”