Around Town

By Jon DeStefano

     Now Showing: Vintage Southwestern and Native American Jewelry,1221 S. Pearl St., Denver CO 80210 Tuesday thru Saturday 12:00 – 6:00. For more Information call (303) 548-5467.

     Sowilo Artisan Jewelry, specializing in repair and restoration of vintage and antique silver jewelry, stone cutting and polishing, bead re-stringing and custom hand crafted designs in silver. Vintage jewelry lovingly restored to their old glory.

The Denver landmark Kirkland Museum is moving from 13th Avenue and Pearl Street to 12th Avenue and Bannock Street. There it will have more room to display the vast collection of the last abstract expressionist painter Vance Kirkland and the impressive works from more than 600 other Colorado artists. The new building has 38,500  square feet which is 70 percent more exhibition space than before. It will allow the founding director Hugh Grant to exhibit many of the additional 20,000 objects that are now in storage. The home accessories that are included in the exhibits range from art deco and art nouveau to modern and post-modern. The visit to the Kirkland has always pleased visitors wanting to satisfy their desire to see this charming approach to decorative arts.

Dan and Tracy Vinton, owners of Barn and Barrel Antiques Art and Salvage in Florence, Colorado are offering a fun and exciting new feature to their antique shop. They have incorporated into it a vintage vine bar and visiting area into it and are offering customers wine tasting. How cool is that.

They, of course, still have all their great antiques and primitive treasures including art and architectural salvage, wine and whisky barrels and all their great rustic antiques. Stop by and enjoy. They are at 115 West Main Street in Florence, Colorado the Antique Capital of Colorado.

An antique shoppers paradise, Florence features more than a dozen antique shops and co-ops and has become a favorite destination for many Coloradans and out-of-state visitors to go treasure hunting. You’ll find plenty of dining there as well everything from hearty down home breakfasts, bakeries and hand tossed pizzas to fine dining.

Florence is also the home of several art galleries and working artists studios where you can watch potters work their potter’s wheel and painters paint on fresh canvases.

Florence is a renowned destination for antiques, art, gifts and eateries. You really can find it all in Florence. (See their ad on page 22 of this issue.)

Come to historic downtown Florence, Colorado to celebrate the 14th anniversary of one of southern Colorado’s favorite car, truck and hotrod shows! This is a laid-back noncompetitive showing of classic cars, fun events, good food and shopping in Historic Florence, Colorado. The show started with only eleven cars in 2002 and has grown to over 170 in the past few years. With 3 blocks of Main St. (Colo. Hwy, #115) closed off, the local businesses host over 170 cars for the one day event. Enjoy the day looking at antique, classic and custom vehicles, touring the many antique stores and art galleries with several eateries mixed in. Admission is free to the public. A $25.00 registration fee for vehicles is required. There will be drawings for door prizes and cash. For information contact Dick @ (520) 403-5204 email: dp31upton@yahoo.com

The historic Western Hardware Antique Mall in Leadville, Colorado is for sale. Owners Bruce and Hillery McCalister have put their business and the historic 1881 building on the market. Perhaps one of the finest and most unique antique malls, it is also one of the most successful antique businesses for the last 26 years. Western Hardware Antique Mall is a 10,000 square foot building and it has two stories full of dealers, over 50. There is always an ongoing waiting list as this year- round tourist town keeps the mall packed with customers and dealers are constantly restocking their goods. If you are thinking of entering the world of antique malls, this is a unique opportunity. For more information call the owners at 719-486-2213.