Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art
Denver, CO
Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art
1201 Bannock Street Denver, CO 80204303.832.8576
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In May 1981, artist Vance Kirkland died, willing the majority of his estate to family friend Hugh Grant who had been curating exhibitions for Kirkland. Since Kirkland?s wife had already died and they had no children, Grant became executor of the estate. From 1981 to 1996, Grant mounted exhibitions of Kirkland?s work and that of other artists such as Edgar Britton and Otto Bach. By 1996, Grant became concerned that Colorado fine and decorative art was not being shown in depth in any museum setting. Many exceptional artists of the past were being forgotten.
Using Vance Kirkland?s Pearl Street studio & art school building, the Vance Kirkland Foundation was granted nonprofit, 501(c)(3) status as an operating foundation. In the late 1990s, while Grant took Kirkland?s paintings to nine European countries and Russia with thirteen exhibitions, construction began on an addition to the studio building, which became the first home of Kirkland Museum.
Kirkland Museum opened to the public on April 2, 2003, displaying the works of Kirkland, his Colorado and regional colleagues and international decorative art. Merle Chambers and Hugh Grant were married from 1989?2017. Chambers was influential in the growth of Kirkland Museum and Merle Chambers Fund provided the funding for the new museum building. Chambers is a founding member of the Kirkland Museum Board of Directors and provides ongoing support and guidance. Her support was instrumental in developing the international decorative art collection at Kirkland Museum, considered one of the most important design collections displayed in any North American museum.
Using Vance Kirkland?s Pearl Street studio & art school building, the Vance Kirkland Foundation was granted nonprofit, 501(c)(3) status as an operating foundation. In the late 1990s, while Grant took Kirkland?s paintings to nine European countries and Russia with thirteen exhibitions, construction began on an addition to the studio building, which became the first home of Kirkland Museum.
Kirkland Museum opened to the public on April 2, 2003, displaying the works of Kirkland, his Colorado and regional colleagues and international decorative art. Merle Chambers and Hugh Grant were married from 1989?2017. Chambers was influential in the growth of Kirkland Museum and Merle Chambers Fund provided the funding for the new museum building. Chambers is a founding member of the Kirkland Museum Board of Directors and provides ongoing support and guidance. Her support was instrumental in developing the international decorative art collection at Kirkland Museum, considered one of the most important design collections displayed in any North American museum.