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RiNo gets new massive mural at 38th St. viaduct thanks to volunteers, artists, donors

Blue Moon Brewery chips in $20k for project
Posted at 5:33 PM, Dec 05, 2016
and last updated 2016-12-05 19:33:46-05

DENVER -- The wall art duo of Pat Milbery and Jason Graves is working tirelessly to finish up the majority of a massive new mural at 38th and Brighton Boulevard before this week’s storm.

The Union Pacific owned viaduct is getting a minor makeover thanks to the RiNo (River North) Art District, donations and volunteers who worked to prep the wall over the weekend.

“It's always kind of been an eyesore for years,” said Tracy Weil, co-founder of the RiNo Art District. “It's been unsafe."

“Sometimes, something simple like color can help brighten up their morning,” said Milbery of commuters who frequently travel through the viaduct.

“The underpass has been dark, dirty and a bit scary for a long time,” said Weil. “It’s a major connection between west RiNo and east RiNo.”

The project is part of a larger, ongoing rebirth of Denver's iconic RiNo neighborhood which has been ground zero for a recent explosion of murals on old warehouse buildings.

"It used to be drug infested, drab, people walking around with no purpose," said longtime resident Terrance Crumpton. “Now, it feels vibrant. It's enthusiastic. I like coming down here.”

The new art district is so innovative new businesses like Blue Moon Brewery are flocking to RiNo in droves. Blue Moon even chipped in $20,000 for the viaduct project.

"It's kind of a new business to come into the district and they embraced art right off the bat," said Weil.

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