Was there ever a place where art found a home unexpectedly? The Pattern Shop Studio in Denver is such a place. It stands as a testament to artistic innovation. It is located in the River North Art District or RiNo. This area was once Denver’s oldest industrial neighborhood. Today, prepare to discover its unique story.
The Pattern Shop Studio started within the hundred-year-old Box Ironworks. This building had many past lives. It manufactured equipment for Colorado gold mining. Later, it made harvesting equipment for the sugar beet industry. The Pattern Shop itself was where woodworkers crafted life-sized wooden patterns. These patterns became iron and steel products.
Then Sharon and Rex Brown bought the Pattern Shop in 1991. They collaborated with architect David Owen Tryba. Together, they transformed it into an AIA Award-winning space. It became a studio, a gallery and a home. Sharon became the artist in residence.
Sharon’s paintings have been exhibited for many years. Other artists have also displayed their work. These include photographers Michael Ensminger and Nick Del Calzo. Painter Eric Zimmer is among them too. The Pattern Shop Studio became a founding member of RiNo. It regularly participated in RiNo events and openings.
Step inside and imagine art blending with daily life. 5280 Magazine described it best. The art is spread throughout the Browns’ home. It fills stairwells, hallways and offices. You see art surrounded by furniture and daily objects. It shows how art can transform a space.
The Pattern Shop Studio is more than a gallery. It is a home. It fosters community through events and tours. Sharon and Rex invited people to make their home, their home. This created a space for learning and dreaming.
Rexford Brown once recalled a different view from his window. Trains and tumbleweeds were common. Change arrived with parking garages and hotels. After 33 years, The Pattern Shop Studio closed. Rex and Sharon decided to move.
Sharon’s art evokes memories. Her paintings capture colorful moments. Rex, an educator, supported her work. Together, they built a unique space. They welcomed visitors into their home and gallery. They became founding members of the RiNo Art District.
The Pattern Shop is the oldest gallery in RiNo. It innovated art presentation. It broke barriers by building a community. It was a meeting place of minds and art appreciators. The Pattern Shop Studio is open by appointment. It continues to inspire artists and visitors alike. The Pattern Shop Studio left an immeasurable effect on the district.