There are certain features of living in the Centennial State that still have name recognition once you get out of Colorado. As the longest continuous street in the country, and one with all kinds of interesting inhabitants and history, Colfax Avenue certainly fits the bill.

That makes it easy to see why Denver International Airport elected to celebrate the street in its latest exhibit, Colfax Avenue: The Longest Continuous Street in the USA.

“Sometimes these exhibits are historic, other times scientific or cultural. But it was a lot of fun to feature something we’re kind of well known for,” said Jennifer Garner, exhibits curator at the airport. “Sometimes people think about all the crazy stuff that goes with Colfax, and they don’t realize the really rich history there and what’s happening now.”

The exhibit will be on display through June, located on Ansbacher Hall in the Jeppesen Terminal, Level 6 North, before A Bridge Security.

To put the exhibit together, Garner worked with a variety of organizations, including the 40 West Arts District, The Colfax Museum, the Denver Film Society and Historic Denver. These organizations donated modern and historic artifacts to help give a glimpse of Colfax’s story.

“We all know Colfax has its own legend and lore, so we were very selective about the artifacts we donated for inclusion,” said Bill Marino, 40 West board chair of and executive director for the Lakewood West Colfax Business Improvement District. “We included a hubcap that has been turned into a piece of art, magazines that tell our story, sculptures from local artists and more.”

For Garner, the best part about organizing the exhibit was the lesser-known facts she learned about the exhibit. For example, there used to be many country-western bars on East Colfax, so many that it was known as the Nashville of the West.

“I recommend visitors pay attention to all the details included in the exhibit,” said Alex Renteria, public information officer at the airport. “It’s like coming home for people returning to Denver, and it’s a chance to experience our home’s history for everyone else.”

For more information, visit www.flydenver.com/art.

Using the arts to explore the idea of a homeland

There’s been a lot of heated debate recently about borders and what it means to belong to one country or another. The Colorado History Center, in collaboration with the Northern Río Grande National Heritage Area, offers a unique artistic perspective with its new pop-up exhibit, “Without Borders.”

The exhibit features artists from southern Colorado, northern New Mexico and beyond who, according to information from the museum, “explore the concept of Borderlands and what homelands are today.”

Curated by Leland Chapin, the exhibit showcases diverse art media — including photography, jewelry, ceramics and more — as a way to foster introspection and conversation about where we all belong.

The exhibit runs at the center, 1200 Broadway in Denver, through Sept. 2. Find more information at www.historycolorado.org/exhibit/without-borders-denver.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — The 1975 at Red Rocks

England’s The 1975 are a gleefully divisive pop-rock band in an age when so many work hard to offend nobody. Fronted by Matt Healy, the group has taken a tongue-in-cheek approach to everything from social media and superstardom to contemporary romance and modernity (which “has failed us”).

Over the course of their three albums, the group has become one of my favorite modern artists, especially because of the ‘80s pop and new wave sonicscapes they pair with their razor-sharp lyrics. And Healy is one of the best frontmen working in music these days.

The 1975 will be joined by acolytes Pale Waves and No Rome at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, 18300 W. Alameda Parkway in Morrison.

The evening promises to be one of the best shows of Red Rocks’ season, and you shouldn’t miss it. Find tickets at www.redrocksonline.com/events/detail/the-1975.

An evening of literature with Ian McEwan

Ian McEwan is one of the most widely respected authors in British literature, with at least one classic to his name in the heartbreaking “Atonement.” The Booker Prize-winning author just released his latest book, “Machines Like Me” and will be stopping by Denver to mark the occasion.

The Tattered Cover Book Store is hosting McEwan at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1, at the New Hope Baptist Church, 3701 Colorado Blvd. in Denver.

To attend what is sure to be a fascinating evening, visit www.tatteredcover.com/event/ian-mcewan-machines-me.

Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. He can be reached at Clarke.Reader@hotmail.com.