I think all creative expression is an experiment. The creator may know what they’re aiming for, but there’s no guarantee things will pan out the way you hope. The often-abstract act of making is what Walker Fine Art gallery owner Bobbi Walker is exploring in the new exhibit, Experimental Expressions.

“In featuring these artists who work abstractly, we are recognizing a creative act as an experiment,” Walker explained. “This can ease the weight of seriousness for the artist and allow room for free-flowing ideation through creative spontaneity and emotional expression.”

On view at the gallery, 300 W. 11th Ave., No. A, in Denver, through Saturday, Sept. 4, Experimental Expressions features the work of six artists who, according to provided information, “seek balance between inner narratives and outside influences, expanding upon their individual discoveries through sculpture, drawing, painting and mark-making.”

The participating artists (along with some information provided by the gallery) are:

Atticus Adams, whose “sculptural work is inspired by the nostalgia of summers at his grandmother’s house … Adams’ sculptures are touchstones of happy times.”

Deidre Adams, for whom “making abstract work is often about solving problems of her own creations … [her] pieces present a constant and intriguing dialogue of color, form and texture.”

Carol Browning, who is working towards “unlocking the sights, sounds and movement of nature. (She) presents visual symphonies on canvas, an expression in mark-making and vibrant color that emphasize the rhythms of life.”

Patricia Finley “presents works from her experiments with ink. In all works, color is the underlying theme, result and purpose behind her creations.”

Melanie Grein is displaying “a new body of work that projects buoyancy … Grein’s paintings, which explore relationships of space, line, color and texture, interpret land, sky and water to offer calm and solace.”

Ben Strawn, whose “newest works are predicated on a practice of automatic drawing executed in charcoal on paper. (His) constructed images become worlds of form, abstract landscapes of shape, color, chiaroscuro, and movement.”

When putting together an exhibit, Walker said the artists communicate frequently about their work, which allows the gallery to do some pre-curation. Once the exhibits arrive, the pieces that best hold together as a cohesive whole are gathered into a show where they all compliment each other.

“I believe it is the quintessential summer exhibition, light and buoyant, punctuated with bursts of vibrant color,” Walker said. “The desire to capture the feeling of joy and release which only summer brings that is encapsulated in the artists’ dynamic compositions and use of vivid color.”

Find more information at www.walkerfineart.com.

Celebrate a decade of the 40 West Artline

Not to be that guy, but I remember when Lakewood’s 40 West Artline had just started. And now we’re about to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 4-mile walking and biking art route located along iconic West Colfax Avenue and the W Line light rail.

The party will be from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 6 (it also marks the return of the Colfax Art Crawl) and will feature food trucks, Joy Bomb from the Handsome Little Devils performing, tours of the district, live music and a variety show, children and family craft stations and a community painting event. As is always the case with the art crawls, the district’s galleries will host art events, openings, DIY crafts and more.

For all the details, visit www.40WestArts.org.

‘Three Viewings’ comes to John Hand Theater

Firehouse Theater Company and Wheat Ridge Theatre Company have joined to present Jeffrey Hatcher’s “Three Viewings,” to the John Hand Theater, 7653 E. 1st Place in Denver. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on some Thursdays and Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, from Friday, Aug. 13 through Saturday, Sept. 4.

Directed by Maru Garcia, the show is centered around three comic/dramatic monologues set in a Midwestern funeral parlor over a three-day weekend — “Tell-Tale,” “The Thief of Tears” and “Thirteen Things About Ed Carpolotti.” This provides audiences the chance to immerse themselves in three different perspectives about death thanks to each character’s unique story. Jaime Lewis, Kiso Kyle and Debra Gallegos are the three storytellers.

Tickets are available by calling 303-562-323 or visiting firehousetheatercompany.com.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Wilco and Sleater-Kinney at Red Rocks

Wilco and Sleater-Kinney are two of the 90’s best bands. Both took sounds that were often familiar (alt-country in the case of Wilco and punk rock for Sleater-Kinney) and injected it with their own original energy and stylings. Both bands have held onto their power in the ensuing decades, oftentimes producing some of their best work after significant time in the industry.

This makes the fact that they’re playing Red Rocks Amphitheater, 18300 W. Alameda Parkway in Morrison, a perfect pairing for the nostalgic and those who can appreciate bands that can just rip it up. The show is at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 10. Both bands have stellar catalogs to pull from, and they’ll be joined by genre-bender NNAMDÏ.

Get tickets at redrocksonline.com/events/wilco-sleater-kinney.

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