Free night says 'skinny Democrat' (not Obama)

November 13, 4:31 PMDenver People ExaminerErnie Tucker

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Mayor Hickenlooper, skinny portrait and artist Malcolm Farley
(Photo courtesy: Rich Grant, Visit Denver)

The best word right now? Free.

And Friday, Denver becomes Ground Zero for zero cost -- when 11 museums throw their doors open from 5 to 10 p.m. to kick off the second annual Denver Arts Week, which runs until November 22 and features some 150 events.

“Our vibrant arts and cultural community makes Denver an enormously attractive place to live, work and play for people of all ages,” said Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper  -- the self-described "other skinny Democrat" at a press conference on Thursday. And to prove a point, the mayor allowed Denver artist Malcolm Farley to paint a portrait (from a photo) in about 90 minutes. That work will be displayed at Farley's Cherry Creek gallery.

There's more to this celebration than one night, of course. Seems like the Queen City is turning a century-and-a-half.

“As we celebrate Denver’s 150th birthday, we are reminded how important arts and culture are in the Mile High City – not just to our quality of life, but to our economic vitality as well,” Hickenlooper said.

Says Rich Grant of the newly-rechristened Visit Denver (a name change from Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau which took effect today) Friday's new Night at the Museums is based on the celebration, Nuit De La Musee in Paris. In the Mile High version, 11 Denver museums will open their doors for free special events, with free parking for revelers is at Cherry Creek Shopping Center with free (that magic word again) shuttles that leaving from there to all museums.

As for the Hickenlooper original -- which may not be as flashy as Farley's images of say John Elway and Dick Butkus -- it will be on display at Malcolm Farley Fine Art,  249 Clayton Street, through Denver Arts Week. The artist will have an open house on Nov. 21. At that time, visitors can also inspect Farley's portrait of President-elect Barack Obama, and decide who is the skinniest.