Judy Weaver

Judy Weaver has been a pillar of the Art District on Santa Fe (ADSF) community since its inception. In 2003, Judy was part of the original cohort of creatives who established the Art District on Santa Fe and served on the Board of Directors as Community Liaison. In those early days, Judy helped represent ADSF as an inaugural Colorado Creative District, served on our Maintenance Board (prior to the establishment of the Santa Fe BID), and helped develop and coordinate many of the programs we are best known for today. 

Judy also helped develop the 910Arts artist community—the first of its kind in the area combining artist studios, live/work units, retail and gallery space. She created close relationships with the artist and creative tenants, offering her support, encouraging ideas, and stewarding both personal and communal creative projects. 

Beyond her official capacity as a member of the ADSF Board of Directors or as a leader at 910 Arts, however, Judy was and has remained an active member of the ADSF community, working tirelessly behind the scenes to support our local artists, identify and create new opportunities, and sustain the unique creative community that drives the Santa Fe corridor.

Judy is an active advocate for youth arts education and accessibility, and has partnered with many organizations, including Denver Public Schools and our very own Access Gallery, to create a number of youth development opportunities. Her Alley and Mural Beautification programs, for example, brought local youth and artists together to beautify previously unused or unkempt public spaces. Judy also worked with West High to utilize their parking lots on First Fridays. At a cost of $5/per car, this mutually beneficial initiative continues to help alleviate parking issues along the corridor and raises funds for youth art programs at the school.

Judy’s focus has always been to build upon the diversity of our Arts District, recognizing our unique culture and heritage as key to a thriving arts scene. She has long been recognized as an advocate for marginalized and underrepresented artists. From 2012-2022, she served as the curator at Coffee at the Point in the Five Points Neighborhood, where she curated exhibits that reflected the diverse surrounding community and showcased lesser-known artists. Today, Judy is the curator for 910Arts’ Tonantzin Casa De Café, again highlighting people of color and marginalized communities through her curatorial practice. She currently owns Kashi Kari Gallery at 910Arts, where she has been working to activate the space with exhibitions and workshops in honor of its previous owner, Abbas Khajeaian, who passed in 2021 and was a beloved member of the community. 

At 83 years of age, Judy remains an active participant in and all-around advocate for the Arts District on Santa Fe, tirelessly contributing her time, energy and enthusiasm. She has been described as a connector, idea generator, implementer, curator, advocate, promotor and trusted friend. It is safe to say that Denver’s Art District on Santa Fe would not be what it is without the selfless dedication, creativity, and advocacy of Judy Weaver.

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*Each organization nominated their honoree with an essay. Those essays are posted here, as submitted, to maintain the organization's unique voice and authenticity.

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