Fine-art photography is back in the Mile High City in a big way. Over the next few months, Month of Photography Denver will display the wide range of artistic capabilities photography affords artists. This biennial celebration attracts hundreds of artists looking to showcase their talents, and this (short) list of exhibits highlights just a few that are worth checking out.

An Intersection Of Local And Global Perspectives

Big Picture. This show takes street art to truly grand proportions. Images gathered from global photographers will be Xeroxed and wheat-pasted onto alleyways or walls around the Mile High City. Although there is some art inside traditional galleries, much of Big Picture takes place in approved outdoor locations—not just in Denver—all around the world. Use this map to find out where you should look; some of the art is already up.

ReCreative Opening. Portraits from four Colorado photographers highlight growing diversity across the Centennial State. Together, the gallery provides a snapshot of the individuals who make Colorado great. ReCreative Denver, March 3–31

Women Behind the Lens. Featuring 11 female artists in Colorado, these photographs challenge, celebrate, and confront issues specific to women of the Centennial State. Striking portraits, timeless black-and-white photos, and manipulated shots of nature are but a few methods these women use to express themselves. Parker Arts Culture and Events (PACE), March 1 to April 17; there is a reception on March 16

Andrea Wallace
Andrea Wallace’s portraits will be on display as part of the “Women Behind the Lens” exhibit at PACE. Photograph courtesy of Andrea Wallace
Brenda Biondo
A selection from Brenda Biondo’s “Paper Skies” exhibit. Photograph courtesy of Brenda Biondo
Matt Nager
This shot from Matt Nager will be included in the gallery at ReCreative Denver, which provides a snapshot of regular Coloradans. Photograph courtesy of Matt Nager
"Lithium"
“Lithium” courtesy of Jeff Klapperich
Karen Divine's "On the Boat"
“On the Boat,” courtesy of Karen Divine
Alpert + Kahn
Renee Alpert and Douglas Kahn make their return to Month of Photography Denver with “Of Progress.” Photograph courtesy of Alpert + Kahn

Abstract Photography

Metamorphosis: Transmutations. Colorado native Jeff Klapperich blends photography, sculpture, drawing, and alchemy to transform human figures to abstract elements such as shape, color, and texture. Each piece is a collection of eight photographs that represent the four stages of his process. Shot by shot, the images grow to appear less realistic, but Klapperich says the final product is “closer to the artistic truth.” Mike Wright Gallery, March 10–31

Process: the altered photo. This show features artists from Colorado and elsewhere who use photography as a starting point for his or her art. Each image has been altered and integrated into other media such as painting, collage, drawing, or digital art. Helikon Gallery, March 18 to April 22

Paper Skies and Of Progress. On the surface, the idea of an exhibit focused on the sky being paired with one about construction sites seems odd. But both exhibits similarly examine abstract compositions or shapes in our world. Paper Skies captures those concepts through nature—the sky, specifically—while Of Progress studies man-made compositions in an industrial setting. Goodwin Fine Art, March 2 to April 15

Social Issues

Hard Seasons. This show from Chuck Forsman centers on climate change, and includes shots from Colorado, California, Washington, and Oregon. The exhibit is split into three categories—fire, flood, and drought—and captures the current state of nature in parts of the American West. Mr. Pool Boulder, April 15 through May 

Silent Sentinels: Minutemen on the Plains. The Pawnee Grasslands in northeast Colorado are home to dozens of nuclear missile silos. Through his photographs, Evan Anderman juxtaposes the beautifully peaceful grasslands with silos that possess destructive power that would make this landscape unrecognizable. Evan Anderman Photography, March 2 to April 28