Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art

Did you know that Denver has a museum dedicated to design and decorative art?

I didn't, until I recently stumbled across the Kirkland Museum. The striking yellow tiles of the building and signage for an Art Deco exhibition (one of my favorite design eras) caught my eye, and I knew I just had to check it out.

If you are a lover of fine art, decorative art, and furniture design, the Kirkland Museum is a must see.

With around 4,400 items covering a span of 150 or so years of art and design, there's a wealth of artistry on display in the Kirkland's distinctive building. I honestly didn't know what to expect before I stepped inside, but I'm happy to say that I was pleasantly surprised. I found myself in awe as I made my way through each salon style room; smile on my face as I took in all the detail. And there's a LOT of detail!

Let's take a look...

The Kirkland Museum is home to three permanent collections:

🔶 International Decorative Art
🔶 Colorado & Regional Art
🔶 Vance Kirkland

Given that there is much overlap in the styles based on the era, the collections are shown together in a salon style, rather than being divided into separate areas of the museum. As you make your way from room to room throughout the museum, you'll find yourself transported through time.

The International Decorative Art collection features furniture and decorative art from the 1870s onwards including movements such as Arts & Crafts, Art Nouveau, De Stijl, Bauhaus, Art Deco, Modern, Pop Art, Post Modern, and more.

The Colorado & Regional Art collection is more focused on painting, sculpture and decorative art covering movements including Realism, Impressionism, Surrealism, Abstraction, and more.

The Vance Kirkland collection features a retrospective of Colorado painter, and museum namesake,  Vance Kirkland (1904 - 1981). Kirkland's studio also features in the collection and is housed in his art school, which was relocated from it's original location to where the museum sits today.

Given that the collections are displayed alongside each other, it's a little tricky for me to divide them accurately in this post, so I've grouped them into movements that share similar qualities. I've kept them to a fairly chronological order, although some pieces are a little mixed up.

Art s & Crafts, Realism, Impressionism & Art Nouveau

International Style, Bauhaus & De Stijl

Art Deco & Surrealism

Modern, Pop Art, Post Modern & Abstraction

Ceramics & Sculpture

Vance Kirkland Collection

I mentioned earlier that it was signage for an Art Deco exhibition that initially caught my eye. I've already shared a little of the Art Deco work that can be found throughout the museum, but you'll also find a dedicated temporary exhibition called "Vanity & Vice: American Art Deco" on display through June 1st 2025. Vanity & Vice is set up as two rooms in the home of a fictional progressive woman during the prohibition era. One room features her boudoir with clothing, dressing table, jewelry, and comfortable furniture, while the other is designed as a speakeasy with a large collection of Art Deco glassware. This exhibition is included with museum entry.   

Kirkland Museum is located at 1201 Bannock Street, Denver.

Entry is included with same day tickets for Denver Art Museum. Adult tickets start at $22 for Colorado residents and $27 for non-residents.

Due to the fragile nature of many of the pieces on display, Kirkland Museum is limited to guests ages 13 and above. Visitors between the ages of 13 and 18 are admitted free of charge. 

Kirkland Museum is open 11am - 5pm Wednesdays through Saturdays, and 12pm - 5pm on Sundays. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

For more information visit https://www.kirklandmuseum.org/.