Denver artists Grow Love and Alexandrea Pangburn had noticed a pattern: Most of the opportunities for muralists were going to men. When they connected with other female artists who felt the same way, the idea for Babe Walls — a mural festival celebrating all female and non-binary artists — was born. Babe Walls would showcase local talent and, hopefully, spark some change. But for the artists behind what was originally going to be a one-time event, Babe Walls has had more impact than they'd ever expected.
The Babe Walls 2021 murals can be found along the Ralston Creek Trail in Arvada, where Ralston Road meets Lamar Street.
We’ve collaborated with Apple Maps to create a guide to the murals and special places you’ve heard about on Off the Walls. It features a map of some of the coolest public art in Colorado, plus photos of the murals we talk about on the show. To check it out, go to apple.co/Off-The-Walls.
Hosts: Kibwe Cooper, Emily Williams
Editor: Jo Erickson
Written and reported by Emily Williams
Mixed by Emily Williams
Denverite editor: Obed Manuel
Additional editorial support: Kevin Beaty, Erin Jones, Rebekah Romberg, Luis Antonio Perez
Theme music by Kibwe Cooper. Additional music via Universal Production Music.
Artwork: Maria Juliana Pinzón
Photography: Kevin Beaty
Executive producer: Brad Turner, Kevin Dale
Thanks also to Hart Van Denburg, Jodi Gersh, Kyle Harris, Desiree Mathurin, Kim Nguyen, Clara Shelton, Rebecca Tauber, Isaac Vargas, Arielle Wilson.
This show was produced with support from PRX, and is made possible in part by a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and a grant from the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation.
Off the Walls is a production of Denverite and Colorado Public Radio — part of the NPR Network.
