Story by Ethan Clark

Photos by Giles Clasen

Art is one of the most meaningful parts of Denver’s identity. From the various art districts and museums to the sculptures at the Convention Center, art has defined how people see Denver almost as much as the mountains that serve as the city’s backdrop. While most of Denver’s art scene is confined to specific places that require people to go out of their way to see, one art form breaks the mold and brings color and life to even the most unimportant places: murals.

Murals are a unique medium, as they offer a degree of freedom that other art forms lack. They can be found on the sides of shops to attract customers, in schools to convey a warm, welcoming environment to students, and in businesses, neighborhoods, and communal spaces.

In an interview with Denver VOICE, Denver-based artists Andreas Kremer and Reina Luna, the co-founders of Bright Space Murals, discussed how they use art to bring the community together.

THE ARTISTS BEHIND BRIGHT SPACE MURALS

Andreas Kremer and Reina Luna, who are partners, created Bright Space Murals to bring art to businesses, schools, or anyone else interested in enhancing their surroundings. Kremer, originally from Maryland, moved to Colorado to pursue his love of snowboarding. He spent a winter working at Keystone Resort before moving to Denver to work for Never Summer, a popular snowboard brand. Reina Luna, who was born and raised in Denver, has been a massage therapist for over seven years and has had a passion for art for decades. She and Kremer met through a mutual friend after the COVID lockdowns ended and the world began to reopen.

Kremer became interested in painting murals after watching the YouTube channel Ten Hundred, and his job at Never Summer offered him the opportunity to paint one of his own.

According to Kremer, he was inspired to paint an ugly, rusting shipping container outside the Never Summer factory, wanting to make sure the first thing people entering the factory saw was more visually appealing. He said that he had never made anything like this before, but drafted a design to show the owners — who were impressed — and they gave him the chance to try.

Kremer said the project was difficult, but turned out to be a great success and launched his career as a muralist. Luna, who helped with Kremer’s first mural, was daunted by the challenge this project presented.

“I was way out of my comfort zone, and I had no idea how we were going to do this, but [I told him] if you want to do this, I will help you out,” Luna said. “It turned out really good, and I was really proud of the hard work.” 

“These murals are really not for us, they’re for either this space or this community, or the area where we’re leaving it,” Kremer said.

“The murals [are] an extension of us to the community, sharing our own creative effort in a space that’s public for everyone to enjoy and interpret in your own way,” Luna said.

Since creating their first mural, Kremer and Luna have continued painting murals for anyone interested in their art. They also host workshops with local high schools, including George Washington High School and Prep Academy. During these workshops, students design and make the mural with their guidance.

Is this team cursed? The Denver Nuggets have been dealing with significant injuries throughout the entire 2025-26 season, and in game 77, they still cannot catch a break.

The Nuggets are battling the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on Wednesday night, looking to extend their winning streak to seven games. However, in the first half, both Peyton Watson and Tim Hardaway Jr. exited with injuries.

Watson left Wednesday’s matchup due to right hamstring tightness, and Hardaway Jr. left with left knee soreness, as both key bench players were announced questionable to return.

Two more key injuries for Denver

Watson has been dealing with a hamstring injury for the past two months, and after returning from a 19-game absence because of it, it is obviously still bothering him. However, Watson’s minute restriction was expected to ramp up against the Jazz, suggesting his condition was improving, but he seems to have suffered a setback.

Hardaway Jr., on the other hand, has been one of Denver’s healthiest players this season. Only Hardaway Jr., Bruce Brown, and Jamal Murray have played in 70+ games this season, but the star sixth man got banged up on Wednesday night.

The Nuggets cannot seem to stay healthy, but things were looking up when they finally got their entire rotation healthy at the same time last week. Now, they have suffered multiple injuries in back-to-back games, and with under two weeks left in the regular season, it could not be a worse time for the injury bug to strike again.

The rise of Watson

Watson has been Denver’s most surprising player this season, bursting onto the scene as a rising star. Of course, the 23-year-old wing has shown promise in the past, but he put it to the test this season, making the most of his opportunities while most of the Nuggets roster was banged up.

Before reaggravating his injury on Wednesday, Watson had six points through nine minutes of action on 3-5 shooting from the field. The standout wing has been streaky since returning from injury, so these last handful of regular season games are crucial for him to find a rhythm before the playoffs.

If the Nuggets want to make a deep playoff run, Watson’s two-way impact will be a legitimate x-factor, so the team is undoubtedly hoping that he is feeling fine after leaving Wednesday’s game.

Hardaway Jr.’s impact

Despite being on a veteran minimum contract, Hardaway Jr. has been one of Denver’s most important players this season, as well as one of the NBA’s top sixth men.

Hardaway Jr.’s scoring off the bench has been crucial for the Nuggets, averaging 13.8 points per game while shooting 41% from three-point range. He is tied with Jamal Murray for the most games by a Nugget this season with four or more three-pointers, being one of Denver’s steadiest threats from beyond the arc.

Similar to Watson, if the Nuggets want to have a deep playoff run, Hardaway Jr.’s hot hand off the bench will be key. Keeping both of these guys healthy will be huge for the Nuggets, so they are certainly hoping neither injury is anything serious.

The Denver Summit is eyeing the future, acquiring land at Santa Fe Yards for a new NWSL stadium in the Mile High City. 

Summit controlling owner Rob Cohen called the move a milestone for the club and city.

“This is a defining moment for Denver Summit FC and for the future of women’s professional sports in our city,” Cohen said.

“We are incredibly grateful to Mayor Mike Johnston, Denver City Council, and the broader Denver community for helping turn this vision into a reality.”

Located near Interstate 25, the 2026 expansion side’s purpose-built venue is part of a broader redevelopment project. Additional entertainment venues will subsequently surround the roughly 14,500-seat stadium. 

“This will be the largest overall investment in a women’s professional sports team in history,” Cohen said in an earlier team release. “[It will] provide us a distinct home-field advantage and will serve as the most inclusive environment in all of Colorado.” 

The blueprints incorporate the ability to expand beyond the stadium’s initial 14,500 seats. The team has additionally voiced interest in eventually extending the capacity closer to 20,000.

The move comes after Denver set an NWSL attendance record, drawing 63,004 fans to its Mile High Stadium home opener.

The Summit joined the US soccer league as its 16th franchise earlier this month. The team currently sits eighth in the NWSL standings, carrying a 1-1-2 early season record.

While construction timelines remain in progress, the club will use temporary venues before transitioning to a permanent home. Development is expected to unfold over the next few years, with the club targeting a 2028 opening.