Driving to the DAM


Jeremiah, Zelda, and I picked up Jeremy's parents around 09:30. We drove down Alameda until we were closer to downtown Denver, and after a few turns, and a trip around the block, we parked in front of the main Denver Public Library at a meter. We maxed out the meter at one hour, and then walked across the street to the Denver Art Museum.

The Tangled Self


We had gotten tickets ahead of time for the Free Day, and we promptly walked up to the counter to present them. We were, in turn, given stickers to show that we have admission covered, and we passed by the security officers. Our group shuffles over to the elevator and we go up to the second floor.


The first exhibit we see is The Tangled Self by Sadie Young in collaboration with Spectra Art Space. It's fiber art making up a large colorful creature of sorts. Inside the creature are negative thoughts, and on the outside are these flowers that when you press a button show positive thoughts. I had a proud mama moment, because almost all of Zelda's affirmations were included in the positive thought flowers.


Her affirmations:

You are wanted.

You are loved.

You are smart.

You are beautiful.

You are brave.

You are creative.

You are kind.

Adult and child admire colorful floral wall art display in a vibrant museum exhibition gallery.

French Impressionists


We went through the area with the French Impressionist paintings, and I got to show Jeremiah and his parents my favorite painting. Last time I was here, Zelda really liked Monet paintings, but today she wants to be entertained. The paintings are not doing their job in entertaining the twenty month old. Understandable. I take her and walk towards an area where there was a whole kiddie play area set up during my last visit. Unfortunately, it is nowhere to be found, but there are these puzzle piece cushions that she thinks are great. I'll take a win where I can get one!

Grandmother and toddler girl playing on colorful puzzle-shaped foam seats in a modern indoor play area.

By Design


We stopped in the By Design: Stories and Ideas Behind Objects exhibit. While the grandparents explored, Zelda and I colored. You're supposed to design furniture, but we did not. I also took a picture of Jeremiah and I in the mirror nearby, and then a picture of the three of us as a family.

Two visitors pose for a photo in a modern art gallery with colorful graphic design posters displayed on the wall behind them.
Two people posing in an art gallery with colorful graphic design posters displayed on the wall behind them.

European Art Before 1800 Galleries


We went up the elevator and explored the European Art Before 1800 Galleries. Zelda wasn't too interested in the art, but she thought the benches in the middle of each gallery room were great. Jeremy and his dad seemed to enjoy looking at the art. She and I also practiced our colors by naming the colors of the walls in each gallery since they are all painted a different shade.

Woman and young girl interact in a blue-walled art museum gallery with landscape paintings on display.
Young girl sitting on a bench in an art museum, admiring colorful paintings on a teal wall.
Visitors viewing classic paintings on blue walls in an art museum gallery.

Creative Hub


We ventured back to the main floor of the main building of the museum to go into the Creative Hub - an area where kids can make art in a variety of media. Zelda had a lot of fun playing with yarn and coloring with markers.

Two people viewing a colorful textile wall hanging with blue and multicolored woven yarn patterns on display.

Heading Home


We left the museum at this point because we needed to get Jeremiah to work on time. I honestly will wait a few more years until bringing Zelda back. I'm so disappointed they didn't have the playhouse still set up for her to have fun with. I really think that could have made a lot of difference with our visit. Ah well. We'll see you in a few years, DAM!