Art, Music and More Coming to Denver’s Central Park
With a fashion academy at Stanley Marketplace and black box theater down the street, Factory Five Five aims to support, train and empower artists
Daisys Day Speakeasy. Photo by From The Hip Photo.
A new art collective is taking Denver’s Central Park neighborhood by storm, bringing a full line-up of classes in fashion, film, theater and photography to the city’s young and young-at-heart.
Factory Art Students. Photo by From The Hip Photo.
Factory Five Five was founded as a way to bring together different arts communities that are often siloed, offering a common space for collaboration between various artforms. Its youth programs teach children about various artistic trades, while also helping build life skills like discipline, public speaking and setting and achieving measurable goals, according to a press release.
Factory Film. Photo by From The Hip Photo.
Industry professionals receive access and opportunities to earn a living wage, showcase their artistic talents and build a career in the arts — something that can be difficult to do in metro Denver.
Skye Barker Maa At Factory Five Five. Photo by From The Hip Photo.
“We want to provide aspiring artists, designers and creators opportunities for self sustainability,” said Skye Barker Maa, owner of Factory Five Five, in the press release. “They need a space to create, people to collaborate with, appropriate funding and a way to get the word out. We created a place and system that supports them and can exhibit their work.”
Factory Art. Photo by From The Hip Photo.
While the company has been around for almost two years — it got started in January 2020, just a few months before the COVID-19 pandemic took hold — it’s celebrating its grand opening this fall with the move of its Fashion Academy to Stanley Marketplace. The move also comes with the ability to welcome the community in for regular classes and performances at its black box theater.
Factory Fashion Team. Photo by From The Hip Photo.
Factory Fashion Academy, a fashion design and sewing school with classes for youth, teens and adults, has been operating out of its 25th Avenue location since early this year, but it’s new home at Stanley Marketplace will double as an immersive theater location and live music bar.
Factory Fashion. Photo by From The Hip Photo.
“We are thrilled Skye Barker Maa has chosen Stanley Marketplace as the new home to Factory Fashion Academy,” said Ally Fredeen, general manager at Stanley Marketplace, in the press release. “Supporting the arts and creative industries is of great value to us, and we look forward to this new concept where students of all ages can connect and learn in a fun setting.”
Factory Fashion. Photo by From The Hip Photo.
Factory Five Five will offer a wide range of classes in a wide range of areas, including sewing and fashion design, acting, filmmaking, photography and fine arts.
Factory Five Five Black Box Theater entrance
The Factory Five Five black box theater is located just around the corner from Stanley Marketplace at 10255 E. 25th Ave., Suite A3 and A5, in Aurora. Daisy’s Day Speakeasy will be held in the black box Friday and Saturday nights from Sept. 10 through 25.
Daisys Day Speakeasy. Photo by From The Hip Photo.
Presented by Factory Five Five’s Bizarre Cafe, the production will invite audiences to have a direct impact on parts of the story, creating a fully immersive and interactive experience. The show features live music, performances by jk-co dance and cocktails from Factory Five Five’s Velvet Underground Coffee Shop and Bar.
The speakeasy will host something different every weekend, ranging from vaudeville acts to dance performances and featuring “the stylings of canaries and crooners alike for an all-out swinging good time,” according to the company’s website.
Tickets are $40 in advance, $45 at the door, and groups of six or more can book tickets for $30, in advance only.
