Meet Alexandrea Pangburn | Artist/Muralist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexandrea Pangburn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexandrea, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk is necessary in nurturing your growth as an artist. I think that 100% where I’m at today is because I take risks not only in my life, but in my art. Trying new things is a risk – will it fail, will it be a success? I took a risk by moving to Colorado with no job, leaving a great job and all my friends back in Ohio – but making the move to Colorado allowed me to be able to develop and find my art. I took a risk on using spray paint for the first time three years ago in a mural festival here in Denver, and now it’s one of my main mediums. Risk is necessary. Risk allows for growth. Risk makes you who you are.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is centered around animal education and conservation. With all the development and growth in society today, I feel that a lot of our native plants and animals have become endangered or extinct. It’s up to us to be aware of their presence and intentional about conserving their existence so that we can continue to share them with future generations. I’m most proud and excited that I’ve been given the opportunity to create art publicly and on large scale. It’s a privilege to be able to paint on buildings and walls and I have to use that privilege to educate on the thing(s) that I’m most passionate about. Getting here certainly wasn’t easy – but staying focused, driven, and motivated of achieving an ultimate goal of creation is something that has led me to where I want to be. Networking with other artists and organizations that have the same values and goals as me, also helped put me where I am today. I want people to be more intentional about what they leave behind and the animals that we share this earth with. Education on local species – what is in your backyard?

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day1 – Lunch at Rosenbergs Deli in Five Points. American Museum of Western Art in Denver. Drive up to Lookout Mountain in Golden. Dinner at Miner’s Saloon in Golden. Day2 – grab a to-go sandwich from Meir’s Deli in Golden. Drive to Saint Mary’s Glacier for hike then lunch. Dinner at Woody’s Pizza in Golden. Day3 – Breakfast at Snooze. Walking around the RiNo Art District. Lunch picnic at the ArtPark. Grab a drink at Gold Point. Dinner at Mister Oso. Game of pool at Gerards Pool Hall. Day4- Indian Hot Springs in Idaho Springs. Lunch at Smokin Yard in Idaho Springs. Hike around the Mt. Evans area. Dinner and drinks at Il Posto. Day5- Drive down to Colorado Springs to see Garden of the Gods. Lunch at the Hippie Hut. Drive up Pikes Peak. Dinner and ping pong at Ace Eat Serve in Denver. Day6- Breakfast at Bonfire Burritos in Golden. Hike up Boulder Flatirons. Lunch at Woodgrain Bagels. Rent mountain bikes. Ride Valmont Bike Park. Dinner at Black Belly. Day7- Breakfast at Sassafrass in Golden. Hike Mayhem Gulch. Lunch at Bob’s Burger in Golden. Rent intertubes and float down Clear Creek. Beer from New Terrain and dinner from on-site food truck.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I owe a lot to Tracy Weil – he took a risk in hiring me when I first moved to Colorado; and he helped integrate me into the art scene. The RiNo Art District has been essential in supporting my career as well as motivate me to be a better person and artist. My partner, Scott Santee, is always supportive and my best collaborator. Christina and Mike Eisenstein for being the catalyst to making my dream of creating an all womxn’s mural festival come true last year and ultimately creating space for those that thought they didn’t have any. Not to mention all the incredible artists that I’ve come across in my time in Denver – there’s too many to even count. And lastly, my family and friends have done nothing but continue to support my artistic and personal endeavors.

Website: www.alexandreapangburn.com

Instagram: @alexandrea_pang

Image Credits
Photo of me painting: Credit: Tyler Vitello ( IG: @dittlo_)