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

Hi Hayley, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
Anyone can collect art. If you save up what you spend on coffee for a few days a week you can buy a print. Once you live with unique art that expresses your personality and brings you joy, you’ll find the value in the investment. After spending some time with a print you might find that you’re ready to make a bigger investment in an original piece. I’ve had zero returns and I attribute that to the deep, emotional connection a collector has with the art they purchase.

Art is personal. It’s subjective. There’s no right or wrong way to view it. What matters is how you connect to the piece and whether the story behind the artwork or the artist resonates with you. The best way to figure out the type of art you like is to view it. Go to museums, attend exhibition openings or closings at galleries to see what speaks to you. Once you immerse yourself in art you’ll find that it’s more than a decoration or something interesting to look at; it’s a commentary on what binds humanity together.

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.
SeeSaw Art Gallery is a culmination of many factors coming together at the right time. We saw an opportunity to curate thought-provoking exhibitions that elevate emerging and under-represented artists, the majority of them from our community. In addition to finding a fantastic space, I am fortunate that I have an amazing group of advisors and friends who have guided and supported me in the creation of the business and who are rooting for it to succeed.

In it’s inaugural year, SeeSaw has curated three exhibitions to date featuring a total of 14 Colorado-based artists. We are so proud of the artworks we’ve been able to highlight in these exhibitions and support our local artist community. We look forward to continuing to bring exceptional art programming to the south Denver metro area.

Our name, SeeSaw, is a metaphor for elevating under-represented and emerging artists. We intend to tip the scale in favor of artists who have been historically and systemically under-represented in the art world. Cultivating a group of collectors, viewers and community who support these artists is central to our identity.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live on the west side of town so an early-morning hike around Red Rocks is an ideal way to start the day. I love exploring the park when it’s quiet. After the hike I’d want to get an espresso and breakfast at Cafe 13 in Golden followed by shopping along Washington Ave. Dinner at Abejas or The Golden Mill would top off a great Golden experience.

We’d hit up the exhibitions at the Denver Art Museum and MCA Denver. For more art, we’d visit the Art District on Santa Fe and then venture down South Broadway to do some eclectic shopping and art viewing followed by coffee at Mango Tree. For dinners out I like to base around Union Station and I’d recommend Tavernetta if we can get a reservation. Walking around the RiNo Art District and viewing the murals in the evening is a must and then a nightcap at Pon Pon and the bonus of more art from Lane Meyers Projects.

If it’s summer, I love visiting a good farmer’s market; I think the one in the Highlands is my favorite. If I’m over there I’d be tempted to swing into Tacos Jaliscos for some of the best Mexican food in the city. In the evenings it would be a toss up between seeing what’s playing at the Denver Center for Performing Arts, a sporting event or catching live music at Red Rocks, Mission Ballroom or Fiddler’s Green. There’s never a dull moment here!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This shoutout is dedicated to Reggie Spanier and Katie Covey Spanier. Without their support and guidance, SeeSaw would not exist. I could not do this without my family. They are everything. And lastly to the incredible artists I get to work with on the daily, who make this dream possible.

Website: https://www.seesawgallery.com

Instagram: seesaw.artgallery

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeeSawArtGallery

Other: SeeSaw Art Gallery’s hours are by appointment. Email connect@seesawgallery.com or call 303-501-2712 to schedule a viewing.

Image Credits
Headshot and mural: Cam Margera

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.