Meet Jason Diminich | Creative, curious & compassionate non-profit leader

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

Hi Jason, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
Biome was born out of a camping trip in 2020, during the pandemic. Ricardo (Biome co-founder) and I were sitting around the campfire late at night, reminiscing about the things we missed before lockdown and dreaming of the spaces we longed to return to. The recurring theme of the convo was to capture the sense of joy and meaning we so often felt during the communal and creative experiences of our past. As we mourned the lost moments during Covid we felt compelled to act on these feelings. “What if? How about this? Yes and!” Our minds were spinning with ideas. Back then, we didn’t know exactly what Biome would be, but we both left that camping trip jazzed to create a space for people to come together and celebrate through creative expression and joy. Now, a few years later and with the inaugural exhibition under our belts I am immensely proud of what we created and inspired to continue the dream and expand Biome’s reach and vision as we embark on our second exhibition.

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.
I’ve been fortunate in my career, holding positions that often prompt responses like, “That’s a dream job, you’re so lucky, that’s so cool!” And they are right – so far, I’ve had a very fulfilling career. From teaching middle school drama in NYC to launching Colorado’s first comprehensive Creative Aging program, and now granting wishes for older adults through Wish of a Lifetime from AARP, my work has been deeply meaningful and important to my worldview, extending beyond just a job.

What truly excites me are initiatives that ignite creativity and foster social connections across communities. Creativity, curiosity, and compassion are my superpowers. These values permeate everything I do and are foundational to my work as co-founder and director at Biome: A Queen City Biennial, Denver’s newest fine-art festival.

Biome celebrates fine art through community, inclusivity, and biennial exhibitions. In our inaugural year, my co-founder Ricardo and I were thrilled to bring this mission to life, featuring a diverse cohort of seven talented local artists and a vibrant community of supporters who made it all possible. As we prepare for our second exhibition and open our call for entries, I’m excited to build on our achievements and continue creating a space where people can come together to nurture creativity and connections with heart and purpose.

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.
Denver is a great city, and since moving here almost a decade ago, my wife and I have enjoyed sharing some of our favorite spots with our friends and family visiting from back home. Most of our guests are from NYC, so we prioritize taking them outside the city to explore a national or state park or to enjoy a beer in one of the rural mountain towns. But focusing on Denver, I make sure that every itinerary includes, in no particular order, a visit to Access Gallery on Santa Fe (with a stop right down the block to catch the latest Biome exhibit), a Banh Mi at Vinh Xuong Bakery, sampling a few brews at Our Mutual Friend, and then getting lost in the sensory overload of art murals in the alleyways of RiNo. And no trip is ever complete without a visit to the Mile High Thrift!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Growing up with blind and deaf parents was a unique and profound experience that shaped my worldview. Despite their disabilities, they made sure I was always surrounded by love, art, culture, and music. We went to tons of Broadway shows, always visited museums in New York, and traveled. It still amazes me that they invested so much in these experiences, even though they couldn’t fully experience them and were on disability income. This dedication and selflessness left a lasting impression on me.

My father, who immigrated to this country, brought us another layer of resilience and determination. Being deaf and learning a new language wasn’t easy for him, but through grit and perseverance, he succeeded. On tough days, when I need to dig deep, these are the stories that help pick me up.

Losing them both to COVID was incredibly tough. But their passion for art and commitment to making sure I had access to it inspired me. When I started Biome, I knew we had to prioritize accessibility. Essential to our mission is to create experiences where everyone can connect with professional artists, especially those who might be priced out otherwise or feel unwelcome in other spaces. My parent’s love for the arts and their determination to share it with me drive everything I do.

Website: https://www.artbiome.com

Instagram: https://art.biome

Other: I want to give a special shoutout to the life-changing work that my team and I are doing every day at Wish of a Lifetime from AARP . I encourage you to subscribe to our newsletter on wishofalifetime.org and follow us on social media (@wishofalifetime) to see inspirational stories of wishes that have sparked hope and joy for older adults throughout Colorado and beyond.

Image Credits
Headshot: Lares Feliciano
Biome Pics: John Moore