Meet Kim Shively | filmmaker, multi-media artist

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

Hi Kim, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I believe that we can better understand ourselves and our world through art (in whatever form it takes). I have always had a creative leaning and I don’t think I could have pursued anything but an artistic career.

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.
Primarily I am a filmmaker but I also work in other mediums such as sound, collage, and installation work.

I think one thing that sets my work apart is my dedication to doing tons of research. When I start a project, I love to dig deep into the history of things, whether it’s a person or a place or a thing. It’s so easy to accept things at face value rather than to take the time to get to know their backstory. There are so many untold and suppressed histories in our culture.

I know it’s a cliche but, an important lesson I’ve had to learn over the years is to make work for myself and not for other people. It is incredibly liberating to shrug off all of the expectations and limitations you put on yourself and to just risk failure.

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?
I would say visit City Park! It’s my favorite place in all of Denver. I would also encourage anyone visiting to just spend an entire day walking the city. You discover so much of a place when you are on foot. I also love visiting cemeteries. Denver has some really amazing ones like Riverside (the oldest in the city) and Fairmount which is just absolutely beautiful and was designed by the same person that designed many of Denver’s parks including City Park.

After visiting Fairmont, I would recommend heading to Phoenician Kabob on East Colfax. It’s a great spot for lunch or dinner with lots of vegan and vegetarian options and the owner and staff are super!

Squirm Gallery is a new space that’s opened where the former, legendary DIY venue, Rhinoceropolis existed. Squirm features art shows, live music, and more. They really embody the unique spirit and history of Denver’s DIY scene.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I had two amazing professors in grad school who were so supportive and inspiring.

The late Phil Solomon was a professor and incredible filmmaker. He had such a passion for film. He loved all genres of film, from the most obscure experimental works to Hollywood blockbusters. He was a tough teacher but very supportive of me and all of his students.

Melinda Barlow is another very influential professor who was just a great, great, teacher. She really believed in my work and was always encouraging me even when I doubted myself (which was always). She always impelled her students to question norms and to seek out alternative points of view.

Website: https://kimshively.com

Other: Mourning Cloaks is my music/sound project which is released by the local, super cool label Witch Cat Records.

witchcatrecords.bandcamp.com

mourningcloaks.bandcamp.com