Located inside the Thornton Arts and Culture Center (TACC) at 9209 Dorothy Blvd. Open Tuesday-Friday, 12-5 p.m., and on second Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
OZ Gallery will be closed on Friday, Oct. 30 as staff prepare for the Dia de los Muertos event at McAllister Park on Sunday, Nov. 1. It will reopen at Noon on Tuesday, Nov. 3. The 70th Anniversary History Exhibit remains open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30 at the Annex next door.
- All OZ Gallery exhibits, opening receptions, and exhibiting artist workshops are free to attend.
- Walk-ins and groups are welcomed with children under 15 accompanied by an adult.
- Vote for the People's Choice Award for artwork to be added to the city's permanent collection.
- Facility access is subject to change due to weather closures and availability of onsite staff.
Exhibits
Muertos: A Journey of Death and Life as One by Cal Duran
Dates: October 13-December 18
Reception: Friday, October 23, 6-8 p.m.
Community Workshop - Creating the Muertos with Clay: Saturday, November 14, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Ages 14+ (Free with registration; #351545-A)
Cal Duran is a queer, Two-Spirit, Indigenous, Native, Latinx, Manito, Mestizo, Chicanx artist and arts educator from Colorado. Through his work, he explores the universal thread that connects life and death which we all share. His exhibition reflects and embraces this continuum by honoring our Great Ancestors. Rooted in traditional folk art practices, Duran’s work carries forward the teachings of his elders and the stories of his lineage, weaving personal and collective memory into each piece.
70th Anniversary History Exhibit
Dates: Now through December 18 (Closed on federal and city holidays)
Hours: Monday–Friday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Free admission; children under 16 may attend with an adult.
Location: Thornton Arts & Culture Center Annex, 9211 Dorothy Blvd. (located next to the OZ Gallery)
Preview this exhibit courtesy of CBS4.
When Sam Hoffman purchased the land that would one day become the City of Thornton and began building homes in 1954, he envisioned a thriving community that could stand on its own—a dream realized just two years later when Thornton officially became a city in 1956.
As we approach this milestone moment in 2026, the Thornton Arts & Culture Center is proud to present the 70th Anniversary Exhibit: “Thornton Yesterday, Thornton Today, Thornton Tomorrow.”
This special exhibition invites visitors on a journey through the city’s evolution—from its earliest days to the vibrant community it is today—told through artifacts, articles, photographs, and books. Join us in celebrating Thornton’s rich history and bright future!
Visit America 250/Colorado 150 to find other events scheduled this year celebrating Colorado's statehood.
Thornton History Youth Mural Project Tours Adams County in 2027
To celebrate Thornton’s 70th anniversary, eleven local youth teamed up with professional artists to turn the city’s story into four large-scale murals. Now, these 4x6 foot murals are going on the road.
How it started in 2026
Over the course of a year, the project brought together planning, creativity, and community partnership. Participants joined one of two class sessions led by professional artists Katie Vuletich and Shaunie Berry, with each class working on two of the four mural panels.
The youth first explored the 70th Anniversary History Exhibit with historian Lance Jones and visited the Thornton archive, where donations and shared stories keep the city’s history alive. Then, over five days, each group wove together visual images to reflect Thornton’s past, present, and imagined future. The professional artists put the finishing touches on the four canvas designs in their studios.
The completed murals debuted at a celebration for participants and their families, followed by official recognition at a City Council meeting.
See the murals in 2027
The murals will appear in city facilities across Thornton, then travel to the Adams County Fair and Adams County Government Center. Thousands of residents and visitors are expected to see Thornton’s story through the eyes of its youngest storytellers.
The Thornton History Youth Mural Project was funded by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) and the City of Thornton, and sponsored by the Thornton Arts, Sciences and Humanities Council (TASHCO).
Exhibit Opportunities
Arts Thornton schedules exhibits on a quarterly basis and welcomes emerging and established artists interested in showing their work at the OZ Gallery. Accepted artwork is exhibited in a commission-free community gallery space or shared online with the public at ArtsThornton.com. Proposals are open to all Colorado artists/artist groups regardless of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, or disability. To submit a proposal along with examples of your work, email Kassandra Mestemaker, Arts and Culture Coordinator, at Kassandra.Mestemaker@ThorntonCO.gov.