Curated by Rose Fredrick for the Project Space at Gallery 1261, Art You Can’t Buy brings together a rare selection of works that artists have intentionally withheld from the market. Presented in an intimate and thoughtful format, the exhibition features pieces that hold deep personal or historical significance for their creators. Some works are reserved for future museum placement, while others are treasured family heirlooms that artists plan to pass down. Visitors will experience a collection that reveals how artists think about legacy, memory, and the stories they choose to preserve.

This exhibition showcases works by Jill Soukup, Linda Lillegraven, Ron Hicks, Steven Yazzie, Dean Mitchell, T. Allen Lawson, LaQuincey Reed, and Stephanie Hartshorn. Each selected piece is one the artist has chosen not to release to the market. Some will only be sold to museums, and others are intended to remain in the family and be passed down to the artist’s children. These choices reveal how artists think about legacy, personal history, and the long term significance of their work.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to hear the artists speak about the pieces they have chosen to hold back. Their conversations will explore why certain artworks feel too important to part with and what makes these paintings so meaningful that they would not let a collector buy them. This insight adds depth to the viewing experience and allows audiences to understand the stories and turning points captured in each work.

Christine Mileham, Co-Owner and Founder of Abend Gallery and Gallery 1261, notes that collectors often find the premise surprising. Artists sometimes choose to keep a work because it captures an emotional truth that cannot be recreated. Many of these paintings could have sold multiple times, yet the artists chose to preserve them. These decisions shed light on the deeper intentions behind art making and the importance of considering where significant works ultimately belong.

📅 Exhibition Dates: December 3 to December 27, 2025
🎉 Opening Night Reception: December 3, 6 PM to 8 PM
📍 Location: Gallery 1261, 1261 Delaware St, Denver, CO 80204

Participating Artists

Hartshorn, Stephanie, Hicks, Ron, Lawson, T. Allen, Lillegraven, Linda, Mitchell, Dean, Reed, LaQuincey, Soukup, Jill, Yazzie, Steven
 

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