Denver & DPS Respond To Student Art Displayed At Public Building

DENVER - The City and County of Denver and Denver Public Schools have received concerns from the community regarding public art work by Denver students displayed in a city building.

Through Denver Public Schools' outreach, it was determined that the student created the work as part of a school project, in which students were asked to select a master work of art, research it and re-contextualize it to reflect how the student sees the issue in contemporary times. The student chose Goya's The Third of May 1808 and later saw a similar statement in A Tale of Two Hoodies, created by Michael D'Antuono in 2014. After learning of the negative impact of her work, the student has asked that it be taken down.

Mayor Michael B. Hancock and Acting Superintendent Susana Cordova released the following statement:

"Denver and DPS are sensitive to all concerns in this situation. We absolutely value the voices of our young artists, which is why we display their work every year. We also greatly respect the impact this art has had on our officers who serve and protect Denver and others in the community. But there is an opportunity here, too, to listen and learn from each other and to encourage our students to engage in difficult conversations. That is exactly the intention of DPS and the city as we continue to address the community's concerns."

"I'm greatly concerned about how this painting portrays the police. I look forward to having a conversation with the student and her parents," said Denver Chief of Police Robert White.

Tomorrow, the student and her mother will meet with Mayor Michael Hancock, Chief of Police Robert White and Acting Superintendent Susana Cordova at her school, Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy. This private meeting will be followed by a brief media availability at 11 a.m.