The Collective - Community Arts Center

Ishin Denshin Transmissions from the Heart Exhibit

Ishin Denshin: Transmissions from the Heart

Ishin-denshin is a Japanese idiom that refers to "heart-to-heart communication" or shared mutual and unspoken understanding symbolically from the heart, or “uchi” (the inside). Art is an incomparable platform for universal communication between artists and community; it challenges us to look inward and to consider our interconnections and interdependence with others and the world through introspection and empathy. It also opens us up to curiosity, imagination, and possibility. The Japanese Arts Network is grateful for the opportunity to share the unique voices of Colorado artists as they share these heart-centered works.

Exhibit Events

  • Friday, June 3 from 4–7pm: Opening Reception
  • Monday, July 18 from 6:30–8pm: Artist Panel

Arts Activities

Visit lafayetteco.gov/Activities to find out more about take-home activities or sign up for other happenings at The Collective.

Past Exhibits

Racism & Discrimination at the Lafayette Swimming Pool 1934

This exhibit bears the distinction of holding the 2021 Carolyn Bancroft Award by state agency, History Colorado, who lauded it an “outstanding example of a community-driven project that fosters both self-reflection and inspiration in how the public approaches Colorado history.” Rose Lueras was a young Latina woman who led her community in a fight for equal use of the Lafayette public swimming pool. Read more about Rose-Lueras-Story and view the exhibit.

OMETEOTL: We Are All One

This exhibit, featuring artists from the Chicano Humanities & Arts Council (CHAC), was about healing through arts and ceremony. Our world, our communities have experienced divisions and tragedies these past two years.  This group show reflected what brings us together as a community. We are individually unique, woven together in light and love. We bring the best of who we are by showcasing our diverse styles and the richness of our culture.

Brave Pathways: Creative roads to healing

Fiber artist Grace Gee and photographer Keri Mills came together in this vibrant exhibit exploring art as part of a healing journey. A wonderful variety of unique pieces of art came from two creative journeys of health and wellness. View the exhibit: Walkthrough: Virtual tour of Brave Pathways

Dia de los Muertos

Our annual exhibit honoring traditions of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) featured the work of four Colorado artists: Alfredo Cardenas,  Jose Mares, Inez Sanchez, and Karen Yust.  The show also included a large Community ofrenda and smaller cigar box ofrendas by Susan Simonds' Centaurus High School students.

Lost  & Found - Art with Found Objects

43 Colorado artists contributed wildly diverse and inventive artworks created using recycled, repurposed, and found objects. View the exhibit: Walkthrough: Virtual tour of Lost & Found

Water, Water Everywhere: Colorado Mosaic Artists Member Exhibit 

All exhibited mosaics were handmade by more than 20 mosaic artists who have individually interpreted the theme “Water, Water Everywhere.” View the exhibit: Walkthrough: Virtual tour of the Water, Water Everywhere

About The Collective

The Collective Community Arts CenterThe Collective houses the Arts and Cultural Resources Department.

At The Collective, visitors engage in the arts through various exhibits, historic displays, networking opportunities, arts business development, social themes, lectures, film series, and other arts & culture programs. 


Our sponsors are National Endowment for the Arts, Colorado Creative Industries, Boulder County Arts