Little Man brings “North Side” back to LoHi

Little Man Ice Cream has commissioned one of Denver’s best-known street artists to paint a giant mural at the Little Man Ice Cream plaza.  Artist “Jolt” of Guerilla Garden Studios, will begin painting the 16-foot by 16-foot mural on September 16, 2013. He hopes to complete the project by September 19, 2013.

“We plan to feature many art installations throughout the coming years. However we felt that Jolt with his native roots in the neighborhood was the perfect artist for our initial concept.” said Paul Tamburello, the owner of Little Man and visionary behind the LoHi Marketplace, a bustling hub of retailers and restaurants in Lower Highland.

Jolt, a North High School graduate, whose real name is Jeremy Silas Ulibarri, has been creating art in North Denver since before he started high school. An in-demand commercial artist, Jolt has been hired to create works for Mountain Dew and Pabst Blue Ribbon.  He has also been commissioned to develop a number of public art projects, including a 5,000-square foot, eight-story-tall mural commissioned by DHA (Denver Housing Authority) at “La Alma de la Mariposa,” an apartment complex at 1099 Osage in Denver.

His mural at the Little Man Ice Cream plaza will pay homage to North Denver’s rich culturally diverse history. Tamburello hopes that the mural will engage people in open dialogue on North Denver’s sometimes controversial changing landscape.  Little Man welcomes the public to stop by the plaza to watch as Jolt creates unique work of art.

“The neighborhood has changed tremendously over the past five years, my hope is that the mural and the conversation it evokes draw attention to the significance of areas past and celebrates its future” said Tamburello.

The community plaza that surrounds Little Man Ice Cream began taking shape in late 2011. Now a community gathering spot where locals enjoy events, musical performances, movie screenings, farmer’s markets and an array of other festivities, the plaza features free Wi-Fi access that broadcasts throughout its four large patios. In addition, the back area serves as an amphitheater that will feature “ride-in” movies starting in the summer 2014. The plaza is also available for rent for rehearsal dinners, birthday parties, office parties and fundraisers.