After 16 years of shaping Denver’s art scene, one of its most beloved galleries is saying goodbye. But this isn’t just another business closure — it’s the end of a family-run institution that’s become part of Colorado’s creative soul.
Mirada Fine Art Gallery, a name that’s long stood out among Denver’s cultural landmarks, has announced it will close by the end of the year. Originally nestled in the mountain enclave of Indian Hills, the gallery moved to downtown Denver in 2020, bringing its unique contemporary style to the city’s arts hub.
Over its 16-year journey, Mirada has amassed both fame and admiration. The gallery repeatedly earned recognition from the American Art Awards, consistently ranking among the top galleries in the United States — not just once, but in 2022, 2023, and again in 2024. Clearly, Mirada wasn’t just surviving; it was thriving.
Gallery owner Steve Sonnen describes Mirada as a space that celebrates the best of modern art from across North America. “We feature a number of Colorado-based artists,” he explained, “but also talent from Canada, Mexico, and beyond.” The gallery’s eclectic exhibitions reflected this diversity, often blending regional authenticity with international flair.
Still, the decision to close wasn’t made overnight — or without emotion. Sonnen called it a “bittersweet” moment. Mirada has always been a family affair: his sister, Jan Thompson, manages day-to-day operations, while his wife oversees the books. For Sonnen, keeping that intimate, personal spirit intact meant resisting the idea of selling. “We built a very distinctive look and feel,” he said. “It’s part of us. Selling it would mean losing control of what we’ve created — and that would break my heart if it went in a direction we couldn’t stand behind.”
What many people might not realize is that the plan to close has been in place for years. Sonnen intentionally signed a five-year lease in downtown Denver, aligning the end of that lease with his planned retirement. “We always intended to wrap things up at this time,” he shared. “It feels right to finish on our own terms.”
Mirada will remain open through December 28, 2025, with one final flourish — a series of rotating closeout sales showcasing different artists each week. In an unprecedented move, it’s the gallery’s first and only time offering discounts. “In all 16 years, we’ve never done a sale,” Sonnen laughed. “But this is a special situation.”
Looking ahead, Sonnen and his wife plan to spend part of their retirement at their home in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico — a place they’ve loved since their honeymoon decades ago. Still, leaving Mirada will be far from easy. “When we started the closeout sale, that’s when it really hit me,” Sonnen admitted. “Clients began reaching out, saying they were heartbroken we were closing. It’s surreal to think about not being surrounded by the art, the clients, the energy. But I’m ready to see what the next chapter brings.”
He’s quick to credit everyone who helped make Mirada what it became. “If I could send one message to our artists and clients, it would be this: you made Mirada possible,” Sonnen said. “We were just the caretakers of something bigger. People always told us they took something meaningful from the gallery, but honestly, we got even more from them.”
Until its final day, Mirada Fine Art Gallery will continue hosting events and keeping its doors open to visitors, ensuring that Denver’s art lovers have a few more chances to experience its distinctive atmosphere.
And this is the part most people miss — when a creative space like Mirada closes, it raises a deeper question: what does Denver lose when family-run galleries like this one fade away? Is it just a business winding down, or is it the city’s artistic heartbeat growing a little quieter? What do you think — should such spaces be preserved, or is it natural for new voices to take their place?
