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 meaning for their creators. Some works are reserved for future museum placement, while others are treasured family heirlooms meant to stay within the family. Visitors will encounter a collection that reveals how artists think about legacy, memory, and the stories they choose to preserve.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to hear participating artists speak about the pieces they have chosen to hold back. Their conversations explore why certain artworks feel too important to release 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 sheds light on pivotal moments in each artist’s development.

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 many times, yet the artists chose preservation. These decisions highlight the deeper intentions behind art making and the importance of considering where significant works ultimately belong.

📅 Exhibition Dates: December 8 to December 20, 2025
📍 Location: Gallery 1261, 1261 Delaware St, Denver, CO 80204

Participating Artists

Tony Hochstetler, Jill Soukup, Linda Lillegraven, Ron Hicks, Steven Yazzie, Dean Mitchell, T. Allen Lawson, LaQuincey Reed, Don Stinson and Daniel Sprick
 

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