Casa Bonita Has Been Inspiring Denver Artists For Nearly a Decade
Casa Bonita has inspired a South Park episode, a feature-length documentary and even a line of scented candles for people who want their homes to smell like a swimming pool from 1974. The famous novelty restaurant has also served as a large, inanimate pink muse for a number of artists.
Located in the same Lakewood, Colorado complex as Casa Bonita, NEXT Gallery is currently hosting a show featuring artwork themed around the famous eatery. But there’s a catch: The artist-owned community gallery asked artists to imagine what Casa Bonita might look like in 2074, when it will turn 100 years old (and when Trey Parker and Matt Stone will may finally be inching closer to finally making their investment money back).
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Judging from the photos that have been posted on social media, the results are quite impressive. This painting by artist Rachel Suter (next to Colorado Governor Jared Polis) suggests that Casa Bonita might eventually relocate to some kind of trippy blue planet, complete with diving aliens who may or may not use anal probes.
“I love viewing the work of Colorado’s artists and seeing one of our state’s landmark attractions reimagined through the creativity of artists,” Polis told The Denver Gazette. “I hope this art show inspires Coloradans and tourists alike to visit Casa Bonita, and explore all that our state has to offer.”
According to the Gazette, artists from “around the country” participated in the show, contributing “paintings, sculptures, videos and more.” There was also a children’s section for young artists to share their artwork, just as long as said artwork prominently featured Casa Bonita.
While one might assume that this show was put together recently in order to capitalize on the newfound popularity of the restaurant, the annual event actually predates the sale to Parker and Stone. In fact, this is NEXT Gallery’s eighth Casa Bonita-themed art show.
Last year, the artist who came up with the idea for the show Betsy Rudolph, aka Dolla B, revealed that things have become more “complicated” in recent years, specifically since Parker and Stone took ownership. Rudolph told Westword that the pair haven’t “made much outreach to the local arts community.” That is, except for a legal threat sent to local cartoonist Karl Christian Krumpholz, who had been selling prints of his Casa Bonita illustration on Etsy.
“Maybe Trey and Matt can do an episode about cartoonists being attacked by cartoonists/real estate developers who buy up landmarks so that only they can use their likenesses. It’d be a hoot,” one local suggested on social media.
Despite the fact that Casa Bonita’s current owners have been “so disappointing” for the local art community, the annual show will continue regardless. And at least you don’t have to make a reservation months in advance to visit the gallery.
