LAKEWOOD, Colo., Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As part of the 2026/2027 Friction Series, Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design (RMCAD) is thrilled to welcome classical musician and visual artist, Geovanni Barrios. RMCAD’s Visiting Artist, Scholar, and Designer (VASD) Program hosts Barrios’ artist talk, where he will explore the tensions of claiming space and belonging within American institutions and the great outdoors on Tuesday, September 8, at 6:00 p.m. MT (doors open at 5:30 p.m. MT) at the Mary Harris Auditorium on RMCAD’s campus.
Geovanni Barrios (b. 1999, Miami, FL, based in New Haven, CT) is an artist and art historian originally trained as an orchestral tubist. Through painting, drawing, sculpture, and performance, Barrios grapples with definitions of national identity, masculinity, and our relationship to nature, both in the great outdoors and within the American project. Informed by his archival research and lived experience, Barrios will discuss the history of Scouting America and its pivotal influence on artists George Nakashima, Clyfford Still, and Barrios himself. He holds a BA in Art History from Yale University and has worked in arts conservation labs at both the Yale University Art Gallery and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
“This year’s theme is about how artists and designers don’t shy away from tension, but actually create it. At a time when technology and social norms offer frictionless interactions, these artists push us to develop the skill of sitting with discomfort as an act of community and connection,” said Gretchen Schaefer, RMCAD’s Director of Creative Programming. “We are thrilled to have Geovanni Barrios be the speaker to kick off this new series. His work and his story truly embody the value of embracing complexity in our lives to expand our worldview.”
The artist talk is FREE and open to the public. Register for the talk now or watch the live stream online.
About RMCAD
Founded in 1963, Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design is an accredited institution of higher education that offers degree programs focused on the arts, design, education, technology, and business. RMCAD serves its students from a 23-acre campus in Lakewood, Colorado, but also virtually, as a leader in online education for nearly 15 years. RMCAD offers courses taught by practicing industry professionals; an intimate learning environment; multimedia-rich online classes; and a beautiful historic campus. The school strives to allow artists and designers to find their voice, discover their own paths, and thrive as professionals.
Contact: Joe Rubald, jrubald@rmcad.edu, Daryl Schreiber, dschreiber@rmcad.edu, Gretchen Schaefer, gmschaefer@rmcad.edu
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SOURCE Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design
