Join the RMCAD community in welcoming Raven in the Glade, an exhibition by faculty member and RMCAD alumni, Jai Jensen. Open February 28th - May 16th in the Rotunda Gallery. 

Jensen has explored and dedicated much time to the Bella Mesa North open space, both as a refuge and place of solace to better understand their self and transformation in relation to the wild space. Originally an oil painter, through self discovery and meditation Jensen has created a series of site-specific Earthworks, photographing a documentation of both the land formations and the interventions they have created in the landscape. 

As this work has become an ongoing practice and meditation into the self in relation to this landscape, Jensen seeks to bring awareness to the open space as developers seek to obliterate the wild land in favor of creating new subdivisions and real estate. With this work, Jensen seeks not only to understand their place in the world, but protect the ecological and sacred value of this unique landscape in Colorado.

Jai Jensen Bio

Jai Jensen (They/Them) graduated from RMCAD with a degree in Illustration in 2002. They went on for a Masters in Fine arts from Colorado State University in 2007. They have been teaching with RMCAD for nearly a decade and a half. 

Their work began with illustration and oil painting and has been featured in galleries around the country. Over the last half decade the work has shifted into earthworks and the documentation of a space of land that has become very meaningful. 

statement from the artist

I struggled for so long to not be me. I pushed it away to fit expectations. The structure of my world was built around protecting the identity given. Stresses would come and erode a fragment and the bubble shrank but didn’t pop. I lost all of the foundation I had worked to maintain. I lost my Faith. I almost lost my life.

Spirit always called me. She calls me especially in the woods and among the birds. As life crumpled, I was drawn to this place, this magical wood with earth formations. The fairy whispered in my ears and pointed out the best scenes. The trees posed and the flowers fawned with the attention given to them. I explored and found gemstones, tableaus, and inspirations. I wept under the moon and explored crevices in the earth. Years spent in these woods taught me the changing of the seasons, renewed connection to spirit, and the inspiration to create again.

I discovered the glade when I was getting more and more desperate. But in that surprising space, I began to find clarity and inspiration. I started to find acceptance with myself. I acknowledged my experience. I faced those dreaded words that I had pushed back against and had to be honest with. My experience, I had to call it what it was. I had to acknowledge it for what it was. I am trans. I am non-binary. I am fluid. I am queer.

These photos came to life in a time of immense distress. They represent a space that offered me a great amount of healing and insight. I found the flow of the seasons and a renewed love of life. And significantly I found the strength to begin facing my demons and dealing with them. I had been an oil painter for so long, but I just couldn’t do it anymore. It had been too connected to a past that I couldn’t connect to it anymore. But in earthworks art, I connected to the space and observed the changing seasons. I reinvigorated my love for Spirit as well as my love for creating art. My work evolved through this period and set me on a course that I am still very early into. But my story is a story of love for this Glade and the gift of healing that she has offered me.

EXHIBITION RUN

• February 28 - May 16

OPENING RECEPTION

• Friday April 18, 2025 4 - 7 PM

ARTIST TALK

• Wednesday March 19, 11:45 AM MST, in Triboro 102 or via ZOOM

GALLERY HOURS

• Monday through Friday, 11 am - 4 pm.

The Rotunda Gallery is located on RMCAD’s campus at 1600 Pierce Street, Denver, CO 80214.

Febraury 28 - May 16, 2025

ABOUT THE ROTUNDA GALLERY

The Rotunda Gallery focuses on exhibitions featuring work by the RMCAD faculty, alumni, and local artists and designers in one of the college’s most unique buildings.