Major League Baseball’s biggest and brightest stars along with baseball fans across the country will head for the Mile High City within the coming days for All-Star Week and just in time for the reopening of McNichols Civic Center Building.

The Civic Center building, which has been closed since March of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will reopen Friday with three new exhibits in conjunction with the 2021 MLB All-Star Week. 

“We are excited to reopen the mcNichol Civic Center Building, one of our community’s favorite arts, culture and entertainment venues,” said Tariana Navas-Nieves, director of Cultural Affairs, Denver Arts & Venues in a release. 

“A rich partnership with Major League Baseball and local creatives and artists, plus a critically acclaimed collaborative exhibit are perfect ways to celebrate getting back to business and our commitment to our city’s cultural sector.”

All of the three exhibits will be free and open to the public between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily beginning Friday.

Two of the three exhibits are intertwined with baseball as they focus on baseball’s Negro Leagues which ran from the 1920’s through 1948 season. The other focuses on Black Love Mural Festival, where local artists were invited to create individual pieces for the exhibit. 

Shades of Greatness (first floor):

Will run from July 9 through Sept. 7 and gives Denverites a glimpse at the Negro League Baseball Museum in Kansas City, M.O. in their hometown. The exhibit features 35 original works of art that were made by 28 different artists from across the country and interprets the Negro Leagues experience on-and-off the field. 

“The style and creativity displayed in the Negro Leagues made baseball an art form,” said Bob Kendrick, the president of the Negro League Baseball Museum. “This exhibit beautifully captures that spirit. It uses the power of the visual arts toe enlighten and educate the public about an important but once forgotten chapter of baseball and American history.”

Black Love Mural Festival Remix (Boettcher Cultural Pavillion, Second Floor):

Will run from July 9 through Oct 3. and features 30 pieces of art from local artists that range from internationally known to new and emerging artists. 

All Star Alliance: Denver’s Cross-Cultural Muralists (Third Floor):

Will run from July 9 through Oct 3. and features some of Denver’s most-known muralists such as Casey Kawaguchi, Karma Leigh, Duke One, Detour, LaDopa, Moe Gram and Zaida Sever. 

Due to the All-Star Game being hosted in the Mile High City on July 13, these artists were commissioned by the MLB to create baseball-themed murals in each of their unique styles. 

Aside from the new exhibits, a reopening reception will take place on Thursday, a live painting event and panel discussion about business and culture in Denver will be held on Sunday.

For more information about the reopening and this weekends event click here.