Aquí channels safety, inclusivity and appreciation into sober art events

Aug. 18, 2025

Photo by Charles Parker: https://www.pexels.com/photo/girl-sitting-on-grass-and-showing-dirty-hand-5859225/

Since November of 2024, Miguelito Rivera, the founder of the community arts-driven organization Aquí, has prioritized organizing alcohol-free, cost-free and art-focused community events and classes in Denver.

On Aug. 21, Aquí will host one of their monthly sober art exhibitions showcasing work from artists of all skill levels, but this one will serve as a summer send-off celebration.

This free celebration, open to anyone wanting to attend, will take place at Void Studios from 6 to 10 p.m. and will also feature mocktails, vendors and live music.

Rivera said one of the goals of Aquí’s art shows is to create inclusive spaces for everyone, which means giving artists opportunities and acknowledging community members in addiction recovery through what they offer.

After attending more formal, suit-and-tie art exhibitions that he found unpleasant, Rivera said he wanted to ensure Aquí prioritizes enjoyment and engagement over rigidness.

“One mission that I had was making sure that shows are more than just walking through the gallery sober. I want it to be interactive. I want people to engage with the work,” he said.

While Aquí shows have themes, Rivera said these are not rigid or formal and are meant to guide the artwork. Aquí has no criteria to meet for submissions and openly welcomes artists with all backgrounds and visions.

“As long as people are willing and able to, and they want to share with the world, we're not going to stop them from doing so, and it's really cool when you have really popular and clean local artists featuring next to a college student in the community,” he said.

According to a post on Aquí’s Instagram page, artists can submit between five and eight pieces maximum for each show. They will not have to pay a fee, and there is a 25% commission on all sales.

Rivera said that interested artists can DM Aquí on Instagram to inquire about showing their work and will soon be able to do so through a form.

The post also mentions that the money generated from each show goes toward future events, including Aquí’s community art classes. Rivera noted these classes are all free, sober and beginner-friendly.

Aquí offers a Sober Paint and Sip, where people can enjoy mocktails while they paint, and recently began offering figure drawing classes.

Rivera noted Aquí requires class attendees to have a minimum of 48 hours of sobriety. Announcements on when and where each class takes place, along with any additional information, are available on Aquí’s Instagram page.

Rivera hopes attendees feel safe and present at every event; he also prioritizes these values in his own life, especially since moving to Denver and seeing the success of the exhibition that led to Aquí.

As an artist recovering from an addiction himself, Rivera said he often avoided aspects of it, and he felt his relocation “tripped things up” with his recovery.

He said an addiction program and a nine-piece art series helped and led him to pursue a solo exhibition.

Upon securing a space for it, he realized it was too large and decided to turn it into a get-together full of other artists and friends in recovery. He still finds this first gathering “truly incredible” and integral to Aquí’s present-focused shows today.

The concept of being present evolved into more than a personal philosophy for Rivera, and it led him to choose Aquí as the name of the organization, which means “here” in Spanish.

“I wanted to focus on being here, like I am present, I am here. And nothing became more true of that when again, this solo expedition series became our community project that focuses on bringing people together and bringing people in the present moment," Rivera said.

Aquí art shows have since grown in popularity, with the last show attracting more than 150 attendees.

While the shows are held primarily at Void Studios and The People’s Building, going forward, Rivera said they are working to host shows across Colorado and in other states.

He recognizes Aquí’s rapid growth and new opportunities and expressed gratitude toward getting to continue working under the organization’s core values, adding that he expects the growth to continue.

"We're still able to maintain authenticity in what we do, which is supporting [and] creating an inclusive space for everybody,” he said.

Those interested can follow Aquí on Instagram to view class and event announcements, artist spotlights and more.