This summer, movement isn’t just a metaphor, it’s a full-blown artistic takeover at Access Gallery. From June 6 through July 19, the space at 909 Santa Fe Drive is transforming into a kinetic celebration of motion, machines, and the magic of wax with a pair of exhibitions that are as hot as Denver pavement in July.

The main event? Planes, Trains, and Automobiles is a group show that’s revving its creative engine and inviting all of us along for the ride. Expect art that explores everything from cross-country journeys to mechanical beasts that rumble, fly, and glide through space and time. Think less Steve Martin and John Candy, more “holy hell, how did someone draw a jet engine with that much precision?”

This isn’t just some nostalgic trip down transportation lane. The artists at Access Gallery, who are part of the disability community, bring raw, authentic, and often unexpected perspectives to the idea of movement. One minute you’re staring into the bright palette of a fast-moving train; the next, you’re wrapped in the deep textures of a plane in flight that feels more like a dream than a diagram. These are works with horsepower and heart.

But it doesn’t stop there.

While the walls are pulsing with speed and story, the gallery’s Community Art Wall is heating things up—literally. Enter It’s Getting Hot in Here: Encaustic Exhibition, an interactive showcase that’s all about that slow burn. Artists here are working with encaustic which is a paint made with pigmented wax that’s melted and layered into glowing, richly textured masterpieces. It’s messy, it’s beautiful, and it’s unlike anything else hanging on a Denver gallery wall right now.

If the phrase “pigmented wax” makes you feel a little lost, don’t worry you’ll get your hands on it soon enough.

Access is lining up three events over the course of the show that blend art, community, and good vibes. Mark your calendar for these:

First Friday Art Walks (June 6 & July 4, 6–9 p.m.)

You know the drill—Santa Fe Drive becomes Denver’s art party central. But don’t just bar-hop from gallery to gallery with a lukewarm beer. Step into Planes, Trains, and Automobiles and let these pieces take you somewhere new. Then, head over to the encaustic wall and see what happens when heat meets wax meets wildly talented artists. It’s a killer combo, and you’ll probably leave wondering how you lived this long without encaustic in your life.

Hands-On Encaustic Night + Artist Meet & Greet (June 20, 6–8 p.m.)

This is the night to ditch the gallery observer role and step into the creator’s seat. On June 20, Access is inviting you behind the scenes to meet the artists and try out the encaustic technique yourself. That’s right—you’ll be holding a heat gun and messing with molten wax like a mini Da Vinci. The vibe will be casual, fun, and a little bit experimental. Art doesn’t get more intimate than this.

ADA Anniversary Bash (July 18, 4–7 p.m.)

Access Gallery has always been about more than just pretty walls, it’s about breaking them down. On July 18, they’re teaming up with the Denver Mayor’s Office to celebrate 35 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It’s a powerful moment of reflection and recognition, honoring progress made and challenges still ahead. With ASL interpreters on-site, the event is fully inclusive and proudly centered around accessibility, just like the gallery itself.

This celebration is more than speeches, it’s about community, creativity, and being unapologetically visible. The timing’s no accident either: RTD is following up in August with its own event, “35 Years of Progress: ADA Past, Present, and Future.” So consider this a pre-party with serious heart.

So yeah—planes, trains, and pigmented wax. If you’re looking for art that moves (literally and emotionally), Access Gallery’s summer lineup is a must-see. And if you’ve never been, this is the perfect time to discover a space that’s changing what inclusion, creativity, and artistic talent look like in Denver.

Roll in, ride out, and maybe get a little wax on your hands while you’re at it.

Access Gallery is located at 909 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO 80204. All events are free and open to the public.