Barry David Rose, husband, father, grandfather, artist, teacher, open-hearted, kind, loving, creative, mischievous, passed away peacefully with family at his side on February 22, 2024. He was 73 years old. His passing leaves a hole in the hearts of many and the world has become a little less bright, a little less colorful. Yet he left a legacy of beauty and meaning through his art for countless people to enjoy for many years. He was best known as an artist, but family was his highest priority.

Barry graduated from George Washington High School in 1969. He studied art at the University of Washington and Colorado University at Boulder. A natural athlete, he played football at GW and enjoyed softball, basketball, and skiing. He was a life-long Broncos fan.

As a dad, Barry always strove to be better for his kids. He was present and loving, always available for sage advice and a good joke. Thrilled to be a grandfather, he loved his grandson with his whole heart and was always ready to teach and learn from his grandchild. He shared his love of the arts, his playful spirit, and his hunger for adventure with his family. He took his kids to Spain, France, Mexico, Venezuela, and river trips too many to count.

Barry and Debra were fortunate to have traveled widely:  Croatia, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Denmark, Norway, and more. Barry loved the Colorado mountains and all rivers. An expert, white-water rafter, he lived to tell the tale of two 21-day trips at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Whether he was on the Yampa, the Snake, the Green, the Colorado, or the Salmon, his boat was always the most "tricked out" and the most fun. He traveled to East Germany in 1980 to install a 100-piece anti-war sculpture. Followed conspicuously by the East German police, the ever-friendly Barry introduced himself to them and they ended up giving him directions and helpful suggestions.

Barry's insatiable curiosity and keen intellect led him to researching things as varied as the solar system, rocks and gems, maps of all kinds, and Carl Jung. Starting a rock band in his youth, he played the guitar throughout his life. He had a passion for music, particularly oldies, jazz, and blues, attending concerts at Red Rocks, The Soiled Dove, The Paramount Theater, and other live venues. At one concert in his 20's he went backstage, where Steve Miller stole his girlfriend. (ask his friends about that story). He also had mechanical gifts, made his own tools and could repair almost anything.

Barry got a kick out of telling stories and jokes which remained interesting and funny even after repeated and embellished retellings. "Never let the truth get in the way of a good story." And the guy had a big vocabulary. He loved hanging out with family and friends. He looked forward to regular gatherings with old high school chums and Poker nights with another group of friends, where untold shenanigans undoubtedly occurred. Always warm and friendly, he came away from nearly every project with at least one new, good friend.

A gifted teacher, Barry inspired and mentored ceramics students throughout his career. He taught in several institutions including the Art Students League of Denver. He had a large following when he set up classes in his studio. Some students studied with him for as long as 20 years. He taught more than ceramics in these classes, seeking out the psychology and meaning behind students' creations, waxing philosophically, and of course, reading the "announcements," always amusing, consisting of current events, and any topic one could imagine. He and his students became very close, forming a  real community. One group of students started a book club, called "The Rosebuds," which still meets regularly.

Hundreds of Denver artists were fortunate to find affordable studios at Art in Action, where Barry managed the building and kept his own studio for 47 years. He always kept the rents low and often mentored and became friends with these tenants.

Barry was a gifted and prolific artist. He had enormous creativity and a quiet spirituality which informed most of his art, whether public commissioned sculptures, community murals, historic restorations, fund-raising projects, or gallery shows. Had he not left us so soon, he undoubtedly would have had so much more to give and share.

Here is a partial listing of his works. For more detailed descriptions visit Barryroseartist.com ,

Public Commissions

"Tradition and History" at Fire Station #18. Terra cotta bas relief honoring generations of fire fighters. 12'x15'

Coors Field. 55 ceramic columbines at the top of each pilaster.

"Evolution of the Ball" at Coors Field. Ensemble artwork. Humorous piece made of 108 terra cotta balls.

"The Book Wall" at the Denver Central Library. Bas relief.

"Henry, Harvey, and Helen" at the previous site of Bonvils Theater, 14th and Columbine. Sculpture and fountain. 3'x5'masks. Copper, stainless steel.

"A Place in Time" or "Stonehinge." University of Northern Colorado campus, Greeley, CO.  An allusion to Stonehenge. Sundial and benches. Bronze, stone, concrete.

"Passing the Baton" Gardens at Spring Creek Botanical Gardens, Ft. Collins, CO. Bronze, stone. 12'x15'

"The Drop Wall" Denver Aquarium. 1,400 square feet of aluminum.

Historic Restorations

Sage Building (previously the Fontius Building) plus several large, beautiful tiles entitled "Copernicus." 14 tons of clay.

Oxford Hotel exterior. Terra cotta

East High School Dolphin Fountain. Terra cotta.

Hirschfield Building. Bas relief of history of the alphabet.

In addition, he organized and completed over 200 community murals, as well as several works promoting fund-raising for non-profit organizations.

He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Debra Nielson, children Nathan Hart Rose, Ariel Jesse Rose, grandson Oliver Fox Rose, stepdaughter Angela Elizabeth Duncan (Lamont) sister Judith Ann Rose (Terry Anderson), sisters Deborah Lynn Gill and Michelle Gershon (Mark), brother Craig Smith, cousin Linda Rose, brother-in-law Roger Nielson (Jackie), Douglas Nielson (Roylyn), Patricia Tolman (Anton), ex-wife Dorothy Rankin, and many nieces and nephews.Barry was preceded in death by his parents Bessie Freed Rose and Victor George Rose and brother Ronald Rose.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 1:00pm with remarks at 2:00pm at Governor's Place Condominiums', 800 N. Pearl St. Denver, CO 80203. Desserts and Beverages will be served. Parking is limited, so consider car-pooling.  For questions or offers to speak, please email DebraNielson8@gmail.com . In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Association of Frontotemporal Degeneration or the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless .