Denver plans a Still museum

The city of Denver aims to create a museum that will house 2,100 pieces by the American Abstract Expressionist painter Clyfford Still, but no provision has been made to acquire the personal papers and sketches that would make it a one-stop shop for scholars.

Patricia Still, the artist’s widow, agreed to give his art collection, in storage since his death in 1980, to Denver, provided it can raise $7 million to build the museum and $10 million for an endowment over the next 10 years. But securing the artist’s papers for a research center at the museum is “being handled separately,” said Denise Montgomery, director of Denver’s Office of Art, Culture and Film.

On Monday, the City Council voted to launch a funding drive for the museum and its endowment, Montgomery said; after a required second vote, she expects Mayor John Hickenlooper to sign a contract committing the city to the project.