Wearable Art: Abstract Brings Local Stories to Life
At Stanley Marketplace in Aurora, Colorado, we love our small businesses that have a story to tell about how they got here, and Abstract Denver does exactly that. What started as a gallery space to showcase local artists has transformed into one of Colorado’s most distinctive streetwear brands, turning art into graphic tees and wearable art you can shop locally.
Origins: Giving Artists a Platform
Owner Dave Roggeman
As owner Dave Roggeman says, Abstract’s roots go back to a simple mission: create a space for Denver artists to be seen. When gallery art wasn’t selling the way they’d hoped, they pivoted to t-shirts and independent streetwear apparel as a more accessible form of art.
Inspired by San Francisco’s legendary Upper Playground, they wanted to give Colorado streetwear a platform that could stand up to coastal brands. Streetwear, for them, was always about rebellion and subcultures. Dave describes himself and the founders as “punk rock kids” who found graphic t-shirts the perfect medium for self-expression.
Collaboration with Artists
What began as working with friends has grown into a professional yet community-focused process. Today, Abstract commissions artists with upfront payment and royalties, ensuring creators get recognition and financial support.
They’re always looking for new talent, whether it’s local Colorado artists dropping into the shop or submitting ideas by email. The goal is always the same: find the right voice and style to tell a uniquely Colorado story through fashion.
Storytelling Through Design
If you’ve ever grown tired of Colorado flag merch or mountain t-shirts, Abstract Denver is your antidote. Their philosophy goes deeper: every shirt is a story, often rooted in folklore, history, or local landmarks.
Take Denver’s infamous Blue Mustang statue (Blucifer). Abstract reimagined it as a werewolf in a metal band tee style, embracing the controversy around its glowing red eyes. Or their Sloan’s Lake design, which depicts a Kraken attacking a riverboat, a nod to the actual amusement park and riverboat that once existed there.
Each Denver streetwear design is layered with insider references that make locals smile, offering something more than just tourist merch.
Colorado Projects, Past and Future
Recent designs include:
Red Rocks: A climber hoisting the moon over Shiprock, created by local artist Brendan Dorney (“rabies babies”).
Sloan’s Lake: A Kraken wreaking havoc on a historic riverboat.
Blucifer Werewolf: A cult favorite that leans into Denver’s quirky mythology.
Upcoming releases sound just as wild: parachuting bears at Stanley Marketplace, the mythical “slide rock bolter” swallowing transplants from Texas and California, and even an alligator attacking swan boats at Washington Park Denver.
Many ideas, Dave shared, come from family stories passed down by his father and grandfather, both longtime Denver police officers with plenty of colorful tales to inspire designs.
Abstract Denver is more than a local streetwear shop — it’s a place where Colorado folklore, landmarks, and local legends live on t-shirts. Whether you’re hunting for independent fashion brands in Denver, artist-designed graphic tees, or just something bold and unforgettable, Abstract is bringing Colorado’s stories to life through streetwear.