• Access MTN B2B
    MTN ACADEMY
    Montana Colors
    Would you like to stay up to date on the latest MTN world news?
    Products, graffiti, murals, festivals, art and much more.
    About Us Points of Sale Contact Documentation
    MTN-News
    Mtn-World Blog
    MTN Ideas
    MTN Jobs
    Search...
    en
    Español English Català
    Montana Colors spray paint brand Montana Colors spray paint brand
    Spray
    Spray
    See all
    Graffiti & Fine Arts
    MTN 94 Hardcore Water Based Mega Nitro 2G Máximo MAD MAXXX K-750 Alien Pocket
     
    Micro
    MTN Caps
    MTN Caps Buckets MTN Cap Packs
    MTN PRO
    Color Paint Primers & Varnishes Decoration & Handicrafts Fine Arts Other Finishes Automotive Paint Signage - Marking Industry Prefills Putties
    Limited Editions
    Mister Cartoon Delta x Ruyzdael Saber Taki183 Jace Sabe Burns124 Royyal Dog Muelle Open Arms
    MTN MURAL
    MTN Mural
    Markers & Refills
    Markers & Refills
    See all
    Markers & Dabbers
    Acrylic Marcador 94 Graphic Markers Technical Markers Street Paint Markers & Dabbers Street Ink Markers & Dabbers Chalk Marker
    Empty
    Markers Dabbers
    Packs
    Acrylic Marcador 94 Graphic Markers Technical Markers Pack Chalk Marker
    Refills
    Water Based Paint Street Paint Street Ink Refills MTN Liquid
    Tips
    Markers Dabber Tips 94 Graphic Markers Tips
    Accessories
    Accessories
    See all
    MTN Apparel
    MTN Socks Accessories T-shirts Sweatshirts Shorts
    Merchandise
    MTN Headlamp MTN Summer Towel MTN Tool Belt MTN Swatchbooks MTN BOX MTN Mugs MTN Water Bottle MTN Systems MTN Stickers Pandora
     
    Wall to Wall MTN Puzzl6 MTN Kids Mute Silver Cap Keychain
    Protection and Safety
    MTN Protective Face Mask MTN PRO Gloves MTN Nitrile Gloves MTN Ninja MTN Hand Cleaner
    MTN Books
    A4 Marker Book A4 Black Book A5 Sketch Book A5 Sketch Book /Landscape Notebook
    Special Collections
    Pull&Bear® x MTN Kappa x MTN MTN x Garage Beer Co. Hardcore 25th Anniversary 25th anniversary
    How to
    How To
    See all
    Graffiti Caps Fine Arts Decoration & Handicrafts DIY & Professional
    Distribution
    International Distributors
    See all
    Montana Shops
    See all
    Retail Shops
    See all
    Montana Colors
    About Us
    See all
    Points of Sale
    See all
    Contact
    See all
    Documentation
    See all
    MTN-News
    Mtn-World Blog
    MTN Ideas
    MTN Jobs
    Online Store
    New
    MTN Apparel
    MTN Markers
    MTN Accessories
    MTN Systems
    MTN Caps
    MTN 25th Anniversary
    Graffiti Courses
    Montana colors
    Selling Points
    See all
    R+D
    See all
    Tramontana Magazine
    See all
    Delivery and shipment
    See all
    FAQs
    See all
    Keep D Planet Clean
    Documentation
    Information
    Cookies Policy
    Contact
    MONTANA COLORS S.L.
    C/ Anaïs Nin, 12, P.I. Pla de les Vives, 08295 St. Vicenç de Castellet, Barcelona, Spain
    Tel: (+34) 93 833 27 87
    Search...
    Login
  • Return

    Creating Community in Colorado with the LeftSide Gallery

    For the latest MTN Dealers feature, we head over the Atlantic to meet D.Wade from the LeftSide Gallery 


    The LeftSide Gallery opened in the summer of 2021 in Denver, Colorado, responding to a need for a real graffiti store in the area, managed by someone involved in the scene. That someone is D. Wade, who has single-handedly established a genuinely unique point of sale for Montana Colors. But the business is only half the story, as we found out when we called him up recently. 


    “We did this all out of pocket,” Wade explains. “I got a family of two kids and my wife. I lost my brother to cancer about five years ago and ever since I’ve been trying to do something for the community.” The results of his hard work are spectacular. The LeftSide Gallery, located in the Cole neighborhood of the city, is a spacious, well stocked store which is incredibly well organized and displays products from brands like MTN, Krink and Stylefile immaculately. There’s still space for personal touches though - the Lego street scene decorated with mini tags and throw-ups shows the pride that Wade takes in the space, and the appeal he has to both adults and kids. 




    His late sibling Austin was a significant influence on Wade when they started painting in Albuquerque, New Mexico. “We grew up in the skateboarding and graffiti community to the point where we started connected with so many people at such a young age,” he remembers. “We decided to focus on just painting and hooked up with All City Paint. As young kids we were supported by them, very well. That gave us the idea that this graffiti thing could be something that me and my brother could grow with.” 


    They moved to Denver together in search of more creative possibilities when illness struck. “My brother got sick and we lost him to cancer,” Wade says. “But no matter what we were going through, we never let go of writing graffiti. It was everything for us, it still is.” Having made their name in New Mexico, they established themselves in neighboring Colorado, and graffiti helped him channel his energy after losing his writing partner. “I started catching a ton of freights, which was a dream of mine, for as long as I could.” 


    Sadly, it was not the last time tragedy would strike Wade. Not long after his brother passed, he also lost one of his daughters. Needless to say, he was devastated, but he was able to find inspiration even in this period of mourning. “I hid in the house and dreamt up ideas that led to this phase that you can see now,” he says. “Rather than focusing on being an artist, I wanted to make change in the world.” So he was inspired to open the LeftSide Gallery in his new adopted city. 




    Opening the store wasn’t the end game for Wade, and his optimism and ambition is clear in everything he explains: “This is the first of many locations that I want to open. I really hope to push the graffiti culture to the next generations in a smoother and more accessible way - still filled with enough rules so we don’t ruin what we’ve worked for throughout our whole lives.” 


    As any independent store owner will tell you, there are no guarantees of success, and the money you risk is your own. “I was afraid of how much rent I’d be paying each month,” Wade explains. “I knew I’d be able to sell all the spray paint we needed to, and maybe some of my clothes and some art. But we’re already clearing rent by selling MTN paint alone. This is truly turning into something I never thought it would so quickly.”




    This particular graffiti store offers way more than art materials. The epic windows look out onto a basketball court, flanked by racks of balls for the locals to practice their jump-shots. The court is surrounded by walls which are painted on the regular, and the store front currently features a tight production by local artists Payer Slayer, Shoe TKO and Tusk 36. All of this is located next door to a Union Pacific Freight yard, for fans of rolling stock. 


    So what’s the best thing about the LeftSide Gallery? Wade has no doubt. “My favourite part is the kids. We’re located near to an area where people need help with food and clothing. Their kids have nothing to look forward to. Nothing pushing them towards constant happiness. With this community center, I want to voice the idea that everyone needs taking care of, everywhere.”
     


    Follow the LeftSide Gallery on Instagram: @leftsidegallery. And make sure to pay them a visit if you’re in town!


    Share
    December 03, 2021
    Categories
    Categories

    Montana Colors Dealers

    17

    Products

    77

    Projects

    60

    We Are Montana Colors

    42

    We Were There

    21
  • Download our app
    Google PlayApp Store
    SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
    Follow Montana Colors
    TikTok
    Follow MTN Ideas

    Montana colors

    Selling Points

    R+D

    Tramontana Magazine

    Delivery and shipment

    FAQs

    Keep D Planet Clean

    Documentation

    Information

    Cookies Policy

    Contact

    RETAIL SHOPS

    VIEW 

    Online and physical stores

    Access to our pro site
    MTN b2b Reseller information
    Apple PayMastercardMaestroAmerican ExpressVISAPayPal
    MONTANA COLORS S.L. · C/ Anaïs Nin, 12, P.I. Pla de les Vives, 08295 St. Vicenç de Castellet, Barcelona, Spain · Tel: (+34) 93 833 27 87 · [email protected]
    Legal Disclaimer Cookies