Laura Merage is an artist, photographer, and venture philanthropist with over 45 years of experience in the art world. Her work takes on many different forms, ranging from multimedia textile projects and installations to sculpture and photography.

Born in Tehran, Iran, Laura moved to Los Angeles at the age of fifteen. She pursued her passion for art by earning a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Southern California, followed by a Master's Degree in Art from New York University.

Throughout her career, Laura has exhibited her work in numerous solo and group exhibitions, earning recognition nationally and internationally. Her pieces are featured in public and private collections, including those at the Denver Art Museum and the Buhl Foundation.

In 2008, Laura founded RedLine — a nonprofit arts organization based in Denver, Colorado — dedicated to fostering positive social change through art. RedLine provides residencies, grants, educational programs, and curated exhibitions to support emerging and established artists. Since its inception, RedLine has received several awards, including the Best Non-Profit Gallery and Business for the Arts Award.

After witnessing the positive impact of RedLine on the Denver art community, Laura founded Black Cube Nomadic Art Museum in 2015. This nonprofit, experimental museum operates nomadically, producing site-specific artworks in public spaces to broaden access to contemporary art beyond traditional gallery settings.


Exhibitions, articles, and awards

2024

Exhibitions:

Roseville, CA — Blue Line Arts — By Hand Exhibition

2023

Exhibitions:

Lehavim, Israel – Local Council Building – All Of Us

Denver, CO – Emmanual Gallery — Made In Colorado

Artist Talks:

Why Art Matters: Laura Merage Artist Talk at Emmanuel Gallery

Articles:

Genesis — Factum Arte

DARIA – Made in Colorado

Denver Post — Colorful and lively, “Made in Colorado” includes many of the state’s most successful artists working today

Colorado History Museum — Bold Women Change History

The Jerusalem Post – Empowering Lone Soldier Olim

The Jerusalem Post – Merage Foundation Israel: Creating Communities for Change

ADL Board Member Emeritus — Mountain States Spotlight with ADL Emeritus Board Member Laura Merage

Visionary Women Leadership Circle

Board of Governors, Tel Aviv University

2022

Articles:

The Jerusalem Post – David and Laura Merage: Philanthropists Supporting Israel

Buzzfeed – Like The Movie “The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind” Here Are 100 Things You Need To Leave A Lasting Impact Cause In Real Life

2021

Articles:

Medium – Social Impact Investors: How Laura Merage Is Helping To Empower Artists

Alliance Magazine Newsletter – Act Now of the Future Will be Artless

Alliance Magazine – Act Now of the Future Will be Artless

Thrive Global – Listening To Women, The Road Map To Recovery

Forbes – To Create Opportunities For Future Generations, Invest More Than A Check

2020

Articles:

Westword Magazine – Black Cube: Freeing Art from Museums

Inside Philanthropy – A Colorado Couple Brings A Venture Approach to Family Philanthropy

2019

Articles:

ADL Mountain States Blog – Spotlight on Laura Merage

2018

Exhibitions:

Denver, CO — RedLine — Nausy, Nausy

Arvada Center for Arts and Humanity – Nausy, Nausy

Articles:

Westword Magazine – Redline Celebrates its 10th Anniversary

RedLine, 10x Gala Keynote Address

2016

Articles:

Confluence Denver – Art Uncaged: Black Cube Roams Denver

2014

Exhibitions:

Denver, CO — One Wall Project: Massive

San Francisco, CA — Thoreau Center for Sustainability Gallery - Tracing My Life Story

Milwaukee, WI - RedLine — RedLine Cofounders Exhibition: Fatigue

Honored at the RedLine EPIC Gala

2013

Articles:

Denver, CO — McNichole's Building — Biennial of the Americas, First Draft

2012

Exhibitions:

Denver, CO — Carmen Wiedenhoeft Gallery — Never Ending Quilt, Story of My Life

New York, NY — NYU — Venice Alumni Exhibition

Denver, CO — RedLine — MATERIAL ENGAGEMENTS

Venice, CA — Shulamit Gallery — My heart is in the East and I am at the ends of the West

Artist Talks:

Ted x MileHigh — The Girl Trap — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GggL8l_tP9I&t=746s

ARTmagnet.org Podcast — Laura Merage Answers The Denver Question

Denver Public Library — Open Book Workshop: Our Stories

2011

Articles:

Colorado Biz Magazine – Executive Edge: Laura Merage

Broomfield, CO — Ballet Nouveu Colorado — Collaboration with Sarah Tellman — See Yourself

5280 – The Power Issue

Colorado Expressions – Passionate Philanthropist

2010

Exhibitions:

Denver, CO — Republic Plaza — RedLine @ Republic Plaza

Denver, CO — RedLine — ECHO

Denver, CO — RedLine — Cross Ties Across Time

Lakewood, CO — Lakewood Cultural Center — Chasing the Sublime

Denver, CO — Singer Gallery — Look at Yourself, Thirty Years of Photographs

You Lucky Dog

Articles:

Rocky Mountain News Article – Street Level; A Century of New York Photography

Like Me – Lens Crafters

2009

Exhibitions:

Windows to the Devine

2008

Awards:

ADL Distinguished Community Service Award

Articles:

Westword Magazine – Redline

The Denver Post – A New Center for Art, a New Sort of Arts Philanthropy

Rocky Mountain Spotlight – A Taste of Persia

2005

Exhibitions:

Photo Exhibition — Raw Form

2004

Exhibitions:

Denver, CO — Rule Gallery — Naked Truths

2003

Exhibitions:

Denver, CO — Rule Gallery — BOXED IN: The Changing Face of the Middle East
Denver, CO — BMH-BJ Congregation — Faces of Israel

Los Angeles, CA — I-5 Gallery — Mixed Media Group show 


New York, NY — 80 Washington Square East Galleries — New York University Masters in Art Program

Thesis Show — Mixed Media Group Show
Denver, CO — Singer Gallery — Street Level: A Century of New York Street Photography

Bresnia, Italy — Clara and the Americans — Mixed Media Group Show
Jewish Rocky Mountain News Interview
Recognition for Photography Show at BMH-BJ, Congregation in celebration of Israel's 55th Independence Day

Intermountain Jewish Muse – Faces of Israel; Through the Eyes of Laura Merage


2002

Articles:

Rocky Mountain News – Growing Concern Seen in Art

2001

Awards:

Monetary Prize winner for Art Competition in Clara and the Americans Show Bresnia, Italy

2000

Artist Talks:

Denver Rocky Mountain News, Friday September 15 Spotlight — Art Relays Bible Stories
Denver Art Museum Summer Salon — Speaker

1999

Exhibitions:

Denver, CO — Carol Keller Gallery — Photography and Bronze Sculptures


1998

Exhibitions:

Denver, CO — Denver Art Museum — Group Photography Show

Denver Rocky Mountain News, Sunday April 26
Spotlight Section — A Comeback for Contemporary Art
Recognition for Photography at Denver Art Museum