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
2025
Exhibitions:
Fort Collins, CO — The Lincoln Center — 2025 Contemporary Art Survey, April 18 - June 13
Lakewood, CO — Lakewood Cultural Center — WCA Colorado Chapter COMPARTMENTALIZE Exhibition, May 30 - August 16
Aspen, CO — The Red Brick Center for the Arts — 2025 Colorado Juried Exhibition, June 5 - August 1
Art Fairs:
Dallas, TX — The Other Art Fair, May 15 - 18
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