British Prime Minister Winston Churchill once had a simple explanation for his success.

“Never stand up when you can sit down.”

In that spirit, the Arvada Center, 6901 Wadsworth Boulevard, is kicking off 2018 by examining how local artists are influenced by what they sit on when contemplating and working on their creations.

Running through April 1, “in SITu” features three gallery exhibitions that that examine the artistry of chairs — From the Artist’s Perspective in the Main Gallery, Art Chair Auction in the Upper Gallery, and Chairs from the Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art in the Theatre Gallery.

“We all have elements in our studio that follow us wherever we go, and our chairs, stools or whatever, are one of these constants in the workshop,” said Patrick Marold, one of the artists who contributed to the Artist’s Perspective and Art Chair Auction exhibits. “I think this show is a great idea, because it highlights an object that may not be particularly special, but is important to the artist themselves.”

The auction is made up of IKEA IVAR chairs that have been decorated and designed by 50 artists, including departments at the center, like props and design. All the chairs are for sale, with the money supporting the center. Interested buyers have until March 31 to put in offers.

“Chairs are one of those common elements in everyone’s life that we connect with without realizing it,” said Kristin Bueb, exhibition coordinator at the center. “We have chairs that are functional for people who want to actually use them, and we also have sculptural creations.”

The chairs in the Theatre Gallery are designer chairs from Denver’s Kirkland Museum. Notable designers include Charles and Ray Eames, Frank Gehry, and Frank Lloyd Wright.

Perhaps the most interesting of the exhibits is From the Artist’s Perspective, which encourages visitors to sit in the 29 artists’ chairs, and look at a piece they created. Not only does this encourage a deeper examination of the work, but it invites the visitor to think about the creative process.

“I think looking at all these chairs gives the viewer a window into each artist,” Marold said. “It’s a very relatable show, because it highlights an object we all have experiences with.”

‘Sense and Sensibility’ takes to the stage

The art exhibit isn’t the only way the Arvada Center is starting off they year right. “Sense and Sensibility,” the second show in the center’s repertory theater season, opened Jan. 26.

Based on Jane Austen’s classic novel, the show runs through May 6 in the Black Box Theatre.

“This show takes the world of Austen, and makes it very theatrical,” said Regina Fernandez, who plays Marianne Dashwood in the show. “It’s a beautiful love story between two sisters, and the show is filled with a lot of great characters.”

Directed by Lynne Collins, the show focuses on Marianne and Elinor Dashwood (Jessica Robblee) as they deal with financial and romantic trials and tribulations in Georgian England. And while the show may be set 200 years ago, it still feels vital and relevant.

“There wasn’t a moment during rehearsal where I didn’t understand what was going on — the social norms may be different, but it’s still a vibrantly human story,” Collins said. “Young women, then and now, are so familiar with being worried about what the world thinks of them and being judged.”

The show kicks off the center’s repertory season in earnest, which allows audiences to see the same actors and creative team stretch themselves in very different plays.

“The theatricality of the play is so fun, and it’s a great collaborative process to be a part of,” Robblee added. “It’s a lot of fun to just breathe some life into this story.”

For tickets and information, visit www.arvadacenter.org.

Clarke’s Concert of the Week — Tyler, the Creator and Vince Staples at 1stBank Center

Over the last decade, Tyler the Creator and Vince Staples have been making some of the most adventurous, forward-looking rap in the genre, and in 2017, both shared top-notch albums.

Tyler’s “Flower Boy” saw him trading in shock lyrics over hard, minimalist tones that sometimes barely qualified as beats, to ones that are lush, soulful creations, over which he tells some of his most personal and love-drunk stories. On “Big Fish Theory,” Vince Staples brought in the sounds of British and Detroit house music for an album that is as sonically dense as it is lyrically nuanced.

People looking for an example of the diversity of hip-hop, and to get a sense of some of the genre’s best voices, shouldn’t miss Tyler, the Creator and Vince Staples at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6, at the 1stBank Center, 11450 Broomfield Lane in Broomfield.

For information and tickets, visit www.1stbankcenter.com.

Clarke Reader’s column on culture appears on a weekly basis. A community editor with Colorado Community Media, he can be reached creader@coloradocommunitymedia.com.