COMMUNITY PROFILE MORE THAN ART: DANIEL CHAVEZ’S CROSSDISCIPLINE APPROACH STORY BY ELISABETH MONAGHAN FOR DANIEL CHAVEZ, art has never been confined to a single medium – it’s a way of thinking, moving, and creating that draws from his deep ties to culture, community, and design. Chavez has been a self-employed artist for nearly 13 years, and all of his work has come through referrals. “There was a time when I didn’t even have a website—or business cards— because I was so busy,” Chavez explained. For the past several years, Chavez focused on the design aspect of his work through his cross-disciplined design firm Tzintzun, which offers everything from web design and apparel to murals, lighting, and custom interiors. “My goal has been to provide a cohesive and holistic approach to my clients, rather than patchworking different things together,” Chavez said. THE BEGINNING OF A CREATIVE LEGACY Chavez’s roots are a key to understanding how he sets himself apart from other artists. The house in the Sunnyside Neighborhood where Chavez grew up was one his grandfather built. Growing up in a home built by his grandfather grounded Chavez in a strong sense of place, family, and heritage – elements that continue to shape his artistic identity and approach to his art. “I was basically raised in the same house my mom was raised in,” explained Chavez. [My grandfather] used to have a couple of different houses here in this neighborhood, but he let them all go, and this was eventually the one that was passed on to my mom.” From an early age, Chavez felt a creative pull, which he attributes to a genetic predisposition. Although neither of his parents pursued art professionally, both displayed innate talent. His mother was a gifted painter and writer, and his father enjoyed drawing, creating posters with hand-colored illustrations of Disney characters like Winnie the Pooh for Chavez and his brother’s bedrooms. Even Chavez’s brother, who received a scholarship for ceramics and pottery, showed early promise in the arts. BUILDING A CROSS-DISCIPLINARY FOUNDATION Chavez’s creative drive proved more enduring, with a formal education that brought together multiple disciplines. Chavez studied art history at the Community College of Denver and Metropolitan State University before attending RECENTLY, DANIEL CHAVEZ STARTED A NEW PROJECT CALLED THE PORTRAIT LIBRARY, A MOBILE CART-BASED CREATIVE PROJECT THAT MERGES CANDID PORTRAITS WITH HANDMADE PRODUCTS. | PHOTO COURTESY OF DANIEL CHAVEZ 6 DENVER VOICE September 2025
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