christina critchell

Art History

Christina Critchell began her undergraduate work as an art major at University of Northern Colorado. After transferring to University of Colorado Denver, she changed her major to art history and began her professional life at Antoine du Chez Day Spas and Salons. Developing a passion for the industry of health, beauty and wellness, she built a career in management over twelve years at The Oxford Club Spa, Salon and Fitness Center, where she became Director of Operations.

As an employee of Sage Hospitality Resources, she was on The Oxford Hotel Executive Committee, the entity responsible for opening The Crawford Hotel at Union Station. In 2016, she became Director of Operations for The Woodhouse Day Spas in Denver and Littleton, and is a consultant in the spa industry in the western states. Along the way, she married her husband Taylor and had two beautiful children whom she adores. She will earn her B.A. in Art History from UCD in May 2018.

artist

statement


Denver’s Raison d’etre: A Formal and Historical Analysis of Union Station

From the time it was erected in 1881, Union Station has been a point of connectivity for the state of Colorado and was the catalyst for the development of Denver as a city. Had the railroad system not come through Denver as a result of the Union Station, Denver would not be the metropolis it is today. Originally known as the Denver Depot, the train station located at 17th Street and Wynkoop has long symbolized the power of a regional approach to infrastructure and growth management, as well as the economic advancement for Denver.

This study takes the position that the building, through its various renovations, is a barometer of Denver’s development as a whole. Moreover, the various redevelopments of this historic landmark, both structural and formal, repeatedly and successfully contributed to the revitalization of Denver. As a result, Union Station continues to be a destination for regional, national, and even international travelers.

A major part of the building’s success is the use of land around the station, the design of the building, and its multifunctional layout that combines aesthetic considerations and the creation of an environment that promotes community. Through a historical and visual analysis of Union Station, this study argues that the building is not only a centerpiece of Denver but also put the city on the map as a major metropolis.