He knew everything anyone wanted to know about THE ELLIE.

And he was always there to tell the story. A principal with Semple Brown Design in charge of communications and business development for the architectural firm, CHRIS WINEMAN became the public face for the opera house as the Auditorium renovation project progressed from dream to reality.

He met with Denver's arts groups to help move the project up the city's priority list, presented the project to numerous community and political groups to get it on the ballot and eventually passed by the citizens.

During the construction phase, Chris led at least 60 hard-hat tours of the facility that included various donor groups, members of the press, and other interested parties. These, together with his effective presentations, built a groundswell of interest and support that helped the opera and ballet companies to raise needed funds and enabled the City of Denver to attract additional private funding for the historic exterior renovation and the completion of such functional interior spaces as the Chambers-Grant Salon.

Chris Wineman was a superb spokesman for The Ellie. He delivered -  with good humor, elegant precision, cheerful enthusiasm and a naturally understated style that invited confidence and commitment, as he helped the public better understand the role of the arts in the community and the positive impact a new state-of-the-art opera house would have on Denver's ranking as a world-class cultural destination.

Photo credit: KKN Enterprises