Tucked in a quiet neighborhood of central Denver is a unique building with a story to tell. Once a 1940s fortune cookie factory, it has been transformed into a vibrant art gallery known as the Cookie Factory.
This creative space has not only preserved its fascinating history but also found a new purpose—connecting people through art and providing a place for healing.
A Journey from Fortune Cookies to Art
Amanda Precourt, the founder of the Cookie Factory, fell in love with the building nearly a decade ago. When she first saw it, the place was flooded with two inches of water, and fortune cookies were floating around the floor.
Vats used for making cookies were still present, and the atmosphere was filled with remnants of its past.
“I knew that it would really be amenable and really a positive place to have art of some kind,” said Amanda. “It came to the space the Cookie Factory is by a series of good fortune.”
After eight years of hard work, Amanda opened the Cookie Factory to the public in May. The space, which is privately funded, is free for everyone to visit.
For Amanda, the mission behind the Cookie Factory is deeply personal. Having found healing through art herself, she hopes the gallery will provide others with a similar experience.
“I hope that the Cookie Factory will allow others to heal through art, as I have in my life,” she said. “Art has been a very important space and place for me to find mental wellness.”
A Space for Healing and Connection
The Cookie Factory is not just about displaying art; it’s about providing a sanctuary. People can gather with friends, connect over shared experiences, or come alone to find peace in the quiet spaces, letting the art speak to them.
For Amanda, creating a space where visitors can either engage with the art or sit in silence is central to her vision.
Its inaugural exhibition, titled Nothing without Nature, showcases works by artist Sam Falls, created in Colorado’s Yampa River Valley. The exhibition invites visitors to reflect on the beauty and poetry of nature, offering a comforting, almost meditative experience.
“There’s a great quote about art, that art is meant to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable,” said Jason Jensdotter, co-founder of Cookie Factory.
“I don’t know if I agree with it all the way, but food for thought. I think this is a show that definitely comforts. It’s based in nature. It is very poetic.”
While the current exhibit runs through September, Amanda’s long-term vision for the Cookie Factory is clear. She wants it to remain a space for the community—one where art can spark important conversations and offer a quiet refuge for those seeking solace.
“I really want Cookie Factory to be received and seen as a gift that I’m making to the city,” she said. “I just hope that we add more discussion and more space and more places for people to get together and talk about important subjects that art sometimes can elicit.”
The Cookie Factory is already making a significant impact in Denver, and Amanda hopes it will continue to provide a space where individuals can reflect, heal, and be inspired by art for years to come.