Abstract Expressionism is one of art history’s most well-worn stories. After the Renaissance and Impressionism, maybe the most well-worn. Jackson Pollock. Willem and Elaine de Kooning. Lee Krasner.

DENVER — The story goes like this. It is 1950. Virginia-born painter Judith Godwin learns that dancer and choreographer Martha Graham will be in the region and all Godwin can think about is her desire ...