Public Art

Art on the Commons is an annually rotating selection of sculptures hosted on Lakewood’s Civic Center Plaza and other prominent locations such as the Colfax Sculpture Walk.

This year's sculptures include:

Bobbi Rubingh: 3 Red Gongs
Colin Parson: Interference Tower
Evan Beloni: Swiss Block
Gary Manuel: Caliper
Maureen Hearty: Refuge
Reven Marie Swanson: Dancing Moon Velocity 

Art on the Commons and Colfax Sculpture Walk

Six sculptures are selected for display in Lakewood’s City Commons and three are chosen for the Sculpture walk at Colfax Ave. and Wadsworth Blvd. Artists whose sculptures are selected for this exhibit will receive a $1000 honorarium and will be eligible for a People’s Choice Award of $500. Sculptures are installed in fall and remain on display for one year.  

Specifications: 

Any style in a durable medium will be considered but submitted artwork must be complete and ready for installation, structurally safe, and able to withstand Colorado’s weather. Sculpture must be a minimum of 40 inches in height, no taller than 120 inches, and should not exceed maximum base dimensions of 36” x 54 inches. Pedestals are permanent and provided by the City of Lakewood. Each submission must be capable of being welded or securely fastened to a ¼-inch steel plate. The curator, prior to installation, must approve any base provided by the artist.  

Entry:  

Entry for 2023 has concluded. 

Timeline: 

Contact: Arts Programming Curator, Laine Godsey at LaiGod@Lakewood.org

Sponsors

The artwork is sponsored by the Alameda Connects, Lakewood-West Colfax Business Improvement District and the SCFD.

Public Art Plan

The creation of a Public Art Plan involves collaboration between City staff, community organizations, business associations, property and business owners and managers, residents, and other stakeholders. The planning process involves working with these stakeholders to identify a vision and future direction for public art in Lakewood and to establish goals and action steps to implement the vision. A stakeholder steering committee guides the development of the plan. Public meetings and a community survey provides additional opportunities for community input.

A Public Art Plan was approved by City Council on July 8, 2013

View the 2013 Plan(PDF, 3MB)

*If you need an accessible copy of the 2013 plan, please contact adacoordinator@lakewood.org.

Lakewood has launched a project to update the Public Art Plan and we want to hear from you! Learn more about the Connect. Discover. Create.: Public Art Plan and how you can get involved by viewing our website. (Available in October 2023)

2024 Public Art Plan

Arts and culture are essential and integral to Lakewood. Since the public art program’s inception in 1995, more than 50 permanent works of art have been installed across the City of Lakewood, while also annually exhibiting temporary sculpture through the Art on the Commons program. Lakewood continues to recognize the positive role of visual arts and the value of public art for the community.

Follow this map to discover public art throughout Lakewood.

Please note, specific art pieces may be temporarily moved due to maintenance or changing conditions.

Samples of public art:

 

   

The City of Lakewood and the Heritage, Culture & the Arts Division are pleased to announce the completion of the public art project in celebration of Lakewood’s 50th Anniversary in 2019.

“Echoes and Reflections: Lakewood’s 50th Anniversary,” a large-scale installation of reflective metal sculptures by artist Collin Parson, stands at a site of historical significance in Addenbrooke Park for the community to enjoy. This public artwork celebrates Lakewood’s unique history and diverse residents, those that laid the foundation for incorporation and paved the way for the city’s robust cultural community that exists today. 

The selection process

A request for proposals was sent on July 16, 2018, which resulted in responses from artists from across the United States. After an extensive review process, including an online public voting platform and a public art selection panel, Lakewood’s public art committee selected Parson’s proposal. The artist’s passion for the project comes from his deep connection with Lakewood. Parson is a local arts administrator, artist, curator and designer who was raised in Lakewood and has enjoyed Addenbrooke Park throughout his childhood and as an adult with his wife and child. 

Combining history with art

The new artwork is installed on the site where the Addenbrooke family home, constructed in 1953, once stood near the corner of South Garrison Street and West Center Avenue. The home’s fireplace, which remains standing, includes stones collected from around the world by the Addenbrooke family. Parson’s artwork is inspired by the sense of inclusion and place metaphorically exemplified by this historical landmark.

“Echoes and Reflections” incorporates mirrored stainless steel in shapes that mimic the structure of the former home. “I hope to reflect the past and the present by recreating the echoes or fragments of the homestead, such as doors, corners and windows, that once stood as the Addenbrooke family home. By using mirror polished stainless steel, these elements would pay homage to the past, yet literally reflect the current environment and all the people who occupy it now and in the future,” said Parson.

Learn more and read a Q&A with the artist

40 West ArtLine Overview

40 West ArtLine Framework Plan