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.

Art on the Commons and Colfax Sculpture Walk

Artists are invited to participate in Lakewood’s Art on the Commons and Colfax Sculpture Walk outdoor sculpture exhibits. Six sculptures will be selected for display in Lakewood’s City Commons and three will be 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 will be installed in August 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:  

Artists may enter up to three works for consideration for a $20 flat fee. Please pay your fee on Lakewood.org/Register and keep the receipt number to include on your application. A login or new user registration is required for this site. If you have issues or questions, call 303-987-7845.

Submit Application

Timeline: 

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

Sponsors

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

Many of Lakewood's parks are home to beautiful public art pieces. View a list of parks with public art by visiting the park listings webpage.

View Park Listings

Public Art Master Plan

The creation of the Public Art Master Plan has involved collaboration between City staff, community organizations, business associations, property and business owners and managers, residents, and other stakeholders. The planning process involved 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 guided the development of the plan. Public meetings and a community survey provided additional opportunities for community input.

The City Council adopted the Public Art Master Plan on July 8, 2013.

View the Master Plan(PDF, 3MB)

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(PDF, 6MB)