St. Andrew’s Village
Take The Trail To See Some Of Denver’s Public Art
Virga by Patrick Marold. Photo by Rudi Cerri
Infinite Span by Michael Buckley. Photo provided by denverpublicart.org
With more than 400 pieces in the Denver Public Art Collection and more than $40 million funding into new public art commissions, the City and County of Denver is dedicated to its public art program.
The collection includes traditional art forms such as sculpture and painting, but also includes sound art, projection and light-based works, interactive new media pieces, temporary fiber-based works, and performance-based works.
The program was established in 1988 as an Executive Order under Mayor Federico Peña. The order states that 1% of any capital improvement project over $1 million undertaken by the City, be set aside for public art. Additional funding comes from the Urban Arts Fund, a graffiti prevention and youth development program, focusing on community-building and social change.
Over the past 30 years these commissioned artworks, along with historic and donated works, make up Denver’s Public Art Collection.
As we spring forward into war
Cottonwood Critters by Chainsaw Mama. Photo by JLH in DESIGN
mer days, it’s a great time to discover some of Denver’s public art that can be found along its most popular trails. So, hit the trail and immerse yourself in nature and the arts with these notable stops.
Cherry Creek Trail
From Confluence Park to Cherry Creek Reservoir, use the Cherry Creek Trail Tour to find these and other artful stops along the 11 mile stretch of Cherry Creek in Denver.
A favorite piece along the trail is the Virga by artist Patrick Marold. The piece sits atop the Delgany St. Bridge over the trail. Made of over 300 stainless steel tubes, suspended in the structural steel, the architectural sculpture was inspired by the cycle of water in Colorado and is intended to eventually support the growing vines on the west end of the bridge. Blending art with nature, the installation may become a living canopy over the bridge.
Located at Confluence Park at Shoemaker Plaza, Sing and Glide by artist Jeanne Quinn, is a mosaic sculpture using the colors of the sea to mimic the flow of the river that cuts through the urban park. “Confluence Park brings together two rivers, the South Platte and Cherry Creek. It is also an urban park, a place where nature and city life are married,” the artist, Jeanne Quinn said in a statement about her work.
We Are Future Strata by Michael Buckley. Photo provided by High Line Canal Conservancy
Created by artist John King, Talk to the Birds, is a 16’ mild steel kinetic sculpture. Located in the Hampden neighborhood, the artwork is installed in a grassy section formed by the junction of the Cherry Creek Trail and the spur trails from South Havana Street. The goal of this artwork is to celebrate the community, uniqueness, and diversity of the students at the Joe Shoemaker School.
High Line Canal
From Waterton Canyon to Green Valley Ranch, just south of Denver International Airport, the High Line Canal runs 71 miles long, divided into two main areas — the northern and southern half. “In general, the northern half of the canal trail is paved and it’s where people will find more public art pieces,” says Suzanna Fry Jones, Senior Director of Programs and Partnerships at the High Line Canal Conservancy.
“A focus for us is to see how we can enhance the trail but not interfere with the natural scenery around it,” says Jones. A perfect example of that is the artwork found at the corner of Hampden and Colorado (mile 37). Titled, We Are Future Strata, the cluster of three 50,000-pound granite boulders are painted with brightly colored stripes meant to depict strata. Local artist, Michael Buckley, wanted to convey a post-human future where the man-made environment has become strata stone.
The art found along the trail system is a mix of commissioned pieces by the Denver Public Art program and community artists adding to public spaces. “In fact, much of the art pieces found along the trail happened organically from the locals in the community,” says Jones.
Some of these pieces include Ceramic Birds, artist unknown, located in Centennial near mile 29. Other pieces include unique wood carvings by Loveland artist known as Chainsaw Mama. There are two at Bible Park, near mile 41 and 42, plus the third sculpture, Cottonwood Critters, a bench near I-25 and mile 39.
To learn more about the High Line Canal Trail and what to see use their online guidebook.
South Platte River Trail
With the improvements made over the years along the South Platte River Trail, public art has been added in a few spots to help with its beautification. One piece of note is Infinite Span, by artist Michael Buckley.
Located at the Grant-Frontier Park, in the Overland neighborhood, the piece is a mirror-polished stainless-steel diamond suspended by stainless steel cables. Floating over Grant Frontier Park, the artwork is meant to represent the infinite nature of time and the fleeting present moment.
To build your own Denver Public Art Tour visit them at DenverPublicArt.org or use one of theirs highlighting certain areas and themes. They also host guided tours with the summer schedule coming out soon.
Two American Retailer Products Every Coloradan Should Own: Tecovas Boots And Coalatree Hoodies
by Mark Smiley
The Earl: Tecovas boots go through a 200-step man-made process. The Earl has a lower heel and a shorter shaft than the traditional cowboy boot. It is made for comfortable wear all day long.
There are two staple items that every Coloradan needs in their closet, a good pair of boots and a comfortable hoodie. From fashion to function, cowboy boots are an essential statement piece to anybody’s wardrobe. And there isn’t anything quite like having a hoodie to keep you warm on a cold Colorado winter night.
One boot to consider purchasing is The Earl, a roper boot made by Tecovas, a company founded in 2015. A roper boot is a streamlined modern version of the cowboy boot with a lower heel and shorter shaft. The Earl features a heel shorter than that of a traditional cowboy boot. The vamp is left unadorned in order to showcase the ultra-soft, hand-burnished calfskin, bovine, or goat leather.
The Earl stands on a stacked leather heel with a rubber end cap. It’s available in a classic, ultra-soft calfskin, bovine, or goat leather. Goat is rich with natural oils, so the boots will quickly earn an aged look.
It takes over 200 steps to make a single Tecovas boot, and each one is crafted by hand in León, Mexico. León has a reputation for manufacturing excellent leather goods and Tecovas boots are known for their exotic leathers — from python to crocodile — as well as for their intricate stitch designs.
This boot is easy to slide on and comfortable to wear all day long. A boot remover tool makes it easier to remove the boot. These boots are stylish with jeans and also look good with slacks.
“Having bought a number of Tecovas boots/access
The Evolution Hoodie: Each hoodie contains three cups of recycled coffee grounds and 10 recycled plastic bottles.
ories, and given them as gifts, I can say that those who received them are extremely happy with the styling and quality of your products,” said Craig A. “And my dealings with customer service have always been a pleasure in their timely actions. You can rest assured that there will be future purchases.”
Tecovas operates on a direct-to-consumer model with all of their products, including boots for women, and wallets, available on their website. This allows them to keep the cost at a reasonable price point. The Earl retails for $265 and is available online or in store.
They also have a brick-and-mortar store located in Cherry Creek North. Tecovas is located at 3030 E. Second Avenue. They welcome you in store with a boot fitting, a boot shine, or whatever else you may be looking for. Even walking in on a busy Saturday, they will make you feel like you are the only one in the store.
Another company’s product to consider for comfort and style is Coalatree, based in Salt Lake City and founded in 2010. Their designs have eco-minded gear and apparel for athletes and photographers, to your average city folks, and weekend warriors.
The Evolution Hoodie has over 20 features for everyday wear and travel. The zippered kangaroo pocket keeps your ite
ms safe and secure. It also folds into a pillow making it easy to pack for travel.
This hoodie is made from spent coffee grounds that are mixed and melted down with recycled plastic bottles to create the fibers for this hoodie. The result is a hoodie packed with features and finished with a water-repellent coating. It also resists odors since coffee naturally absorbs and neutralizes odors. It is very soft and comfortable to wear all day and retails for $109.
“This product is very good,” said Kristin Covalt. “Hoodie maintains size after first wash. Roo pouch in the front is a carry case for the Hoodie or a pillow in a pinch. Fabric is very comfortable, similar to getting a hug. If you are thinking of getting something to spend those crisp mornings in, or just relaxing around on a fall day, this is absolutely a hoodie worth getting. I am sure for the winter months it will absolutely hold its own.”
For more information, visit www.coalatree.com. You can find Coalatree on all social media platforms @Coalatree.
