‘In our own backyard’

ALONG PUBLIC ROAD

Lafayette welcomes new group of sculptures as a part of Art of the Street

Crews from Hoff Construction install Deveren B. Farley’s sculpture “Off to Work,” a large dragon sculpture near the intersection of Waneka Parkway and South Public Road in Lafayette on Wednesday. The sculpture is part of the Art on the Street sculpture on loan program. MATTHEW JONAS — STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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By Andrea Grajeda

agrajeda@prairiemountainmedia.com

A new group of sculptures will be displayed for the next year along Public Road in Lafayette as part of the city’s sculpture-on-loan Art on the Street program.

Every year since 2009, a new selection of sculptures gets chosen by the Lafayette Public Art Committee to help beautify the Old Town area, with sculptures displayed along Public Road, East Simpson Street and in front of the Arts Hub, 420 Courtney Way. When the program first started in 2009, Public Art Coordinator Stacey Bernstein said, only six sculptures were part of Art on the Street. This year, 21 sculptures will be on display

Bernstein said that through a variety of mediums such as steel, glass or concrete, the art brings beauty and interest to the area.

Bernstein and the committee encourage residents to hold conversations about the sculptures — whether they love them or not. While there have been some sculptures that people have been sad to see go, or other sculptures that became divisive, Bernstein said the goal of the program is to get people out, walking and discussing. “Even though people get a little upset when something they like goes away,” Bernstein said, “it gets them talking.”

It can be intimidating stepping into a gallery, Bernstein said, but it is easy to take a stroll along Public Road.

Bernstein said there are a few sculptures that could steal everyone’s attention. One piece by Deveren B. Farley, titled “Off to Work,” is a 24-foot-long, 12-foot-tall dragon sculpture made from recycled metal. The dragon is likely the largest and heaviest sculpture that has been a part of the program, according to Bernstein, and it will be displayed along Public Road.

“Spirit of the Forest” by Ted Wilson is a hand forged, blacksmithed piece displaying a buck with the antlers merging into branches and leaves. He will have another sculpture, “The Reader,” on display as well.

Wilson, a Longmont-based artist, said he wanted the deer to look strong, serious and sturdy, yet graceful. “I feel like he’s powerful and watchful and a protector,” Wilson said.

While Wilson does not want to direct the audience to think certain things about his art, he does hope that the strong, stern deer antlers transitioning into a more calm, peaceful nature scene calls people to protect wild space and think about their connection to nature.

Andrew Krimm, the Arts Hub’s director, said having the art installations demonstrates how art and creativity are woven into the fabric of the community and not just something meant for the stage or in a gallery.

“Having this kind of public art on our campus is such a powerful extension of our mission — it’s accessible, inspiring and invites conversation before anyone even steps foot in the building. For our patrons, especially our young artists and students, it’s a daily reminder that creativity is alive and well in our own backyard,” Krimm said.

Residents will also have the chance to show off artwork that the sculptures have inspired them to create through the Art on the Street: See & Respond exhibit. Whether it is a poem, a painting or a photo, residents can submit their art to The Collective Community Arts Center, 201 N. Public Road, for a chance to be featured in the exhibit. The call for entries opens mid-May and is open through September, with the exhibit in October.

A full list of sculptures, artists and locations will be available at lafayetteco.gov/3972/Art-on-the-Street as well as on brochures available to pick up at The Collective.