About Us
Cover Photo: Two Minds Meeting by Melanie Yazzie, Powder-coated steel, 2020.
About Loveland’s Art in Public Places
A community’s greatest gift is the evolving history of its people, their stories, their symbols, their enduring traditions. This community’s history is cast in bronze, in brilliant pigments, in images on film, in subtle fibers. The people of Loveland have enthusiastically embraced the arts and skillfully woven them into their daily lives, truly making Loveland A Work of Art.
History of Loveland’s Art in Public Places Program
Through vision, hard work and collaboration, Loveland has created a large, diverse public art collection that creates a sense of place and purpose. Here you will find sculpture on the way to the grocery store, in residential neighborhoods, in front of banks and offices, and in parks and playgrounds. Artistic expression abounds, creating the rich tapestry that makes Loveland unique among Colorado communities.
Staff
Susan Ison
Director, Cultural Services
Suzanne Janssen
Public Art Manager
Angela Canada Hopkins
Admin Support I
Early History
In 1984, Loveland was transformed into an arts community when a group of like-minded individuals banded together to host an outdoor sculpture show. This modest goal grew into a thriving non-profit organization, the Loveland High Plains Arts Council, which continues to host the annual event, Sculpture in the Park.
Art in Public Places Program
In 1985, Loveland made a profound commitment to the arts by becoming the first Colorado city to pass an Art in Public Places Ordinance, which designates one percent of the City’s capital projects (valued at $50,000 or more) for the purchase, display and ongoing maintenance of art. The Loveland Art in Public Places program is part of the larger Cultural Services Department for the City of Loveland.
A nine-member citizens’ committee, the Visual Arts Commission, oversees the City’s art acquisitions, donations and placements. Since 1985, several strong, successful public/private partnerships have been established.
The Commission works closely with artists who strive to interpret public spaces to add meaning and enhance everyday experiences. Artwork is prevalent throughout the community by embedding itself in everyday objects, such as benches, bike racks, bridges and ponds.
The City’s collection presently encompasses over five hundred diverse works of art valued at approximately $12.3 million dollars. Private contributions by arts organizations, citizens and artists, have donated over 62% of the value of the collection, making the City of Loveland unique among other municipalities.
Art in Loveland
In addition to the annual Sculpture in the Park and Loveland Sculpture Invitational, Loveland is home to the Loveland Museum, two foundries, numerous studios and galleries, as well as the Rialto Theater. Other area events include the Governor's Art Show as well as community-wide celebrations held throughout the year.
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Visual Arts Commission
The Visual Arts Commission is a nine-member City Council appointed board responsible for the acquisition, display and maintenance of artwork within the City’s collection. Meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month at 5 pm at the Loveland Museum (503 N. Lincoln Avenue).
- VISUAL ARTS COMMISSION
Jade Windell (Chairman)
Susan Atwater
Angela Brill
Bruce Gueswel
Greg Hoff
Maryjo Morgan
Abbie Powers
Margie Rosborough
Curtis Rowland
Council Liaison: Jacki Marsh, Mayor
AIPP Handbook of Guidelines:
The AIPP Handbook of Guidelines contains the City ordinances that established the Art in Public Places program and the One Percent for the Arts reserve fund. Additionally, you will find the adopted operational guidelines used by the Visual Arts Commission in their decision-making processes for the acquisition, display, maintenance and administration of the program.
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