Yesterday, I took my husband Mike with me on a scavenger hunt for examples of the public art we like so much. These photos are from his camera.
Found on an empty wall in our little downtown. People have painted tiles to create this mural.
For Valentine's Day, you can order a heart to be painted with a special message and posted on a pole somewhere around town. If you look closely, you can see several of them. They are all up and down the main roads through town. It's always fun to read the messages as you drive through town this time of year, although you have to be careful to watch the road and not get too distracted!
These hearts are sponsored by businesses around town. There are many of them, and it's quite a scavenger hunt to find them all. I love the fun differences between them all.
We have lots of public sculpture as well. There is a park not too far from our house that is dedicated to sculpture, and it is one of our favorite places to go for a walk. The sculptures range from modern to funny to sweet to whimsical. Here are a few of my favorites:
This guy's tiny head and body, and giant legs and feet just crack me up!
This one is found in the Children's Sculpture Garden at the park, and has been there since 1992.
Love these rabbits! They were newly installed in 2016.
This one always makes me happy - children having fun. It was sponsored by a family who lost their daughter in an airplane crash years ago.
And one last photo - we have painted utility boxes all over the place. This one celebrates the history of the cherry orchards that we used to have around here. I don't think there are any left, which is kind of sad, but we still have a summer Cherry Pie Festival that is fun to go to.
Years ago, Loveland citizens voted in a 1% tax for the arts, and that is where most all of this public art comes from. I love that about our town, and really enjoy the opportunities we have to see all different kinds of art.
Hope you are having a great week! Be sure to visit LeeAnna at Not Afraid of Color for more I Like Thursday fun!
Enjoyed your tour! I was in your area several years ago for a training class with Marci Baker but we didn't have any free time to go into town. Did go to a really good microbrewery, though.
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful town! How can you beat citizens who understand the power of beauty?! Lego my heart is so funny, and the sculptures are great but the painted utility boxes?? Genius!
ReplyDeleteNow I feel bad we didn't get time to see any of this. Another time I guess. So glad you shared now though!
ReplyDeleteHearts around town? What a great idea. You live in such an artistic and inviting town. The tax is such well spent. I'm envious. Thank you for this post. It will stay with me for awhile. mary in Az
ReplyDeleteI heart your post and town! Wow! What a wonderful place to live! Thanks for the tour!
ReplyDeleteThe art really adds a lot of charm to a town, and yours looks very charming! I especially like the idea of painting the utility boxes, which are otherwise an eyesore.
ReplyDeleteI went to a conference in Loveland in October and really liked it there! It had a small town feel, but was nice and close to Denver. I have been thinking about getting my principal's license and relocating maybe it should be on my potential list. The art is so cool!
ReplyDeleteThere is beauty all around us - we just need to look. Thank you for sharing your fun outing with us. I loved it.
ReplyDeleteBunnies! those are terrific. All those hearts are a lot of fun, too.
ReplyDeleteThe sculpture with the giant legs also cracks me up! What a fun place to live. Cherry pie is my favorite, and I would love to sample some of your town's! Fun, fun post.
ReplyDeleteVery fun post. Thanks for the art tour of Loveland. I love that bunny sculpture, very fun.
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