April 2026 Highlights: New Works, Restored Favorites and Community in Action
Spring is a busy season for Denver Public Art, and this month’s highlights are proof. Across the city, new works are taking shape in parks, libraries, recreation centers and public spaces, from painted steel sculptures honoring neighborhood history to solar-powered installations that glow after dark. Artists are in their studios fabricating, communities are showing up to workshops and beloved pieces are getting the maintenance attention they deserve. This roundup captures just a slice of what’s been in motion; there’s always more happening than any single blog post can hold!
Each highlight is organized by city council district. Not sure which district your neighborhood is in? Use the City of Denver’s interactive map to find out.
New & Upcoming Installations
Installation at Federal Blvd & 25th Avenue
District 1
Artist duo Los Gatos Locos (The Crazy Cats) (Mr. Hanimal and Carlos Frésquez) are gearing up to install their new outdoor sculpture, “Federal & 25th,” in the coming weeks.
Made from painted steel, the pieces will bring a burst of color and playful energy to the intersection. Their imagery, deeply rooted in Chicano and Latinx culture, honors the neighborhood’s vibrant identity and rich history. We can’t wait to see this sculpture brighten up the corridor!
Artwork at Loretto Heights Theatre
District 2
Our community selection panel for the interior artwork at the soon-to-be renovated Theatre at Loretto Heights is officially underway. In April, four talented finalists were selected to submit full proposals for an artwork to be suspended from the lobby ceiling of the facility.
We’re looking forward to reviewing their concepts in May and are even more excited to eventually share the selected design with the community. The artwork will be installed during construction, with a grand reveal planned when the building opens to the public.
In addition to the indoor piece, we’re launching a separate outdoor artwork project for the site and overseeing the restoration of two existing artworks that were part of the original property.
Artworks Selected for Lena Archuleta Library
District 3
From more than 1,200 applications, the selection panel chose nine artworks for the new Lena Archuleta Library, most by local artists. Sculptural works and framed pieces will be installed throughout the building.
This project is unique: it’s one of the few times the Public Art Program has purchased completed artworks directly from artists instead of commissioning new work. The panel chose this approach to bring meaningful, ready‑to‑install artwork to the library much faster than the typical two‑year commission timeline. The final selections highlight themes connected to Latin and Native American culture, creating a rich and thoughtful collection for the community.
New Art at Ross–University Hills Library
District 4
We’re thrilled to announce that illustrator Anden Wilder has been selected to create a new artwork for the Ross–University Hills Library. This is Wilder’s first public art project, and her background in children’s book illustration makes this selection especially exciting for a library setting. We can’t wait to see her joyful style brought to life in the space.
New Sculpture for Schlessman Library
District 5
The commissioned artwork, “Wheel of Time” by artist Tsogo Mijid, will be installed this spring at the Schlessman Library. The project reimagines Tibetan prayer wheels traditionally spun to send prayers and blessings into the universe. The sculpture will be placed at the library’s main entrance.
New Artwork for Cook/Garland Park
District 6
The community selection panel has chosen Byrony Roberts for the Cook/Garland Park project. The California‑based artist will create a series of organic seating elements inspired by cherry stones, an homage to the natural character of the surrounding area.
The artist plans to collaborate closely with a Native American advisor and will host two community workshops so neighbors can share their stories and help shape the work. We’re thrilled to see this project move forward with such a strong community connection.
Ruby Hill Artwork Coming Soon
District 7
The artist team Steel N Pacific (Vanny Channal and Ratha Sok) is gearing up to install their new artwork at Ruby Hill Park. Their piece, “Ruby,” is a striking mural made of layered, textured steel that honors the park’s past, present and future. Even better, it includes an augmented reality component, adding a fun digital layer for visitors of all ages.
W. Jewell Pedestrian Bridge
District 7
The selection panel for the W. Jewell Avenue Pedestrian Bridge has awarded the $230,000 commission to local artist team Carlos Frésquez and Zachary Armijo!
The panel reviewed four other compelling proposals but felt especially connected to Frésquez and Armijo’s deep ties to the neighborhood and their thoughtful approach to weaving local history and even bike pumps into the design.
Their proposal is titled “Seven Generations.” More updates coming soon as the project moves into design and fabrication.
Solar Chroma for Verbena Park Underway
District 8
Artist Anaisa Franco is bringing innovation and sustainability to Verbena Park with “Solar Chroma,” a tree‑inspired sculpture that blends art, shade and clean energy. Using organic photovoltaic technology (a type of solar cell that uses organic materials to convert sunlight into electricity), the piece will gather sunlight during the day and gently illuminate the park at night.
Design and fabrication are now in progress, and we’re excited to watch this glowing new landmark take shape.
Swansea Recreation Center Community Art Night
District 9
KAMA Studios (Marcus Murray, Alyssa Mora, Kye Killian and Anthony Maes) hosted a vibrant community night at the Swansea Recreation Center, inviting neighbors to color their own paletas (popsicles). Many of these community‑created designs will be incorporated into the final murals that will appear on the undersides of each umbrella in the paleta‑inspired artwork and seating area.
It was a beautiful evening, full of creativity and participation, and a wonderful preview of the joyful artwork to come.
Mosaic Magic Coming Soon
District 9
Artist Nicole Banowetz is hard at work fabricating her mosaic masterpiece for the Central 70 Cover Park. Scheduled for installation in spring 2026, this colorful piece will bring creativity, energy and visual delight to the heart of the park.
First Colfax BRT Installation Complete
District 10
We’re excited to be adding new public artworks in glass to the top of every Colfax BRT station in Denver. The very first installation, stunning art glass by Denver’s own Lui Ferreyra, is now up at the westbound Pennsylvania Station.
On March 25, we celebrated with a “meet the artist” gathering at Buddies and Champagne Tiger. The team at Champagne Tiger even purchased a print by the artist on-site, featuring a tiger.
More artwork installations and more fun events are on the way. Stay tuned for details!
Webb Building Artist Residency
District 10
As the Webb Building undergoes a major renovation, our Public Art team has invited several local, and one national, artists to work onsite and create pieces inspired by the people who keep Denver running. Each artist is teamed with a different department to learn about their day‑to‑day work and transform those insights into art.
Denver artist Detour is collaborating with the Clerk & Recorder’s Office to create a giant, art board game that captures the challenges, joys and everyday beauty of being a city employee. He’s 3D‑printing dozens of pieces, many scanned from real office objects, to build a five‑foot‑wide board‑game tableau. And while it’s not technically playable, it’s still a lot of fun, poking a bit of fun at City processes.
Fire Station 40
District 11
Artist Sijia Chen is deep into the design and permitting phase for “LifeTower,” her glowing sculptural installation planned for next year. Community engagement is underway, and excitement for the project is growing! The artwork will serve as a striking landmark and a meaningful tribute to the first responders who call this station home.
56th Avenue & Peña Boulevard
District 11
Progress continues on Jodie Bliss’s upcoming sculpture, “Forged Together – A Journey Honoring the Fabric of Community.” The artwork’s base is scheduled for installation in summer 2026.
Jodie’s concept centers on the idea: “It’s not my place to tell your stories, but I can provide the canvas.” To bring that idea to life, she’s hosting hands‑on community workshops in the Montbello neighborhood, everything from drawing sessions to metal forging, and will use inspiration from these elements in the final sculpture. She’s also offering a mentorship for an emerging metalworking artist, making this truly a community‑built piece in every sense.
Maintenance Updates
“National Velvet” Gets Some Love
District 1
It’s hard to believe it’s been more than 17 years since “National Velvet” was installed. The artwork, created by John McEnroe, is a 20‑foot obelisk near the Highline Pedestrian Bridge, made from an aluminum base topped with a red fiberglass form.
The sculpture’s unique construction began with sand‑filled nylon coated in resin, which created a translucent candy‑like shell once the sand was removed. Inside, a branching structure of compact fluorescent bulbs gives the piece its signature glow. The Public Art team fixed several places where the fiberglass and resin were broken, did some electrical work and gave the whole piece a good cleaning. While there have been many changes in the neighborhood since the mid‑2000s, we are happy this iconic artwork is getting attention to ensure it continues to shine bright.
Burns Park Restoration Work Underway
District 5
Restoration work on the artworks at Burns Park continues. Later this month, we’ll be deinstalling “Untitled” (vertical black and red) by William Verhelst and replacing it with a fully rebuilt version restored to its original colors. We’re excited to see this refreshed artwork return to the park. In the meantime, the picture below shows the new piece in the fabrication process.
“Vacation Land” Restoration Complete
District 10
“Vacation Land” by Gary Sweeney, located on California Street between 15th and 16th, has been restored after vandalism damaged the glass elements. We’re glad to see it back to its vibrant self.
We are seeing an increasing number of vandalism incidents involving artworks across the city, particularly in our downtown core. If you see artwork that needs attention, please let us know at this link.
Opportunities
Out in the Community
On March 17, the Public Art team joined other city agencies at Thomas Jefferson High School to connect with District 4 community members and answer questions about our program. We also shared information about one of our favorite opportunities: serving on a Public Art Selection Panel!
It’s not too late to get involved! If you’re interested in contributing your voice and perspective, you can sign up to serve on the Public Art Selection Panel here. We’re always looking for new community participants, and no art experience is required.
Upcoming Project in District 10
A selection panel is forming for a new artwork that will be part of the first blocks of the 5280 Trail, beginning on Bannock Street. We’ll share updates as the panel reviews proposals and moves toward selecting an interactive artwork for the site.
Keep an Eye Out
Our Collections Care team will soon be accepting bids for cleaning and restoring Denver’s beloved blue bear, “I See What You Mean” by Lawrence Argent. Later this year, the bear will get a fresh coat of its iconic blue paint and a few much‑needed repairs.
MORE ARTIST OPPORTUNITIES TO COME IN 2026
In 2026, the Public Art Program will significantly scale up its work, initiating a record number of new projects citywide to stay on track with bond commitments. To that end, keep an eye out for many new RFQ announcements throughout the year. All calls are listed at www.denverpublicart.org/for-artists. Follow us on social media and subscribe to our Public Art newsletter for updates.