Council District 3 Q4 2025 Updates

Welcome to Denver Public Art’s quarterly update—a roundup of new installations, works in progress and artist news happening across our city.

Each post in this series 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.

A large circular polished steel sculpture installed on a pedestal in front of a multi-story Art Deco building. The disc features an intricate cutout pattern of flowing, organic forms suggesting water or river systems. Two curved horizontal arms extend from either side of the pedestal base. The photo is taken from street level looking up, emphasizing the building's vertical limestone facade and the sculpture's scale against it. — “Suijin” by Sabin Aell

A close-up, straight-on view of the same circular steel sculpture mounted against the Wastewater Management building's stone facade. The cutout pattern of layered, fluid shapes is more visible at this angle, with the building's windows and surrounding trees reflected in the polished metal surface. The curved arms of the base extend symmetrically to either side.

FLUID BEAUTY AT WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT

Sabin Aell has installed “Suijin,” a stunning sculpture whose flowing form contrasts beautifully with the building’s bold Art Deco details, creating a harmonious blend of architecture and art.

BEYOND BOOKS: A COLORFUL TRIBUTE AT ROSS-PHYLLIS BIGPONG LIBRARY

Julio “Juls” Mendoza has completed “Beyond Books,” a vibrant mural that celebrates the library as a hub for all ages and abilities. Juls’ deep roots in Denver’s Westside communities make this piece a heartfelt addition to the space.

Two people wearing hard hats and safety vests smile together at an indoor construction site topping off ceremony. To their right, a rendering of a tall, stacked sculptural artwork in shades of blue with bold geometric and spiral forms is displayed on an easel. Yellow safety vests and white hard hats hang on a rack in the background alongside an FCI Constructors sign. — Ratha Sok and Councilwoman Torres at the Topping Off Ceremony

BUILDING BLOCKS OF COMMUNITY AT THE WESTWOOD RECREATION CENTER

On December 5, Ratha Sok, the local artist selected for the rec center commission, joined the Topping Off Ceremony of the building, where community members signed the final beam of the new facility. His piece, “Building Blocks,” is inspired by resilience in the face of hardship and the movements of breakdancers, and will be installed ahead of the center’s grand opening in April 2027.

PATHWAYS TO SHELTER: ART MEETS WELLNESS

Installation is underway for “Pathways to Shelter“ by Melanie Walker and George Peters at the Behavioral Health Solutions Center. Featuring shade structures and a meditative labyrinth, this piece offers comfort and calm for those on their path to recovery and is expected to be completed in the summer of 2026.

A large, colorful mural in progress covering the full length of a communal dining room wall. The composition centers on a large sunflower with a detailed circular mosaic at its center, surrounded by figures of women and children in tender embraces nestled within flowers. Butterflies, birds, and small figures are scattered throughout a soft blue sky background, with a border of wildflowers along the bottom. Three-dimensional sculptural elements including butterfly wings and flower petals extend from the wall's surface. Dining tables and chairs are visible in the foreground. — An in-progress photo of “El lenguaje de las Flores” by Leticia Darlina Tanguma

ART WITH HEART AT THE THEODORA FAMILY HOTEL

Leticia Darlina Tanguma is creating “El lenguaje de las Flores,” a mural honoring resilience and diversity in the communal dining area at this new facility. Drawing from her own experience, Tanguma brings empathy and strength to this trauma-informed project. Installation will occur in early 2026.

COLORFUL CONNECTIONS COMING TO MORRISON ROAD PLAZAS

Guadalupe Hernandez and Julio Mendoza will bring vibrant works to new pedestrian plazas along Morrison Road by late 2027. Hernandez will create three sculptural benches around the perimeter of one of the future pedestrian plazas with design inspired by Aztec/Mesoamerican imagery, specifically the Nahuatl quetzalli, a deity seen as the creator of the world and humanity, associated with wind, rain and vegetation, Mendoza will create a large sculpture that reads “WESTWOOD” for the other plaza, painted in his mural work and inspired by pueblos mágicos (magic towns) in Mexico.

A large, biomorphic sculpture on a concrete pad outside the Denver Health campus. The piece consists of two rounded, lobed forms connected by a curving bridge, covered in bold concentric stripe patterns. The left form graduates from orange and red to dark tones at the arch; the right form features yellow and white concentric circles. A smaller, separate rounded form in light blue and white stripes sits in front. Hospital buildings and a parking lot are visible in the background. — “Moving Forward” by Anthony Garcia

MOVING FORWARD AT DENVER HEALTH

Colorado-based Anthony Garcia installed “Moving Forward” at the main plaza of the Denver Health Campus. The artwork is a meditation on resilience, healing and progress. Defined by a continuous, fluid form, the piece rejects rigid edges in favor of movement—echoing the lived experience of the human body and spirit as they navigate change. Its shape suggests a journey rather than a destination, unfolding gradually and intentionally, much like recovery, growth and transformation.

A mosaic sculpture of a stylized eagle on a colorful tiled pedestal at Joe Martinez Park. The eagle is depicted in a circular sunburst form, with red, teal, and yellow mosaic tiles forming radiating feathers and a bird face at the center. The pedestal is covered in a grid of vertical rectangular tiles in red, orange, yellow, blue-gray, and purple. A colorful mosaic wall is partially visible in the background. — “Naturaleza en el Campo: Eagle/Águila” by Marco Garcia during installation

A mosaic sculpture of a stylized bear on a colorful tiled pedestal at Joe Martinez Park. The bear form faces left and is filled with bold geometric mosaic patterns in teal, red, orange, yellow, and maroon, with a smaller figure nestled against its back. The matching tiled pedestal features vertical stripes of red, orange, yellow, blue-gray, and purple. A bilingual artwork plaque is mounted on the front of the pedestal. — “Naturaleza en el Campo: Bear/Oso” by Marco Garcia during installation

A mosaic sculpture of a stylized deer on a colorful tiled pedestal at Joe Martinez Park, photographed during installation. The deer form faces left with abstract mosaic patterns in red, teal, yellow, and maroon. The pedestal matches the series' striped tile pattern. A park sign and construction materials are visible in the background. — “Naturaleza en el Campo: Deer/Venado” by Marco Garcia during installation

A mosaic sculpture of a stylized bison on a colorful tiled pedestal at Joe Martinez Park, photographed during installation. The bison silhouette is filled with large irregular mosaic fragments in red, orange, and yellow. The pedestal features the series' signature vertical striped tile pattern in warm and cool tones. Yellow caution tape and construction materials are visible in the background, along with another sculpture in the series. — “Naturaleza en el Campo: Bison/Bisonte” by Marco Garcia during installation

MOSAIC MAGIC AT JOE MARTINEZ PARK

Marco Garcia installed “Naturaleza en el Campo,” a series of colorful mosaic sculptures that line the paths of Joe Martinez Park—welcoming visitors to this tribute to a local hero. Watch our “Meet the Art” video about these pieces.

PHASE II AT PACO SANCHEZ PARK

Denver-based Carlos Frésquez will create an art canopy for the circular stage at the park, honoring Francisco “Paco” Sanchez, who launched Denver’s first Spanish-language radio station in 1954. The artwork features a painted stainless-steel disk, approximately 12 feet in diameter, with cutouts depicting the Denver skyline.

ART ON THE HORIZON AT LENA ARCHULETA LIBRARY

Stay tuned for new interior artworks coming to the library in 2026! The call for existing artwork closed on December 31, and the selection process is underway.

A bright cobalt blue steel gateway sign reading 'Villa Park' being reinstalled along a roadside on a sunny day. The sign features decorative cutout patterns along the top edge and landscape imagery including mountains and trees. It is mounted on a red painted concrete base. A flatbed truck and installation tools are visible in the foreground, with a worker nearby. — “Villa Park Gateway” by Gary Sweeney

“VILLA PARK GATEWAY” GETS A FRESH TOUCH

Gary Sweeney’s iconic piece has been refreshed with a newly repainted signature—ready to greet visitors in style! The Public Art team has also been collaborating with the neighborhood, Council Office and other City Agencies to beautify this corner with new mulch and plants, expected this spring.

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 quarterly Public Art newsletter for updates.