July 2026 Highlights: New Installations, Restored Murals and Community Connection

As summer settles over Denver, Public Art has been busy on every front. New artwork is going up at parks, libraries and recreation centers, from handmade mosaics crafted with local students to a curated collection reimagining how art reaches our communities. Established murals are getting refreshed with new coats and protective care, while artists are out in neighborhoods gathering stories and inspiration that will shape work still to come. This roundup captures just a slice of what’s been in motion; there’s always more happening than any single blog post can hold!

New & Upcoming Installations

Flora and Fauna at Central 70 Cover Park

Artist Nicole Banowetz, one of three artists commissioned for the Central 70 Cover Park project, has completed beautiful handmade mosaic tiles depicting the community’s flora and fauna. The border tiles, installed at the end of June, were all done by the Swansea Elementary 3-5 graders that Banowetz worked with last year.

A large mosaic artwork on an exterior wall depicting flora and fauna, including butterflies, moths, bees, a caterpillar and beetles among blue tiled backgrounds and floral clusters, bordered by a colorful strip of small insect and flower tiles. — Handmade mosaic tiles by artist Nicole Banowetz at Central 70 Cover Park, with border tiles created by Swansea Elementary students.

Curating a Collection at the Archuleta Library

The Archuleta Library welcomed a permanent artwork collection in late June. The selection panel for the project partnered with the Public Art team to develop a new plan to install artwork ahead of the traditional two-year timeline. The innovative plan allowed the panel to select from a curated set of existing original artworks. The chosen collection features a diverse group of artists who deeply reflect both the library and the surrounding community. The selected artists include: Kristina Maldonado Bad Hand, Alonzo Ulibarri, Javier Flores, Issac Lucero, Monica Gilles-BringsYellow, Miguel Ortega, Jessica Lee Perry “Jeki” and Julio Mendoza.

A person installs a large circular wood artwork on a library wall, featuring a serpent-like creature with green and red scales curled around a central pyramid design. — A new permanent artwork installed at the Archuleta Library as part of a curated collection featuring artists reflecting the surrounding community.

Artistic Foundation at the Westwood Recreation Center

The construction of the new Westwood Recreation Center is in full swing, and the footing for artist Ratha Sok’s sculpture has been poured. The artwork will be installed at the end of 2026, before the grand opening of the recreation center in April of 2027.

Concept rendering of a tall, teal-toned abstract sculpture with interlocking geometric shapes on a circular plaza in front of the Westwood Recreation Center, with visitors gathered around it.

A round concrete sculpture foundation poured at a construction site, with the partially built Westwood Recreation Center and construction equipment visible in the background. — The foundation for artist Ratha Sok’s sculpture has been poured at Westwood Recreation Center, shown alongside a concept rendering of the completed piece.

Re-Imagining Play and Art at Paco Sanchez Park

The second phase of art was recently completed at Paco Sanchez Park, part of the Re-Imagine Play project, a multi-generational play and activity area designed to encourage creativity, movement, and healthy lifestyles through a mix of traditional playground features, custom structures, and natural landscapes.

Artist Carlos Frésquez installed his piece, “Que Viva Paco”

“The circular canopy sculpture is a representation of Mexican celebration banners and round papel picado. The concentric circles depict the sky, clouds, local buildings, and the ever-changing city of Denver, which Paco Sanchez helped shape. Because the circle has no beginning or end, it represents the revolving nature of our day-to-day existence.”

– Carlos Frésquez

Large yellow letters spelling "PACO" with cutout tunnel holes for climbing, set on a colorful circular play surface with trees and a slide structure in the background.

Underside view of a large circular orange metal canopy sculpture with intricate cutout patterns depicting city buildings and clouds, supported by white poles over a park plaza. — “Que Viva Paco” canopy sculpture by artist Carlos Frésquez at Paco Sanchez Park.

New Art for Rosamond Park

Rosamond Park is up next for new artwork! The community-based selection panel held its kick-off meeting in June to discuss the projects’ goals and expectations. The project RFQ will open in July with the pre-app meeting on July 29 at 5:30 PM.

Community Outreach

Future Art on the 5280 Trail

Public Art staff kicked off the 5280 Public Art Project at a community event on May 21. The 5280 Trail will be a 5.28-mile loop around downtown Denver, connecting neighborhoods and landmarks. The first section to be constructed is on Acoma Street. Stay tuned for more information on where the public art will go!  

Celebrating the Colfax BRT Project with Art, Poetry and Dance

Public Art joined the East Colfax Bus Rapid Transit team and The Fax Partnership in the East Colfax Cultural District for an evening of culture featuring a poetry reading and a lively Latino dance performance at the Syracuse Street Arch Lift Viewing Party on May 26.

Informing Future Art at the High Line Canal Summer Scamper

The Public Art team and selected High Line Canal artist Rachel Slick recently attended the fourth annual High Line Canal Summer Scamper. At this beloved community event, Rachel connected directly with residents to gather valuable input that will actively shape a component of the final project. Rachel was excited to be part of the Summer Scamper and create in-person opportunities for community members to share memories, favorite wildlife sightings, meaningful stories and personal connections to the Canal. We offered a few quick, family-friendly engagement activities at the event itself. Rachel also developed an ongoing online survey so that people who couldn’t attend or who want more time to reflect can still contribute stories and inspiration over the coming months.

A Public Art staff member stands at an outdoor tent booth displaying posters for "The Water Vanes" artwork, with tables of activity materials and a playground visible behind them. — Public Art staff connect with the community at the High Line Canal Summer Scamper, sharing early concepts for “The Water Vanes.”

Restoration/Maintenance/Re-installations

Repairing Plaque Patinas

Located in North Park Hill, the Martin Luther King, Jr. plaques by artist Li Hardison received some well-needed care. The bronze plaques featuring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s profile were cleaned, waxed and had their patina repaired.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. plaques by artist Li Hardison in North Park Hill, freshly cleaned, waxed and patina-repaired.

“The Awakening” by Bimmer Torres is Looking More Awake

Located on the north side of the newly renovated Swansea Recreation Center, “The Awakening” mural by artist Bimmer Torres has recently been restored. Originally created in collaboration with more than 20 Denver Youth Corps (DYC) participants from Ridge View Academy, the mural was repainted by Torres and finished with a protective anti-graffiti coating for protection.

Before and after comparison of a mural section featuring a black sunflower and a white sunflower against a mountain skyline, repainted with a vivid orange, pink and purple rainbow added along the base.

Before and after comparison of the full mural at Swansea Recreation Center, showing a faded, weathered version beside a freshly repainted version with brighter colors throughout.

“The Awakening” by artist Bimmer Torres, repainted with a graffiti-guard coating at Swansea Recreation Center.

The Soul of the Westside Community

The beautiful mural “La Alma” by artist Emanuel Martinez, located at the La Alma Recreation Center, was restored to its original vibrancy. Emanuel Martinez restored it himself, with a grant from the Chicano Mural Project.

“The symbolism in this mural reflects the soul of the Westside community. The sun radiates behind the silhouetted city, while an eagle embraces two female faces, one representing the moon and the other, earth. A contemporary figure portrays the strength of our youth; on his shirt, the Mestizo symbolizes the mixture of Spanish, Indian and Mexican descent. The ancient indigenous figure holds two vessels bearing a constantly burning flame, conveying the vitality of cultural energy. Clutched in the claws of the eagle, a human fetus and skull, symbolizing both life and death. Perched on the braid of the female figures, an outstretched butterfly represents rebirth. Emerging below, an ear of maize signifies fertility and prosperity.”

– Emanuel Martinez

“La Alma” by artist Emanuel Martinez, restored to its original vibrancy at La Alma Recreation Center.

Public Art Collection Care

As part of ongoing efforts to improve coordination, we now have a new general inbox for incoming inquiries for Collection Management topics. This new inbox will auto-direct folks to the damage report form, public art collection resources and Sunny Chat for general information.

Upcoming Public Art Tours

July 26 – City Park Public Art Tour – 10:00 am

August 9 – Downtown Denver Bike Tour- 10:00 am

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.