September 2026 Highlights: New Installations, Open Calls and Restored Classics

Denver Public Art completed new artwork in neighborhoods across the City this past quarter, showcasing the reach and impact of the 1% for Public Art ordinance. A lowrider tribute now stands at Federal and 25th Avenue, and a mural celebrating Globeville’s past, present and future is taking shape at 44th and Broadway. Conservators brought beloved pieces back to their original shine, and a new slate of artist opportunities is opening up in neighborhoods from Sloan’s Lake to Washington Park.

Opportunities

La Raza Park RFQ

We’re now accepting qualifications for a new public art project at La Raza Park, searching for applications whose sculptural artwork will have roots in the people, stories, cultural heritage and lived experiences of the neighborhood, connect the community’s past and its evolving future and complement the existing artworks in the park. The RFQ has a budget of approximately $136,000 and is open to artist(s) residing in the United States. Those with ties to the Northside of Denver are strongly encouraged to apply. Register for a virtual pre-application meeting on Sept. 30 and apply through Oct. 15.

Learn more and apply here.

Upcoming Opportunities

We have a lot of upcoming opportunities going live in the next few months. Keep an eye out on our “For Artists” page for RFQs at:

Sloan’s Lake Boat House – Council District 1

Harvey Park – Council District 2

Stanford and Balsam Parks – Council District 2

Washington Park – Council District 3

Sun Valley – Council District 3

Alameda Avenue Bikeway/Pedestrian/ADA Improvements 10/20 – Council District 7

Hiawatha Davis Recreation Center – Council District 8

City Sidewalk Improvements – Council Districts 1 and 8

New Installations

Pass GO at the Webb Building

Denver Public Art commissioned five artists and artist teams to create site-specific works for the Wellington Webb Municipal Office Building, celebrating the people, work and civic services that shape the City and County of Denver.

Artist Detour recently installed his artwork “CIVIC, the Board Game,” at the Webb building. His piece is a whimsical play on the board game Monopoly but with a City of Denver twist. Located on the fourth floor in the Wellington Webb building, the piece is on view for the public to enjoy.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage

Artists Carlos Fresquez and Spencer Eudaly are wrapping up the installation of “Bajito y Suavecito” at Federal & 25th Avenue. The installation is a beautiful homage to lowrider culture, completed in time for National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Chasing Dreams in an Underpass

Artist Ratha Sok recently designed and painted a mural, “Chasing Dreams,” on the retaining wall for the Iowa Underpass bicycle/pedestrian path, depicting the history and landmarks of the Overland neighborhood. The mural explores the journey of finding your voice while rising above the challenges that often shape our neighborhoods. This piece honors those who keep pushing forward with purpose, proving that with determination, identity and hope, every dream is worth chasing.

Three Arches of the GES Community

A wider view of three brick arches and pillars lined up along a park path, with a pallet of bricks in front and neighborhood buildings in the distance. — “Los Arcos de GES” by Denver artist Joshua Palmeri at Carpio-Sanguinetti Park, with three arches representing Globeville, Elyria and Swansea.

A close view through two red brick arches wrapped with bands of bright green, framing engraved stone pavers set into the ground between them.

Denver artist Joshua Palmeri’s “Los Arcos de GES” is a site-specific public artwork at Carpio-Sanguinetti Park that uses reclaimed brick and painted surfaces to create three arches representing Globeville, Elyria and Swansea. Drawing on the history and identity of Denver’s GES community, the work explores themes of place, belonging and connection, while inviting residents to see the park as a shared space that reflects their community.

The Past, Present and Future in Globeville

A rendering of a colorful mural on the walls of a pedestrian ramp. Against a bright orange background, a line of walking legs moves up the ramp: fringed regalia, jeans and work boots, a lantern, a cane. Dogs, a toad and a rooster appear on the wall below. — A rendering of the mural by artist team Guerilla Gardens at 44th and Broadway, celebrating the people who live in, work in and move through Globeville.

Artist Team, Guerilla Gardens, is creating a large exterior mural at 44th and Broadway that celebrates the diversity of people who live in, work and move through Globeville – past, present and future. The mural is inspired by the ramp and staircase, highlighting how this new connection brings people together, literally and symbolically. Figures representing different ages, abilities and cultural backgrounds will honor the inclusive spirit of the project and neighborhood. Additionally, the artists will offer community paint days, allowing residents to contribute directly to the mural’s creation.

Upcoming Installations

A First Look at Art Coming to Bethesda Park

Artist duo WOWHAUS (Scott Constable and Ene Osteraas-Constable) have completed a preliminary design for “FLOURISH”, a pair of dichroic glass and stainless steel butterfly sculptures headed for Bethesda Park in the University Hills neighborhood in Spring of 2027. Modeled after a Colorado swallowtail and monarch, the two butterflies will rise along a garden path amid native, pollinator-friendly plantings, their laminated glass wings catching sunlight and scattering rainbows of color across the pathway below. The shifting colors of the glass nod to the cultural diversity of the surrounding community and honor the Arapaho (Hinono’eino), Cheyenne (Tsitsista) and Ute (Nunt’zi) peoples on whose homelands Denver sits.

Restoration/Maintenance/Re-Installations

Bringing Art and Community Together through Restoration

Public Art is at its best when it is cared for not only by conservators and city agencies, but also by the community that embraces it. A recent maintenance and conservation project on the “Villa Park Gateway” piece demonstrated the power of that shared stewardship with a collaboration between Denver Arts & Venues Public Art, Denver Parks & Recreation, the Department of Transportation & Infrastructure (DOTI), qualified public art conservation contractors and the Villa Park community.

The conservation work included restoring the sculpture’s signature “Papel Picado” element with a durable marine-grade coating finished with UV and anti-graffiti protection to help preserve the artwork for years to come. The original flagstone base was carefully cleaned, conditioned and regrouted to stabilize and enhance the historic materials.

Re-patina at the National Western Center

A large bronze relief of cattle and a rider on horseback, mounted above a row of red doors. The surface is dark and dull, and the details are hard to see. — “Dominion” by Evelyn Rosenberg at the National Western Complex, before cleaning and re-patination.

The same bronze relief after restoration, with warm browns and whites bringing out the cattle's faces and a rider in a brown jacket and blue jeans. — “Dominion” by Evelyn Rosenberg after cleaning and re-patination.

Stationed over the stockyard doors at the National Western Complex, “Dominion,” by artist Evelyn Rosenberg, was recently cleaned, re-patinated in places and polished. This piece is a central figure during the National Western Complex stock show expo.

How a Chihuly Gets Its Sparkle Back

Mitchell Burdett cleans Dale Chihuly’s “Antique Gold and Aquamarine Chandelier” (2006) in the lobby of the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.

A view looking up at a large blown-glass chandelier of curling amber, green and clear glass forms, glowing under recessed ceiling lights. — Dale Chihuly’s “Antique Gold and Aquamarine Chandelier” (2006) after cleaning.

Denny Park Fine Arts conservator Mitchell Burdett recently cleaned Dale Chihuly’s “Antique Gold and Aquamarine Chandelier” inside the lobby of the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Created in 2006, this sculpture is assembled from hundreds of individually handblown glass elements, making careful cleaning essential to preserving both its brilliance and delicate surfaces.

Each element is shaped over a glass mold, helping distribute its color toward the tip. It also carries unique identifying information, including its production date, annealing number, and color number. This detailed system helps specialists document, identify and care for individual pieces over time.

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.