2019: A Year in Review

2019 was a big year for Public Art Services, we wrapped up seven large scale public art installations in four cities and four of those projects just so happened to be in our home base of Denver, CO. Here’s a look back at 2019 and the artists we were fortunate enough to partner with to help bring their creative visions to life.

---

David Zimmer’s Echo

Photo by Public Art Services

In January 2019 David Zimmer’s impressive 13 panel installation Echo made its debut on the exterior wall of the new 16 Chestnut development in Downtown Denver. We started work on this project in 2017 when we were brought on to facilitate the artist selection process and continued overseeing the project through the end of installation working closely with the artist every step of the way. Denver based artist Zimmer created an outdoor installation that is an abstraction of a majestic tree moving in the wind. The image is broken up onto 13 LED panels and reconstructed in a collage style throughout the space. The work evokes the feeling of being in nature, in contrast to its concrete and glass surroundings. The subject matter is a giant oak tree on the outskirts of Denver that Zimmer has been filming intermittently over the last 10 years. The name Echo is meant to evoke the memories that have taken place under and around the tree over the past many years. 

---

Jorge Marin’s Luz de Denver (Light of Denver)

Photo by East West Partners

The same month we wrapped on installation of David Zimmer’s Echo, Jorge Marin’s Luz de Denver (Light of Denver) was installed at The Plaza at Riverfront Park located at 1610 Little Raven St, Denver, Colorado. Luz de Denver is the most recent permanent acquisition for Commons Park and is a replica of the original Wings of the City sculpture that was included as part of a temporary installation of Marin’s work in Riverfront Park in 2016. Marin is well known for his traveling wings sculptures that originate in his studio located in Mexico and are designed for public space around the world as both temporary and permanent installations. The participatory nature of the work encourages viewers to place themselves in the composition, giving the visual illusion of wings. In Marin’s words, “We give you these wings to celebrate your victories, but also to dream and conscientiously reflect your potential as a person.”

---

Kevin Sloan’s The Mischief Makers 

Photo by Public Art Services (left to right: John Grant, Creative Project Manager, Chris Krieg, Muralist, Kevin Sloan, Artist, and Will Krieg, Muralist).

In February of 2019 Kevin Sloan’s The Mischief Makers made its debut on the facade of the parking structure adjacent to the Theo Apartments as part of the Continuum Partners redevelopment of 9th & Colorado in Denver, CO. After we conducted the artist selection process for our clients Continuum Partners, Denver based painter Kevin Sloan was commissioned to create an original work of art for the redevelopment project at  9&CO which reintegrates the former 26-acre University of Colorado School of Medicine campus into the surrounding neighborhood fabric by blending apartments and townhomes with retail, offices and new public green spaces. Sloan’s original painting was enlarged and brought to life as a 65’ x 65’ exterior mural by the father and son muralist team Chris and Will Krieg. Sloan’s work explores the relationship between the natural and human-made world. His paintings, often symbolic, deal with recurring paired themes such as fragility and strength, wonder and sorrow, and loss and resiliency.

---

Larry Kirkland’s Columbia River Watershed

Photo by Craig Collins

In August 2019 Larry Kirkland’s Columbia River Watershed was officially opened to the public as part of the redevelopment of Vancouver’s Water Front. The Columbia River Watershed is an interactive water feature that is both a place to play as well as learn and contemplate the Columbia River, it’s tributaries and the vast land area that makes up its watershed. The Headwaters serves as the starting point of the water feature where water flows over the etched granite surface depicting the Columbia watershed into the pool symbolizing its many tributaries. Each line was hand-cut into the granite surface between rounds of sandblasting to achieve the desired depth and dimension. On the other side of the Headwaters is a bronze casting of a topographic map which displays the source of the Columbia at Lake Columbia in British Columbia and is mounted to a Coast Green Granite slab from Brazil. Encompassing this bronze casting is an essay written by award winning author Teresa Jordan who Kirkland partnered with to try and capture the importance of the Columbia river both to its natural environment and the people who have been sustained by it.

---

Donald Lipski’s The Three Clans

Photo by Donald Lipski

In August of 2019 we wrapped up installation on Donald Lipski’s design for the Columbia Avenue entrance to Penn Treaty Park in Philadelphia entitled The Three Clans. This work of public art pays homage to the three clans of the Lenni Lenape Tribe and Chief Tamanend, with whom William Penn signed the landmark treaty of friendship. The animals featured in this installation (wolf, turkey and turtles) are the animal symbols of the three Lenni Lenape clans. The series of five bronze turtles with light posts on their backs lead the way to the park’s entrance paying tribute to the Turtle Clan who lived in the area and Chief Tamanend who himself was a member. The fiberglass wolf and turkey are seen perched atop light posts installed on the west side of the underpass, one on the north side and one on the south. The fixtures light up at night, serving as a gateway to the park. Lipski’s design to him suggests the meeting of the Old World and the New World, but his hope is that those who interact with the work will find their own meaning as well.

---

Daisy Patton’s Untitled (Picnic with Flowers)

Photo by Public Art Services

In August of 2019 the Structurflex panels were installed completing the installation of Daisy Patton’s largest work to date, Untitled (Picnic with Flowers). This work of public art was the second installation completed for our clients Continuum Partners in 2019 for their redevelopment of the former 26-acre University of Colorado School of Medicine campus at 9th and Colorado in Denver, CO. After conducting the artist selection process for our clients Continuum Partners artist Daisy Patton was commissioned to create an original work of art for the south facade of the parking structure adjacent to the Theo Apartments. The mural portion of Daisy Patton’s installation was completed by father and son muralist team Chris and Will Krieg in January of 2019. Patton’s paintings start from a found photograph that is then enlarged and printed out to life size. She then adds layers of patterns and color to bring the image and the people within it to life. Patton’s work explores the meaning and social conventions of families, little discussed or hidden histories, and what it is to be a person living in our contemporary world. For the project at 9th and Colorado Patton selected an image that would relate with the surrounding neighborhood and historic significance of the site. 

Stay tuned for more updates in regards to our next project for 9&CO with Denver based painter Andrew Huffman.

---

William Matthews’ Los Caballos

Photo by Public Art Services

After opening 2019 with the installation of a Denver based artists work we completed 2019 with the perfect book end working with Denver based painter William Matthews’ on his design for the south entrance to the new Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, TX. Matthews’ created a stunning watercolor painting that captures the spirit and history of the West. The original watercolor painting was translated into an eye catching 63' x 12’ 2” mosaic smalti tile mural that sits above the South entrance of the new 14,000 seat, 230,000 square foot Dickies Arena, adjacent to the Will Rodgers Memorial Campus in Fort Worth, Texas. Each side of the mosaic smalti tile mural is flanked with 12’ 2” tall bronze bas-relief sculpture of a cowboy on one side and a Comanche on the other. The bronze bas-relief sculptures were adapted from Matthews’ original watercolor painting into sculptures by Texas-based artist and Cherokee Nation member Buckeye Blake and then later translated into bronze in Fort Collins, Colorado.

---

Elsa Sroka’s Double Dip

Photo by Public Art Services

We end this post with a work of art that’s installation will be competed in early 2020. In July of 2019 Denver based artist Elsa Sroka’s ceramic tile mural was installed on an exterior wall of Grand Peaks new development project, Spur at Iliff Station Apartments in Aurora, CO. We facilitated the artist selection process for our clients Grand Peaks in early 2019 at which time Elsa Sroka’s work entitled Double Dip was selected for the commission. For several months we worked side by side with Sroka to translate her work into a ceramic tile mural that would ensure the longevity of this work of public art for years to come. In early 2020 the brick work and lighting around the artwork will be installed completing the installation. Stay tuned for project updates.

Thank you to all of our amazing partners who helped to complete these incredible projects in 2019. We look forward to another amazing year ahead full of new and exciting creative challenges. Keep an eye on the In Progress section of our website as we add new projects for 2020 and beyond.

Process in Pictures: William Matthews' Los Caballos

Earlier this month we wrapped on installation of William Matthews’ design for the South entrance to the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, TX. It was a project that was nearly two years in the making and involved multiple fabricators and artists from Colorado, Texas and Mexico. Here’s a quick overview of the fabrication and installation process in pictures showing the transformation of the original watercolor paintings into highly durable, low-maintenance materials that will welcome visitors to the Dickies Arena for many years to come.

Here’s why there are wolf and turkey sculptures on top of Fishtown lampposts...

The Philadelphia Inquirer published an article earlier today that gives great insight into the commissioning and creation of Donald Lipski’s latest work of public art entitled, “The Three Clans” for the Columbia Avenue entrance to Penn Treaty Park in Philadelphia’s Fishtown neighborhood. We wrapped up installation on this project just a couple of weeks ago and it’s incredible to hear the warm response it’s received. Read the article below:

---

Here’s why there are wolf and turkey sculptures on top of Fishtown lampposts

by Anna Orso, Updated: September 3, 2019- 5:00 AM

TYGER WILLIAMS / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

There are some new wild animals in Fishtown. And we’re not talking about the 22-year-olds.

Take a stroll east on Columbia Avenue toward Penn Treaty Park, and as you approach the I-95 overpass, look up. Across the street from each other, two sculptures are perched atop lampposts: one of a wild turkey, the other a white wolf. On the other side of the underpass, you’ll see more. This time, a series of five-foot-long bronze, red-eyed turtles seemingly march toward the park carrying lampposts on their backs.

But alas, wolves, turkeys, and giant turtles are not native to the river wards in the same way as pigeons and, these days, Pomeranians. (Though real wild turkeys have been spotted in recent years in West Philly and the Northeast.)

So what gives?

As it turns out, the life-size sculptures — installed about two weeks ago — are part of a decade-long plan by the Delaware River Waterfront Corp. to beautify dozens of streets that serve as gateways between Philadelphia’s neighborhoods and its waterfront. The animals represent the three clans of the Leni-Lenape, who, according to tradition, forged a friendship with William Penn in 1682 under an elm tree at what is now Penn Treaty Park.

Most important among those animals are the turtles, which pay tribute to a Lenape creation story that tells of how the world was carried on the back of a turtle.

“The history of the Lenape along the waterfront is something that is hugely important, and that’s a story that should be told and is probably not told enough,” said Karen Thompson, director of planning at the DRWC. “With Columbia being the connection to Penn Treaty Park, there is a special and clear line to be drawn to connect these spaces.”

TYGER WILLIAMS / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Five turtle sculptures sit beneath lampposts near the I-95 overpass in Fishtown on East Columbia Ave. They are part of a decade-long plan by the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation to connect Philadelphia neighborhoods with the waterfront.

The process that led to these animal sculptures began in 2011, when the DRWC began plotting to improve the Delaware River waterfront’s connection with city neighborhoods. Chief among those goals was beautifying what the the corporation dubbed “connector streets.” For example, DRWC unveiled a renewed Race Street in 2012, with streetscaping, lighting, and an illuminated installation along the I-95 underpass to better connect the city to the Race Street Pier.

Then, in 2016, DRWC announced the completion of the Spring Garden Street project, which now boasts colorful lighting that brightens the Market-Frankford Line underpass and escorts pedestrians from Northern Liberties to Columbus Boulevard and Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing.

Thompson said two of the next connector streets to see improvements will be Washington Avenue and Frankford Avenue. Both are in the design phase, and DRWC will next work to secure funding for construction.

TYGER WILLIAMS / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

A turkey and a wolf sculpture stand across from each other atop lampposts near the I-95 overpass in Fishtown on East Columbia Ave.

The Columbia Avenue connector project is largely complete, Thompson said, save for a plaque that explains the significance of the sculptures. She said the public art cost about $300,000 and was funded through grants from the William Penn Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Landscaping by Bryan Hanes and the animal sculpture installation — which was approved by the Art Commission in 2013 — was complicated by PennDot’s work on an I-95 ramp in the area and new construction on the block. PennDot’s work wrapped up last year.

“It was thrilling,” said artist Donald Lipski on seeing his work installed after the lengthy process. “I was just as interested in it as I was when I designed it.”

Lipski is a recognized name in the public art world. He lives in New York today, but resided in Philadelphia for about six years until 2012. At the time, his studio was located, of all places, in Fishtown.

COURTESY OF DONALD LIPSKI

Philadelphia-area artist Chris Collins stands with models of two of the seven new animal sculptures in Fishtown.

He felt a special connection with the neighborhood and conceptualized the sculptures, working with local artists and brothers Christopher and John Collins to model the realistic-looking animals. The fiberglass wolf and turkey were fabricated some years ago; Lipski sculpted the bronze turtles this year at a studio in Colorado.

Lipski said there’s something poetic about pairing animals that represent indigenous people with the modern-looking lampposts that light the way. At the time of the signing of the treaty, Penn was a modern man who represented the New World.

“And the Lenape were the old world,” he said. “And there was a coming together.”

TYGER WILLIAMS / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

A wolf and a turkey stand atop lampposts on East Columbia Ave.

Columbia River Watershed Water Feature is Open!

After nearly 5 years in the making Larry Kirkland’s design for the Columbia River Watershed Water Feature officially opened to the public earlier this month. This work serves as the focal point for the newly redeveloped Vancouver Waterfront Park along with Kirkland’s design for the Grant Street Pier. Lacamas Magazine recently published an excellent overview of the project which you can read below:

---

COLUMBIA RIVER WATER FEATURE AT VANCOUVER WATERFRONT PARK OPENS

Vancouver, Washington – The highly anticipated Columbia River water feature at Vancouver Waterfront Park (695 Waterfront Way) officially opened to the public today. 

The interactive art installation was gifted to the City of Vancouver by City Council resolution on Monday, Aug. 5. The Vancouver Parks and Recreation Department will maintain the water feature as it draws locals and visitors to enjoy the city’s waterfront for years to come. 

“I believe that carefully conceived environments can create places of meaning within communities,” said Larry Kirkland, the artist who designed the Columbia River water feature. “The best of public art can challenge, delight, educate and illuminate. But above all, it can celebrate the qualities that make each place unique and can create a sense of civic ownership. This pride of place is a building block for the future of these communities.”

Design and Details
The Columbia River water feature journey begins with the monumental structure called Headwaters. This 12-foot tall and 16-foot wide stone and bronze monolith is oriented north and south to the adjacent Columbia River.  

The east face is a cast bronze relief map of the Columbia Basin. The northern Rocky Mountains, Cascades and Coastal mountain ranges and river valleys are rendered in high relief to be touched and traced by human hands. 

The west face is an engraved stone with a topographic map of the origins of the Columbia, the “Great River of the West.” Water cascades down it in a variable flow, reflecting seasonal changes in the flow of the river. The one-inch deep river flows for 150 feet along a molded riverbed past variable-height stacks of textured granite representing each of the Columbia River’s tributaries. More water flows from between these rocks into the original river. The water is chlorinated and can be waded through and played in by visitors.

Facts about each of the tributaries are engraved on the dry side of each granite grouping. Intermingled with the factual text are quotes from literature that reference water and the flow of rivers. Combined, the facts and writingsmerge into a poetic and contemplative experience. 

Donors to the $3.5 million project are recognized on the side of the Headwaters structure.

Donors are Steve and Jan Oliva, who also played a major role in the development of the Vancouver Waterfront, as well as the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust. Other key donors are Steve and Jo Hansen, Al and Sandee Kirkwood, Barry Cain, Alvin Charles Berg, Mary Jane Berg, Susan Lynn Berg, Jim and Shirley Johnson, The Columbian, Dean and Kristin Kirkland Family, Marilyn Denham, and Kenneth E. and Eunice M. Teter.

“We’re really happy to have this water feature built,” said Jan Oliva. “This entire Vancouver Waterfront project has been in the works for 12 years, and there are so many good, wonderful people here in Vancouver. Larry Kirkland is the artist and John Grant (John Grant Projects) is the one who built the fountain. It’s designed to show the inlets of the Columbia flowing into it, and the ocean is represented at the end. 

“It’s going to be great for little kids. Since we’re involved in the whole waterfront development this is a key piece that is going to the city from the waterfront development group. We love what’s happening here because we feel it’s helping the whole area. There’s a great walking loop that connects us to the land bridge and the Fort Vancouver Historic Site. It’s a good thing, I’m just happy and pleased with it.”

Design and Details About the Columbia River Water Feature

• $3.5 million gift to the City of Vancouver, accepted by City Council resolution on August 5, 2019, from Columbia Waterfront, LLC.

• The water is chlorinated and can be waded through and played in by visitors.

• The Columbia River water feature journey begins with the monumental structure called Headwaters.

• This 12-foot tall and 16-foot wide stone and bronze monolith is oriented north and south to the adjacent Columbia River.

• The east face is a cast bronze bas relief map of the Columbia Basin. The northern Rocky Mountains, Cascades and Coastal mountain ranges and river valleys are rendered in high relief.

• The west face is an engraved stone with a topographic map of the origins of the Columbia River.

• Water cascades down it in a variable flow, reflecting seasonal changes in the flow of the river.

• The one-inch deep river flows for 150 feet along a molded riverbed past variable-height stacks of textured granite representing each of the Columbia River’s tributaries.

• Facts about each of the tributaries are engraved on the dry side of each granite grouping. Intermingled with the factual text are quotes from literature that reference water and the flow of rivers.

• Donors to the $3.5 million project are recognized on the side of the Headwaters structure.

McKeanSmith is one of the early tenants at the Vancouver Waterfront. Learn more about them here:https://lacamasmagazine.com/2019/07/mckeansmith-law-firm-expands-into-murdock-vancouver-waterfront-tower.html

The Shape of Things

Donald Lipski’s creative practice is deeply rooted in a lifetime fascination with everyday objects, often discarded by others and discovered and re-contextualized by the artist. These objects begin to work together and find their potential when paired and grouped together into assemblages. Most notably his installation entitled Gathering Dust, comprised of thousands of tiny sculptures pinned to the wall, was first exhibited at New York's Artists Space in 1978, and months later at The Museum of Modern Art as part of their Project series. Since 1993 Lipski has been increasing the scale of these assemblages in the context of public art, furthering an artistic practice developed through the exploration and experimentation with items typically viewed as utilitarian. We’ve been fortunate to work with Lipski on numerous projects over the years and it’s always inspiring to see his creative process unfold.

In a recent article for Glass Quarterly Magazine Eve Aaron perfectly captures Lipski’s excitement when discussing his artistic practice and how it relates to the viewer.

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

View fullsize

Meet "The Mischief Makers"

Thanks to Denver Life Magazine for their recent feature on Denver based artist Kevin Sloan’s first work of public art entitled, The Mischief Makers. We had the pleasure of overseeing this project on behalf our clients over at Continuum Partners as they continue to work on their redevelopment project to reintegrate the former 26-acre University of Colorado School of Medicine campus into the surrounding neighborhood fabric by blending apartments and townhomes with retail, offices and new public green spaces. This article gives great insight into the process of public art selection and gives a great overview of all the work that went into this project.

Kevin Sloan’s “The Mischief Makers”, 2018. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Stay tuned for more updates on artist Daisy Patton’s addition to the 9CO site. 

Click here to read the full article.

Public Art: Where to Start?

As an artist it can be overwhelming to imagine translating your studio work into public art. Here are a few tips to help get your creative gears turning.

Tip One: Determine what opportunities are right for you. CaFÉ and CODAworx are great resources for artists. These websites are updated regularly with RFQs (Request for Qualifications) and some of the opportunities are geared towards artists who have not yet completed their first work of public art. Read the call carefully, if a requirement is having completed two previous works of public art and you haven’t completed your first yet, it’s not the right fit. Connect with your local Public Arts Organization to learn more about opportunities in your area. If you are in the Denver area, Denver Arts and Venues is an excellent resource, they post opportunities and host various events through out the year geared towards educating artists about the Public Art selection process.

Pictured: Denver painter, Kevin Sloan’s original work enlarged by local mural painters for our client Continuum Partners’ new development at 9th and Colorado in Denver. This is Sloan’s first work of public art and largest work to date.

Tip Two: Research materials. So you’re a painter, that doesn’t mean you’re limited to only work with paint at a scale you are comfortable with. When Grand Peaks reached out to us to help them integrate public art onto an exterior wall we knew we needed to work with durable materials that could stand the test of time and stand up to Denver’s intense sun and fluctuating temperatures. Denver painter Elsa Sroka proposed a playful and imaginative composition that we had translated into ceramic tiles, increasing the longevity of the work while allowing Sroka to scale her work up for her first public art project without having to paint on a monumental scale.

Pictured: Public Art Services Team with Artist Elsa Sroka after unpacking 387 ceramic tiles that will soon be installed on the exterior wall of Grand Peaks’ new development project, Spur at Iliff Station, coming to Aurora in Summer 2019.

Tip Three: You don’t have to do it all! This is extremely important for artists to remember. There are trained professionals out there to assist in the creation of your work. Dream big! We work with skilled fabricators and engineerings through out the US and abroad who can help bring your creative vision to life. All you have to do is come up with the idea and we can help with the rest.

Pictured: Donald Lipski’s SPOT installed at NYU Langone's new Hassenfeld Children's Hospital in New York in Summer 2018. We led a team of talented fabricators, engineerings, lighting designers and artists to help bring Lipski’s monumental vision to life.

What are your burning questions surrounding public art? Leave a comment below to start a discussion.

William Matthews Project Announcement

We are very excited to announce an upcoming project we’ve been working on with Denver based painter William Matthews. Best known for his depictions of the American West, Matthews is a skilled watercolor artist whose work appears in many private and public collections including the Museum of the American West in Los Angeles, the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City and the Denver Art Museum, just to name a few.

Creative Project Manager, John Grant on site with the fabricators in Cuernavaca.

Public Art Services, Creative Project Manager John Grant and Matthews just returned from a trip to Cuernavaca to check in on the progress of a massive mosaic tile mural reproduction of Matthews original watercolor painting.

The talented artisans behind the creation of this mosaic tile mural.

Each tile is individually selected and cut by hand using special hammers. A life size reproduction of the work is used as a template to guide the skilled artisans during the creation of the mural.

A detail of the mosaic tile mural.

Once completed this 63' x 12’ mosaic tile mural will be installed over the South entrance of the new 14,000 seat, 230,000 square foot Dickies Arena, adjacent to the Will Rodgers Memorial Campus in Fort Worth, Texas. When installed, bronze bas-relief sculptures, translated from Matthews original watercolors, will flank both sides of the mosaic tile mural.

William Matthews with the talented team of artisans working on his mosaic tile mural.

This project is a great example of translating an artists preferred medium into a durable material that is both visually stunning and will stand the test of time as part of an outdoor installation. Check back for more updates to come on this project and visit our completed projects section to see how we worked with Matthews in 2016 to translate his work into a beautiful woven tapestry for the Country Club Towers in Denver.

William Matthews with a 12’ clay rendering for the bronze bas-relief sculpture.

If are you in the Denver area, join us Thursday March 7th from 4pm-7pm at William Matthews Studio for a sneak peek at the 12’ clay renderings for the bronze bas-relief sculptures.

Vancouver Water Feature Update

The redevelopment of the Vancouver Waterfront Park is centered around making the waterfront accessible to the surrounding community for the first time in 100 years. The Waterfront Park spans 7-acres and connects the entire 20 block development with spaces for the public to relax and enjoy the waterfront view. In September of 2018 Larry Kirkland’s design for the Grant Street Pier opened to the public and has since received some well deserved recognition. With the Grant Street Pier now complete we turn our attention to the next phase of the project, Kirkland’s design for a Water Feature with a focus on education and exploration.

Digital Rendering courtesy of Michael Mowry

Kirkland’s design for the Water Feature serves as a community gathering place that will educate and inspire. A large granite wall at one end of the Water Feature features a bronze topographic map of the Columbia River Watershed showing park visitors how water affects their environment. The water will flow through and around marble slabs stacked and engraved with significant quotes about water in celebration of this waterway and our connection to this vital element. 

Digital Rendering courtesy of Michael Mowry

Last year we traveled to Carrara, Italy to check in on the progress of the massive marble slabs being sliced and engraved as per the designs exact specifications. Since then the marble has been delivered to the work site and the installation team has begun placing them.

Photo courtesy of Larry Kirkland

Check back for more updates on this project and make sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook for regular project updates.

Donald Lipski's The Aviators

The Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport recently unveiled Donald Lipski’s The Aviators as part of their newly redesigned Terminal 3. Although we wrapped up installation for this project back in November we had to keep things under wraps until the new terminal was officially open.

Photo courtesy of Donald Lipski.

The newly-revamped terminal, which was recently re-named after John McCain, opened January 7th, 2019. Cindy McCain, wife of the late Arizona senator, was in attendance at the press conference and had this to say about Lipski’s design, "The aviators up there are the best. I can say, John would've loved that."

Photo courtesy of Donald Lipski.

The Aviators, consists of three parts: an enormous pair of mirrored aviator sunglasses measuring 25’ x 9’ and weighing in at 2,000 lbs, which hover in front of a 90’ wide oil-on-canvas painting of a sky with clouds, which is framed in a traditional wooden frame, which houses lighting.

Photo courtesy of Donald Lipski.

It was a pleasure as always working with Donald Lipski and our wonderful team of collaborators to bring this work to life. Congratulations Donald! Click here to learn more about this project.

2018: A Year in Review

2018 was a big year for Public Art Services, we wrapped up seven large scale public art installations spread across two countries and seven cities and we began work on several exciting projects to come in 2019. Here’s a look back at 2018 and the artists we were fortunate enough to partner with to help bring their creative visions to life.

---

Donald Lipski’s SPOT

Photo by George Etheredge for The New York Times

In May of 2018 Donald Lipski’s SPOT, an already iconic 2 1/2 story tall Dalmatian balancing a real Prius taxi cab on its nose, was unveiled at NYU Langone's new Hassenfeld Children's Hospital in New York. Lipski wanted to make something so astounding it would distract even those arriving for the most serious procedures, and so lovable that young patients coming back again and again with chronic conditions would see SPOT as an old friend. "I like to think that the parents, the doctors, the nurses, the staff and the neighbors, will all be smitten by this playful, heroic young dog doing the impossible. Art has actual healing power," says Lipski when describing the 2 1/2 story tall Dalmatian balancing a taxi cab on it's nose. The Hassenfeld family, which started the Hasbro toy company, were major donors for the newly constructed hospital which influenced Lipski's thinking, "I wanted it to be about toys and play in some way." 

---

Catherine Widgery’s Woven Light

Photo by Eve Chayes Lyman

In May 2018 Catherine Widgery's Woven Light was inducted into Denver’s Public Art Collection. Located in Northfield's Uplands Park in Stapleton, CO, Woven Light is an outdoor room; you are inside and outside at the same time and the shadows, light and projected color make you more conscious of the sun and the breeze than if you were standing in the open. When seen from the outside, the dichroic glass between the slats reflects the sky and surrounding trees. Inside is like being in a kaleidoscope of moving colored lights on the darkened interior as the sun shifts angles. We can look through the openings or through the glass that changes the color of the landscape like a lens. Endlessly changing patterns of crisscrossing shadows and reflected light within and on the ground dematerialize the structure and make a rich shadow on the ground extending the impact of the art beyond its physical boundaries. 

---

Donald Lipski’s The Canoes 

Photo by John Grant

In August of 2018 Donald Lipski unveiled his design for the pedestrian overlook on the new Lesner Bridge in Virginia Beach. It is a freestanding sculpture consisting of a stainless steel catenary arch supporting 10 canoes arranged in a star pattern, with a delicate filigree of cut out patterns. Lipski came up with the canoe design after learning that Adam Keeling, who owned a plantation nearby in the 1600s, and a group of others, dug a trench wide enough for a canoe to cross a sandbar between the Lynnhaven River and the Chesapeake Bay. A storm with high tides widened the ditch that became the Lynnhaven Inlet.

---

Larry Kirkland’s Grant Street Pier

Photo by Craig Collins

In September 2018 Larry Kirkland’s Grant Street Pier in Vancouver, WA was opened to the public. Kirkland’s design features a mast intended to mirror a sailboat passing along the Columbia River. The Pedestrian Wharf is suspended  over the Columbia as a cable stay structure. Installation is currently underway for Kirkland’s design for the Columbia Basin Water Feature constructed from massive engraved marble blocks and cast bronze detailing. Stay tuned for more details to come in 2019.

---

Donald Lipski’s The Nest

Photo by Donald Lipski

In November of 2018 we wrapped up not one but two Donald Lipski installations, once of which was The Nest for Calgary’s spectacular new 330,000 sq. ft. Seton Recreational Facility. Donald Lipski created a nine foot diameter acrylic “nest” with three flocks of life-sized hawks, owls and herons flying to it, each bringing a new branch for the nest. The nest was built in Denver, CO and the birds were brilliantly sculpted by Christopher Collins in Pennsylvania. We’ll be sharing more info later in the month in regards to the other Lipski installation we wrapped up this past November.

---

Matthew Geller’s As Rose As Rain

Photo by Allison Moix of Stellar Propeller Studio

In November 2018 Matthew Geller’s interactive sculpture As Rose As Rain was unveiled at the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind in Colorado Springs. The circular bench seats up to a dozen people who can rock and sway on the bench that is supported by four large compression springs. The dynamics of compression springs and their uneven spacing means the structure responds differently depending on where one sits and how many people are sitting on the bench. The artwork’s sloped canopy includes nine translucent colored polycarbonate skylights that rock along with the bench. On sunny days, the canopy’s shadow and color projections on the ground move in sync with the bench. The canopy also creates a passive water feature as it collects rainwater (or snow) that drains through a hole and splashes on the ground into a circular gravel-filled drain.

---

December 2018

Photo by Daisy Patton

In December of 2018 our focused shifted to local, Denver based artists as mural painters began work on two large scale reproductions of works by Denver based painters Daisy Patton and Kevin Sloan for Continuum Partner’s new development at 9th and Colorado. Creative Project Manager, John Grant traveled to Mexico City as part of an upcoming installation with Denver based artist William Matthews and installation wrapped for a new work by Denver based artist David Zimmer which will be unveiled in downtown Denver soon.

Thank you to all of our amazing partners who helped to complete these incredible projects in 2018. We look forward to another amazing year ahead full of new and exciting creative challenges.

PBS Curate 757

Congratulations to Donald Lipski on his feature in the most recent episode of the PBS program Curate 757. Check out the full episode below to get a behind the scenes look at the installation of "The Canoes" on the Lesner Bridge in Virginia Beach, installed in July 2018. Along with our talented team we were able to bring Donald's incredible vision to life. If you're curious about how these works come to be, this is a great overview of all the behind the scenes work that goes into the making of a work of public art. Click here for more information on this installation.

3 Outdoor Art Shows and One Trusty Dog (With Tricks!)

Donald Lipski’s “Spot,” at the Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, features a 24-foot-tall Dalmatian balancing a taxi (yes, that's a real New York City cab) on its nose. Photo Credit George Etheredge for The New York Times

Thank you to Nancy Princenthal of the New York Times for including Donald Lipski’s “Spot” in their look at outdoor artwork around New York City. Read the excerpt below.

“‘Spot’ invokes a couple of generations of animated films starring anthropomorphic cars, as well as even more familiar children’s movies featuring dogs, specifically “101 Dalmatians.” Jeff Koons’s giant floral puppy is somewhere in the mix, too. 

Mr. Lipski, a veteran public artist with an acute sense of materials, purpose and place, is canny about all these references. But this colossal canine (made with the assistance of the realist sculptor Chris Collins) is uniquely irresistible. Its eyes bright, stance firm, tail curled happily and ears trustingly down, it seems ready to hold this impossible balancing act forever. 

Mr. Lipski has said that besides wanting this work to be playful, he intended it “to have assets we hope to find in our doctors: focus, confidence, patience and sweetness.” At the same time, “Spot” opens a little door in the real world, wormholing straight to the joyful absurdity of a happy kid’s dream life, a destination that never gets old.”

Click here to read the full article.

The Canoes pays tribute to Virginia Beach's past

Donald Lipski's newest work of Public Art was installed last month in Virginia Beach. The Canoes is located at the pedestrian overlook on the new Lesner Bridge in Virginia Beach. It is a freestanding sculpture consisting of a stainless steel catenary arch supporting 10 canoes arranged in a star pattern, with a delicate filigree of cut out patterns.

Lipski came up with the canoe design after learning that Adam Keeling, who owned a plantation nearby in the 1600s, and a group of others, dug a trench wide enough for a canoe to cross a sandbar between the Lynnhaven River and the Chesapeake Bay. A storm with high tides widened the ditch that became the Lynnhaven Inlet.

Click here to read the full article The Virginia-Pilot published about The Canoes. Click here to view more images of this project. 

The Dedication of 'Woven Light'

Last week we gathered with community members and DPS students to celebrate the dedication of Catherine Widgery's newest work of public art, Woven Light, as it was welcomed into the Denver Public Art Collection. Located in Denver's Northfield Community at Uplands Park (5007 Willow Street), this interactive work of art encourages exploration of the structure and how it relates to it's surroundings, specifically the natural light.

Catherine was on hand to talk about her vision for this work, answer questions and sign autographs for the students. Watch the video clip below to see what happens when 30 elementary school students descend on Woven Light.

In the artist's words, "Woven Light is an outdoor room; you are inside and outside at the same time and the shadows, light and projected color make you more conscious of the sun and the breeze than if you were standing in the open."

"When seen from the outside, the dichroic glass between the slats reflects the sky and surrounding trees.  Inside is like being in a kaleidoscope of moving colored lights on the darkened interior as the sun shifts angle. We can look through the openings or through the glass that changes the color of the landscape like a lens.  Endlessly changing patterns of crisscrossing shadows and reflected light within and on the ground dematerialize the structure and make a rich shadow on the ground extending the impact of the art beyond its physical boundaries."

"Woven Light is a shady refuge from the intensity of the prairie light. The angle of the slats will always cast shadow somewhere in the structure no matter where the sun.  Seating along the curved walls inside encourages people to stay and ponder the light and space. Woven Light is a structure through which we discover the beauty that surrounds us: the sky, mountains in the distance, sunlight and leaves on the nearby trees moving in the wind."

Thank you to everyone who made it out in celebration of this stunning work of public art. We look forward to revisiting this work for years to come. If you are in the Denver area make sure to plan a visit. 

Grant Street Pier Time Lapse Video

A truly awe inspiring time lapse video of the installation of Larry Kirkland’s recently completed design for the Grant Street Pier in Vancouver, WA. Kirkland’s design features a mast intended to mirror a sailboat passing along the Columbia River. The 1:15 video captures the nearly two year long installation of this massive work of public art. The Pier will be open to the public later this Fall. Still underway, Kirkland’s design for the neighboring Columbia Basin Water Feature. Thank you to Michael Mowry for his work on this project, it’s always a pleasure to collaborate with such a talented Denver based creative.

A City of Vancouver project. Video shot by Lioneye Aerials.

Meet SPOT!

Installation is currently underway in NYC for Donald Lipski's most recent work of public art. 'SPOT!' now lives at the NYU Langone's new Hassenfeld Children's Hospital. Donald Lipski has designed a sculpture sure to capture the hearts and imaginations of the patients and families who enter this new state of the art facility. Lipski wanted to make something so astounding it would distract even those arriving for the most serious procedures, and so lovable that young patients coming back again and again with chronic conditions would see SPOT! as an old friend. "I like to think that the parents, the doctors, the nurses, the staff and the neighbors, will all be smitten by this playful, heroic young dog doing the impossible. Art has actual healing power," says Lipski when describing the 2 1/2 story tall Dalmatian balancing a taxi cab on it's nose. Click here to read more about this project. 

Special thanks to everyone who made this project possible:

FAST Corp, Nick Geurts and Ryan Elmendorf of Yetiweurks Art + Engineering, Christopher Collins, Jamie Powell and his team at Maaco, Dynamite Graphic, a team of riggers and installers from Crozier Fine Arts, led by Susie Parker, Katherine Meeham the Manager of NYU’s Public Art Program and Collection and many more. 

Behind the Scenes Peek at SGF in Carrara

John recently traveled to Carrara, Italy to check in on the progress of an upcoming project in the works with Larry Kirkland. Carrara is well known for the white and blue-grey marble that is quarried there alongside the Carrione River. SGF Sculpture & Design has been realizing works in marble, granite and other stones for international artists, architects and designers since 1973. Their facility fabricates large scale sculpture and also offers studio space and assistance to artists who prefer to work on site. Here's John's photo journal from his recent trip, enjoy!

Single Wire Squaring and Slabbing Machine

Artist Studio Space

Marble Quarry

Closing the Books on 'Woven Light'

Installation for Catherine Widgery's 'Woven Light' wrapped up earlier this month. Thanks to the amazing team at JunoWorks and Cody Moore for all their hard work on this project. 

"Woven Light is an outdoor room; you are inside and outside at the same time and the shadows, light and projected color make you more conscious of the sun and the breeze than if you were standing in the open. When seen from the outside, the dichroic glass between the slats reflects the sky and surrounding trees. Inside is like being in a kaleidoscope of moving colored lights on the darkened interior as the sun shifts angle."

"We can look through the openings or through the glass that changes the color of the landscape like a lens. Endlessly changing patterns of crisscrossing shadows and reflected light within and on the ground dematerialize the structure and make a rich shadow on the ground extending the impact of the art beyond its physical boundaries. Woven Light is a shady refuge from the intensity of the prairie light. The angle of the slats will always cast shadow somewhere in the structure no matter where the sun.  Seating along the curved walls inside encourages people to stay and ponder the light and space. Woven Light is a structure through which we discover the beauty that surrounds us: the sky, mountains in the distance, sunlight and leaves on the nearby trees moving in the wind." Text from Catherine Widgery: widgery.com

If you are in the Denver area you can experience ‘Woven Light’ at the Northfield Uplands Park in Stapleton.

Calgary Update

This is internationally recognized sculptor Chris Collins finishing up details on the bird sculptures prior to having them cast in fiberglass. For more info on this Donald Lipski project click here.