Art in Public Places
When visiting Vail, Colorado, the visitor is surrounded not only by the natural wonders of the Rockies, but also by the artworks presented by the Art in Public Places program.
Local Listings:
- The Art in Public Places program assembles works of art and displays them in public places in Vail
- Free exhibitions exist throughout town for everyone to enjoy
- Visit Ford Park for viewing some incredible granite sculptures
- See stamped concrete designs at Donovan Pavilion
Overview
Vail’s Art in Public Places program is a cultural program that assembles works of art and displays them in public places so residents and visitors alike can enjoy their aesthetic beauty.
Location/Directions
Vail, Colorado is filled with the art of the Art in Public Places program, from the parks, side streets and parking structures to the playgrounds and pavilions. The coordinator of the program is located at 1309 Elkhorn Drive. As you travel around town, off East Meadow Drive you’ll find Bighorn Park artwork and on East Lionshead Circle you will see the stone sculptures in Ford Park.
Seasons
Art in Public Places is always available, no matter the time of year. You can contact them at 970-479-2344 to get a copy for the current season schedule of tours, art shows and other events.
Fees/Cost
The Art in Public Places’ exhibits, workshops and other events are free of charge.
More Info
The Art in Public Places program sponsors many artworks that decorate the town. In Ford Park, Bighorn Park, Donovan Park and the Donovan Pavilion, the visitor can view steel and granite sculptures, carved wood designs, stamped concrete, a number of artistic bronze sculptures and much more.
Public art exhibitions come throughout the year. From 2010 to 2011 the show will be a Sustainable Art Sled exhibition, with donations from the community of their wooden Flexible Flyers or toboggans that will be decorated by local artists and put on display in various locations in town. The sleds will be sold at the end of the exhibition with proceeds going to fund future art programs in Vail.
Exhibitions from past years have included an art project by a Denver artist with illustrated seven-foot tall panels depicting inter-cultural visions promoting respect and awareness, sculptures of French artist Bernar Venet and steel sculptures by modernist artist George Tobolowsky.
Participating in any of the free guided tours of Vail’s public art collections gives the visitor the opportunity to glimpse most of the aesthetic art on display within the town. Many workshops are also provided, including of metal casting, printmaking, bookbinding and more.