Art in Public Places – Celebrating 25 Years#
Paint a Piano for Pianos About Town#
Robin Romeyn painting her piano mural in 2020
The program is looking for diversity in artwork styles and concepts, with a preference for emerging artists and new and exciting ideas.
Selected artists will receive an honorarium of $1,000. To apply, artists must submit a letter of intent and concept rendering. The application deadline is 5:00 p.m. MST on Feb. 1.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY TO PAINT A PIANO
Los materiales están disponibles en español.
Sign up to meet one on one with Art in Public Places staff about your submission Wednesday, January 20 or Thursday, January 21, between 2:00 and 6:00 pm.
Staff can review the materials you plan to submit and answer questions. They are not part of the selection committee and can't advise on the likelihood of your design being selected.
Watch a recording of the Virtual Workshop (held January 5) to learn more about applying.
Maple Hill Community Mural#
As part of the Vibrant Neighborhoods Grant Program, artist Kristen Vohs was selected to create a mural on the south wing walls of the Turnberry underpass located on the southeast corner of Turnberry and Richards Lake Roads.
This project is a collaboration between the City of Fort Collins Art in Public Places Program and Neighborhood Services Department, the Maple Hill HOA, and Fort Collins artist Kristen Vohs.
New Art at Willow Street Plaza#
Columns lit at night
In Praise of the Poudre was recently installed in the plaza on the corner of Willow and Linden Streets. Artist Andrew Dufford and Chevo Studios worked with the City of Fort Collins Engineering and Utilities Departments as part of the Art in Public Places Program to develop a series of sculptures that will enliven the plaza and educate visitors about water quality and natural water systems in Fort Collins.
Four undulating granite columns feature relief carvings of the plants, animals, insects and landforms found around, within, and below the Cache la Poudre River – celebrating the elements of a healthy river ecosystem.
Downtown Barrier Murals#
The City of Fort Collins Art in Public Places in partnership with the Engineering, Streets, and Traffic Operation Departments—in collaboration with the Downtown Fort Collins Creative District, and the Jason and Lucy Greer Foundation for the Arts—hired local artists to paint 15 temporary murals on the concrete barriers around outdoor dining areas throughout downtown.
Thanks to Downtown ACE Hardware for their generous donation of paint for the murals.
Pianos About Town#
Pianos About Town is a collaborative effort between the Fort Collins Art in Public Places Program and community partners Bohemian Foundation and the Downtown Development Authority. This exciting project brings together visual art and music for the public to enjoy. We currently in our 10th season! For updates and to share your photos and videos of the pianos in action, please visit us on Facebook.
Help us care for the pianos! If you enjoy playing the pianos, help us protect them by closing the keyboard cover after each use and using the attached tarp to cover the piano in times of bad weather and overnight—Thank you!
Transformer Cabinet Murals#
The Transformer Cabinet Mural Project was started in 2006 as a collaboration between the City of Fort Collins Art in Public Places Program and Utilities Light and Power. Serving as a graffiti abatement program, the murals help lower maintenance costs while adding bright colorful art in unexpected places. The program also helps keep the investment local by utilizing local artists and non-profit groups to paint the cabinets.
Take a Public Art Tour!#
FC Bikes--Bikeway Bingo#
FC Bikes has created a series of five Fort Collins Bikeway Bingo Challenges to explore and learn about Fort Collins’ family-friendly bikeways, parks, natural areas, neighborhoods, and public art.
Complete all 5 and you’ll be able to expertly navigate Fort Collins’ extensive bikeway network! Find them all at: fcgov.com/bicycling/fort-collins-bike-network
The Public Art Bingo Theme linked below features five randomized cards - try them with your friends and family!
Art at the Poudre River Whitewater Park#
The sculpture, titled Heritage Gateway, was recently installed at the Poudre River Whitewater Park along the Poudre Trail across from Whitewater, the wave shelter located on the south bank of the river. Both works were created by Art in Public Places (APP) artist John Davis.
Thanks to support provided by the Poudre Heritage Alliance, Downtown Development Authority and other community donors, visitors to the park can now learn about the history and importance of the Cache la Poudre River, and its long-lasting impacts on agriculture, industry and recreation in Fort Collins.
Art at the Poudre River Whitewater Park#
Whitewater by John Davis is inspired by water rapids and the associated whitewater that is created by the bubbles generated as water crashes against the rocks and boulders. It creates a connection between the overlook plaza and rapids below. The curving “wave” shapes of the structure mimic the waves of water in the rapids of the Cache la Poudre River below.
Art on the Fossil Creek Trail#
Sphere by Stephen Shachtman is inspired by its location near the historic site of the brick kilns and just southwest of the recreation bike trail and railroad track. The oversized sphere made from 903 brick-like pieces of flagstone plays off the scale of the site and the nearby tunnel, appearing to be the same size as the tunnel opening.
Art at Riverside And Mulberry#
Mountain Openings, Colorado artist Robert Tully's sculptures located on the northeast corner of the intersection of Mulberry Street and Riverside Avenue is now illuminated.
It is made up of sculptures ranging from 20 to 6 feet. They can be found in groupings that start on the corner and continue north down Riverside and are inspired by sandstone cliffs in the valley where Highway 14 splits from 287. The sculptures include both man-made and natural elements, combining about 140 tons of local buff sandstone with metal accents. The piece is illuminated at night.
Landscaping will finish the design of the corner this spring.