Thornton Public Art

Public Art Collection

Visit Artwork Archive to view Thornton's public art collection including sculptures and murals.

Public art enhances public parks and buildings across the city. Art can be seen at City parks, recreation centers, pools, and transit stations. Different State and local sources fund public art, including the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD).

Public art is sometimes called "civic art". It is owned by the City, and is on City property. Public art can be temporary, can be designed to last a few years, or can be designed to last for decades!

Businesses are encouraged to add art to help beautify the city. Shops, hotels, offices, warehouses, and other private properties can choose to add murals, sculptures, and other artistic features.

For safety reasons, there are some places where art can't be installed. This includes transformers (electrical boxes) owned by Xcel Energy and United Power.

Contact the Public Art Coordinator for more information: Erica.Schmitt@ThorntonCo.gov.

Public Art is located in the Office of Economic Development.

Public Art Process

New public art is made specifically for Thornton and is one of a kind. Artists apply through a fair and open competition or "call for artists." The selection of artists is a transparent process that is driven by the community.

Artist Application: Public art opportunities or "calls for artists" are posted online on Call for Entry. The opportunities are also publicized through City newsletters and social media channels. Details about the goals, timeline, and budget are available in the call for artists.

Early-career and experienced public artists are welcome to apply to Thornton's calls for artists. Applicants are encouraged to work with other artists, fabrication studios, engineers, or businesses to create successful projects. Partnerships can help fill in gaps in experience or skills. Working with partners helps ensure that structural engineering, manufacturing, transportation of the art, and installation meet all standards for safety, durability, and timely completion.

Applications on Call for Entry require submitting photos of comparable pieces that the artist already completed. The application may also require short written statements about the artist's background, their connection to Thornton, or their interest in this specific public art project.

The artist applications do not require or accept concept designs.

The City does not accept art submissions or purchase artwork outside of the competitive public art process.

First Review - Artist Portfolios: A volunteer Public Art Review Panel forms for each public art project. The panel includes Thornton residents, business owners, educators, artists, and individuals with personal or professional interest in public art. The Public Art Review Panel is organized by the City's Public Art Coordinator, who serves as a moderator. City staff to not serve on the Public Art Review Panel.

A new Public Art Review Panel forms for each public art project. To learn more, visit the Volunteer Thornton webpage.

The Public Art Review Panel looks at submissions that were received in response to the call for artists. The panel may consider the materials, style, and size of the artists' previous pieces, and any experience or qualifications that could be relevant. The panel scores artist submissions and selects up to three artists or teams of artists as "finalists." The finalists are paid an honorarium to create design proposals, budgets, and their projected timeline for completion.

If no qualified artists are identified, the panel may recommend reopening the application for submissions from additional artists. This is uncommon.

Second Review - Artist Proposals: The finalists present original design proposals created specifically for the call for artists. The Public Art Review Panel considers each design and may ask clarifying questions, but does not request changes to the proposed art. The top design proposal is identified based on factors including:

Artistic quality and feasibility
Ability to meet the project goals
Ability to meet project deadlines within budget

The Public Art Review Panel's recommendation is submitted to the Thornton Arts, Sciences, and Humanities Council (TASHCO) at the board's monthly meeting. TASHCO votes whether to recommend the project to City Council.

The TASHCO recommendation is presented to City Council at a public meeting. City Council votes whether to approve the proposed art.

Upon City Council approval, the project moves forward to contracts. Artist work may begin after a contract and appropriate insurance is in place.

Public art projects take two to three years to complete. At any given time, there are many projects in various phases of planning, design, construction, installation, and maintenance. Some projects require more time due to design complexity, supply chain issues, contractor and artist availability, and weather conditions.

A typical public art timeline is:

Year 1:
- Identify the location for new art. This includes coordinating with construction, renovations, or planned repairs at City-owned parks, open spaces, or buildings.
- Identify the type of art (3D or 2D) and whether the art will be temporary or permanent. Preferred materials may also be identified for maintenance, longevity, and safety at the selected location.
- Post a call for artists (RFQ).
- Community and stakeholder engagement.
- Public Art Review Panel scores artist portfolio submissions, solicits design proposals from the top artists, and identifies the top artist for the project.
- Submit top artist's proposal to the TASHCO board.
- Submit TASHCO board recommendation to City Council for approval. (May occur in Year 2 - dependent upon City Council schedule.)
Year 2:
- Artist goes under contract.
- Artist hires a licensed engineer for structural designs (3D art).
- City reviews engineering.
- City coordinates with artist to ensure artist carries appropriate insurance and that any contractors who are doing work on City-owned property are licensed.
- Art fabrication begins.
- Sculpture foundations or bases are installed by artist.
Year 3:
- Art is installed.

Recent Projects

Public art projects take two to three years to complete. At any given time, there are many public art projects in various phases of planning, review, design, construction, installation, and maintenance.

Recent projects:

Computer rendering of cactus sculpture with human to scale.

"Resilience in Bloom"

"Resilience in Bloom" is a 14' cactus sculpture installed in Pecos Park. The sculpture celebrates the history and heritage of our Hispanic community. It was created by Colorado artist Bimmer Torres. The surrounding landscaping will be updated throughout 2027.

The sculpture and murals have deep symbolism. See photos and learn more on Artwork Archive: www.artworkarchive.com/pieces/resilience-in-bloom-2026

Installed: January 2026.
Dedicated: October 8, 2026.

Three women work on cleaning a sculpture of a woman.

Art Maintenance

The work doesn't end when a sculpture is installed or a mural is painted - there's always maintenance and repairs to happening behind the scenes!

Sometimes animals, trees, or the weather damages art. Sometimes humans accidentally or intentionally damage art. Most maintenance isn't repairing vandalism or unexpected damages, though.
Maintenance is usually routine care to prevent bigger issues as art gets older.

This year's maintenance includes:

Removing graffiti from a mural.
Cleaning and touching up painted sculptures.
Repairing one sculpture and attaching it to a new cement base.
Routine bronze sculpture care. This includes washing, heating, waxing, and hand-polishing the sculptures. This year's work included sculptures at City Hall, Fire Station #2, Thorn Creek Golf Course, Carpenter Park, and other parks.

Computer rendering of Thornton Parkway in the day.

Thornton Parkway - Median Lights

This is an Infrastructure project that included decorative lighting. It is not commissioned Public Art.

To learn more about Infrastructure, please visit the Public Works webpage.