Thornton Public Art

Public Art Collection

Thornton's public art enhances outdoor gathering places and interiors of city buildings. Public art can be seen at recreation centers, parks, RTD transit stations, and other public facilities. There are approximately 250 pieces in the collection, including sculptures, paintings, and photographs.

Visit Artwork Archive to view Thornton's collection.

Public art is funded by various State and local sources.

Public Art Process

The process of selecting artists is transparent and driven by the community. The Public Art Subcommittee provides recommendations to the Thornton Arts, Sciences & Humanities Council (TASHCO). Upon TASHCO approval, the proposed art goes before Thornton City Council for final approval.

Thornton strives to build a diverse and engaging collection of public art that helps establish the city as innovative and exciting.

This process has several steps. Community review panel volunteers donate their time to score each applicant and narrow down their selection to one artist/team that can meet the scope of the project.

Artist Application: Public art opportunities are posted online on Call for Entry and are publicized through City newsletters and social media channels. The project goals, timeline, and budget are available on Call for Entry. Artist applications require photos of comparable pieces and short statements about how the artist will meet Thornton's goals for the project. Artists are not required to submit concept designs unless they are selected as a finalist for the project. Finalists receive an honorarium to compensate for their work on concept designs.

The City cannot accept art submissions outside of the competitive public art process.

First Review - Artist Portfolios: Community members and TASHCO board members form a volunteer public art committee. The committee meets in-person approximately twice a year to review artist submissions. To learn more or to sign up for future volunteer opportunities, visit the Volunteer Thornton webpage.

The volunteer panel reviews artist materials submitted through Call for Entry and identifies up to three artists or teams of artists ("finalists") who are deemed most qualified for the project. The finalists are notified and provided an honorarium to create design proposals, budgets, and their projected timeline for the project.

If no qualified artists are identified in the first review, the panel may recommend reopening the Call for Entry, or may direct that City staff change elements of the project. This is uncommon.

Second Review - Artist Proposals: The finalists present their design proposals to a volunteer committee. The committee reviews designs as presented and asks clarifying questions, but does not request modifications or 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 volunteer 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.

Most 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 may include coordinating with construction, renovations, or planned repairs at a City park, open space, or building.
- Identify the type of art (3D or 2D). Preferred materials may also be identified for maintenance, longevity, and safety at the selected location.
- Post a call for artists (RFQ).
- Reviewing artist portfolios, soliciting design proposals from the top artists, and select the top artist/team for the project.
- Submit top artist/team'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).
- Artist begins work on fabricating the art.
Year 3:
- Art is installed.

Current Projects

Most 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.

The following projects are under construction:

Computer rendering of Thornton Parkway in the day.

Thornton Parkway - Median Project

This is an Infrastructure project incorporating artistic lighting and is not commissioned Public Art.

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

This project removes and reconstructs the Thornton Parkway median from the I-25 interchange to Grant Street. The improved aesthetics include decorative pillar-shaped lights made of weathering steel (also known as COR-TEN steel). LED lights inside the pillars will provide a pleasant glow. The pillars are an off-the-shelf product purchased from a company called Streetlife.

The median project also includes new planter beds, median curb and gutters, electrical connections, and a new irrigation system. Landscaping upgrades will be planted after the electric meter is set so trees and shrubs can be irrigated.

The Thornton Parkway Median Project has an expected completion of late July or early August 2025.

Computer rendering of cactus sculpture with human to scale.

Hispanic History and Heritage: "Resilience in Bloom"

"Resilience in Bloom" is a sculpture of a cactus or "nopal" plant with flowers, cactus fruits, stylized spines, and painted murals. The sculpture will be installed in the northeast side of Pecos Park.

The sculpture and murals are by Colorado artist Bimmer Torres.

The project has an expected completion of October 2025.

Thornton Public Art

Public Art Collection

Public Art Process

Selecting an Artist

Approval

Public Art Timeline

Current Projects

Thornton Parkway - Median Project

Hispanic History and Heritage: "Resilience in Bloom"