Commerce City is calling on art enthusiasts to become part of something special. The Cultural Council announced they are looking for locals to help choose public art installations destined to elevate the cultural vibrancy of the area. Interested individuals can now apply to join the selection committees for two separate art projects slated to debut in 2025.
First on the docket is a piece to pay homage to the city's symbolic equine, a tribute to the once bronze-mounted horse of Pioneer Park. From descriptions shared on the city's website, "Reimagining Cocklebur" seeks to encapsulate the legacy of the original statue. Encouraging creative minds to lend their eye, the selection committee is tasked with overseeing the choosing of an art piece that will take up the mantle of its predecessor.
The second initiative, the CALU Park art installation, intends to celebrate the indigenous roots of the Cheyenne, Arapahoe, Lakota, and Ute tribes. This artwork will find its home in the nascent park taking shape just south of E. 96th Avenue, adjacent to the Buffalo Highlands neighborhood, creating a cultural connection to the land's original stewards, according to the City of Commerce City.
Committee responsibilities are not for the faint of heart, requiring a commitment to review artist submissions, attend meetings in late January or early February and late April or early May to deliberate, and finally, to nominate finalists to the Cultural Council. As detailed by the City of Commerce City, the process ensures the art selected is reflective of the community spirit and collective memory.
