Artists with a flair for the three-dimensional, it's your time to shine, or perhaps more aptly, to be cast in the best possible light by Douglas County's open-air gallery. The Douglas County Art Encounters program is throwing open the gates for local and national sculptors to submit their creations to be enjoyed by the public throughout 2025. On its website, the county announced that its year-long outdoor sculpture exhibit will once again decorate the communal spaces of Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Parker, and Roxborough with various styles and media starting in May.
Since its founding in 2007, Art Encounters has not just decorated the town but played a pivotal role in cultivating a culture that appreciates and engages with art in a public space cycling new sculptures annually, the pieces have found their gaze upon thousands of visitors and residents alike, leaving not just impressions but a legacy, some of the sculptures have become permanent fixtures, 24 pieces have been added to the county's permanent collection through purchase or donation. According to Douglas County, sculptors who are selected to participate in the program will receive a $1,200 stipend for their contributions to the artistic fabric of the community. Applications must be submitted via ArtCall.org or CAFÉ by Feb. 21.
The Art Encounters initiative was first imagined and brought to fruition by the Douglas County Cultural Council, a body assembled by citizen advocates to enrich the community through art. This council sits as an advisory board, leveraging funds from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) to give life to this program in Highlands Ranch and Roxborough since 2007. In Castle Rock, which sits outside of the SCFD, funding support comes from the Town’s share of the Philip S. Miller Trust, ensuring that Art Encounters reach every intended corner, Douglas County Libraries also contributes, underscoring their investment in the arts as part of their community offering.
With the submission deadline looming, artists are encouraged to review the detailed submission requirements on the Art Encounters webpage and seize the opportunity to share their vision with the masses. As pieces selected for this year’s exhibition will be featured from May 2025 to May 2026, the chosen sculptures are not just artworks but will become ambassadors of culture, engaging the public in a silent yet profound dialogue that changes with each passing sun and shadow. In articulating their creativity, artists not only bare their souls but imprint upon a community an ever-evolving sense of identity and pride
