SCULPTURE IN THE PARK
The 36th annual Sculpture in the Park welcomes 160 international juried artists.
The inaugural Sculpture in the Park, hosted by the Loveland High Plains Arts Council, opened in 1984 with just 50 artists setting up booths at Benson Park. The show was an instant success with $50,000 in sales and 2,000 visitors attending the show. The proceeds allowed the group to purchase two sculptures for the park. Fastforward 35 years later and what is now the Benson Sculpture Garden boasts 170 pieces that have been bought by the Loveland High Plains Arts Council because of Sculpture in the Park. In June, six new pieces will be installed to add to the permanent exhibition of three-dimensional works.
Throughout the years Sculpture in the Park has welcomed 1,369 different artists to the grounds of the Loveland, Colorado, venue to display their work. This year’s 36th annual event will feature 160 juried artists, who will have more than 2,000 pieces available in bronze, glass, metal and more. Among those participating are AAMA Metal Arts + Design (artists Pam Ambrosio
and Joan Adams), Karen Ehart, Rosetta, John Maisano, Victor Issa, Nick Leonoff and Yenny Cocq.
According to Issa, “Loveland’s Sculpture in the Park is the premier sculpture event in the country, perhaps the world. The quality of the art and the passion of the artists, collectors, organizers and volunteers cannot be matched anywhere else.” With his figurative sculptures, Issa’s goal is to “help focus people’s attention on the beautiful, the uplifting and the meaningful things of life.”
Combining glass and metal in her work, Ehart says, “I see the steel framework in my pieces as the pen-work surrounding the watercolor-like glass pieces. For this reason, I keep them very dark and crisp compared to the glass. This year I will be expanding on that theme. I am thrilled to return to this year’s Sculpture in the Park show and really look forward to seeing the high quality work exhibited there.”
Sculpture in the Park will be open to the public August 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and August 11 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is $8 per person, with children under the age of 14 admitted for free. On August 9, from 3 to 8 p.m., will be the Patron Party. A limited number of tickets to the preview are available for $75.