Travel to Loveland, Colorado, for the Bronze Sculpture Scene

Visiting Loveland, Colorado, rugged mountains, lush greenery and a thriving bronze sculpture community welcomed me. This northern Colorado city is home to professional and acclaimed sculptors and through the Art in Public Places program, residents and visitors traveling to Loveland have many opportunities to enjoy these works of art which can be massive, tiny, or life-size.

Visit Benson Sculpture Garden in Loveland
With the Rocky Mountains as the backdrop and more than 130 sculptures sprinkled throughout the park, every visit to Loveland must include a trip to Benson Sculpture Garden. Magnificent sculptures ranging from abstract to life-like to whimsical adorn the park which is seasonally lush with trees and flowers, open spaces and a pond. A walking path makes it easy to see all the sculptures and benches provide resting areas and observation points. Many sculptures, if not all, are guaranteed to ignite smiles while others will inspire photo opportunities.

More than 100 of Benson Sculpture Garden's sculptures have been purchased and donated by the Loveland High Plains Arts Council. The council is also responsible for sponsoring the "Sculpture in the Park" show, held annually in August. Visitors to this juried event can see more than 2,000 sculpture pieces on display

Benson Sculpture Gardens
908 Aspen Drive
Loveland, Colo.
(Across from Loveland High School)
www.sculptureinthepark.org

Visit the Faces Bridge in Loveland
Trolls don't live under this bridge but 28 bronze sculpture faces dot a wall at the Faces Bridge. They represent men and women and young and old each with a distinct, whimsical look. There's even a face of an alien. Randy Hand is the talented artist who created the faces. A sidewalk leads visitors under the bridge to view the sculptures and the path can be followed either on foot or on bike along the Big Thompson River.

Faces Bridge
Located Near 500 Block of North Wilson Ave.
Loveland, Colo.
www.randyhand.com

Visit Art Castings of Colorado to See How Bronze Sculptures are Made
After seeing grand bronze sculptures throughout Loveland, see how they are made at one of several foundries, including Art Castings of Colorado. Public tours show and tell visitors the fascinating process of of creating a sculpture all the way from artist rendering to masterpiece.

Tours are offered Tuesday and Thursday at 8 and 9:30 a.m. and last between 45 and 60 minutes. Advance reservations are required and each tour can accommodate up to eight people. This is a working facility so it may be hot and noisy. Protective eye wear is provided and closed-toed shoes are required. Sorry ladies, no high heels, either. A nominal admission fee is charged.

Art Castings of Colorado
511 8th St. SE
Loveland, Colo.
Tel: (970) 667-1114
www.artcastings.com

Located less than an hour north of Denver, Loveland makes a great day trip or weekend getaway. Traveling throughout Loveland, it's easy to see and admire the more than 280 pieces of publicly-owned art (Source: Herald-Reporter newspaper http://www.reporterherald.com/art/). Take time to enjoy some or all of them.

Sources:
Art Castings of Colorado, www.artcastings.com
City of Loveland, Colo., Art in Public Places, www.ci.loveland.co.us/cultural_services/cultural_services_aipp.htm
Sculpture in the Park, www.sculptureinthepark.org
Herald-Reporter newspaper www.reporterherald.com/art
Personal Visit, July 2009