Just ran across an article in the Highlands Ranch Herald on the display of 14 sculptures across Douglas County, including Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree and Parker.

“Art Encounters is a year-long outdoor sculpture exhibit that showcases a number of sculptures, in various media and styles, displayed in highly visible areas in Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree and Parker. The project is designed to promote public interest in art, develop community pride and draw visitors to the retail or civic areas where they are displayed.”

Kick-off events started Wednesday and runs until June 14th. The sculptures will remain on display for a year, at which time new sculptures will take their place.

This program not only adds beauty and interest to the locations in which they have been displayed, it also benefits the artists. Along with exposure of their artwork, selected artists receive $500 and “have the chance for their artwork to be purchased.”

I live in Douglas County and appreciate that the DCCC (Douglas County Culture Center) has done the work to bring the sculptures into the community. I think I’ve seen one of them in the Highlands Ranch Town Center already, and didn’t realize it was part of this new arts & cultural program.

Besides viewing the actual sculptures out on the streets and the horse pictured above–LOVE junk sculptures–you can view the statues on the Douglas County website.

Last night we attended an art exhibit at Republic Plaza in Downtown Denver. “Artists from the San Luis Valley” is a mixture of over thirty artists from all around the San Luis Valley in southern Colorado. My fiance is a native Coloradan, from the San Luis Valley, where we visit family at least once a year, so this was a “must see” exhibit for us.

The exhibit includes some truly exceptional paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, pottery and jewelry. There is also an eclectic mixture of artwork; ranging from landscapes of the San Luis Valley to more contemporary abstract selections. It’s worth it to drop by and view the presented works.

Last night there was an artist’s reception, but unfortunately, we only met Lorraine Solis Roberts. She has two amazingly detailed portraits done with india ink on clay board. Some of the other featured artists include: Henry Woolbert & Kathy Park, Roger Eriksen, David Montgomery, Bertha Gotterup, Tatjana Krizmanic, and Tom Lockhart, his Clouds Forming on Handkerchief Mesa shown right.

The exhibit runs until July 24th at Republic Plaza, 370 17th Street. The building is open Monday thru Friday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM.