Art on the Streets Digital Archive

Steven’s work is rooted in themes of space, scale, and gravity. Air Garden II attempts to organize space so that it can be seen in a more essential way, almost as if it is as solid as the physical material. Although this sculpture is made of cast concrete, Steven considers the space inside and around the work to be an equally relevant part of its composition.

Jacob’s work is an expression of man’s relationship to natural forces. He currently focuses on the use of fabric as an initial material because of its ability to conform to the invisible forces of gravity and tension, creating a tangible, energetic form to depict their effects. The draped fabric is then transformed into a rigid material such as bronze or aluminum through the foundry process. The healing aesthetics of flow and dance are built into each sculpture by mindfully and playfully integrating this energy into a symbolic dance.

Patrick’s creative practice embraces change, and he is inspired by the dichroic elements in this work, moved by the breeze, that change color depending on the angle to the light. Imagine those photons, leaving the sun, crossing space, the atmosphere, and glancing off one of these elements to be captured just so in the rods and cones of the viewer's retina to create just that shade of blue. Says Patrick: “It makes me feel humble and happy. I hope it does you, too.”

Ian Stewart, aka Ennuain, is a multidisciplinary mural artist whose work transcends traditional boundaries, merging the physical and the digital through the dynamic lens of augmented reality (AR). Colorado Butterflies is a celebration of the beauty and diversity of butterflies found in the greater Colorado landscape. Butterflies are not only exquisite creatures but also serve as important pollinators and indicators of environmental health. Through this mural, he aims to raise awareness about the importance of preserving their habitats and supporting biodiversity.

For thousands of years and across innumerable cultures, feathers have represented a connection to the spiritual. They are not only a physical symbol of flight and freedom, but also symbolic of spiritual evolution. Universally, feathers are a positive and uplifting image, bringing to mind freedom, truth, courage, travel, spirituality and more. No matter your age or cultural background, this artwork is immediately recognizable as an uplifting symbol of freedom and happiness. It’s welcoming and engaging and invites viewers to get closer and explore the visual details, the finish and the varying textures.

Kerry has worked as an artist and designer for over 15 years, creating everything from murals and infographics to storyboarding and brand-identity projects. The prominent focus of this design is a floating heart, “held” by an adolescent figure with its face obscured by flowers and plants. The heart is surrounded by icons and symbols that convey the importance of balance –the key to a healthy, heart-centered life as we move forward in time. The heart represents the center of emotion - often associated with courage, love, passion, and compassion. The overlapping figures and symbols relate the importance of living heart-centered, with emotional intent, love, and compassion for the benefit of the individual, which in turn suggests the same for the human collective, our earthly home, all elements of nature, and the cosmos at large.

Modeled after one of Juan’s recently completed paintings, with this this mural the artist seeks to evoke a sense of hope and inspiration, utilizing the timeless symbolism of the origami crane suspended gracefully over ethereal clouds.

This image of two kissing camels is a playful nod to the famous rock formation in Garden of the Gods. Naomi specializes in humorous and hyper-realistic portraits. She’s won many awards and recognitions for her chalk art, including several awards from the Denver Chalk Art Festival. Originally from Colorado and now living in Florida, Naomi hopes her whimsical image of this long-beloved local landmark makes people smile.

Kasia takes inspiration from her surroundings, aiming to add beauty and interest to new places where the passerby can feel uplifted, inspired and discover something new. With Lepidoptera she hopes to share the wonder of these magnificent insects and remind people that butterflies are important pollinators whose life and work are crucial to keeping our natural environments flourishing.

Seeds in the Wind is the ninth piece in a nine-part series titled A Journey of Growth and Transformation, which follows the growth of seedpod from a little bundle full of limitless possibility through the journey of accepting the calling, taking the leap, experiencing a fall (or many falls), stepping into forward motion, budding with gratitude, blossoming and finally into spreading her own seeds to the wind so that they might land where they may and begin their own unique journeys. Jodie hopes that the pieces in this series are able to inspire viewers – at whatever stage of their own journey they are in – to keep moving forward and be gentle with themselves, stay hopeful that this too shall pass, and that there is value to be gained in every stage of life.

Dominique Montaño is a wildlife artist who focuses on highlighting animals and nature to illuminate the dangers threatening the world around us. A master’s graduate at Colorado State University focusing on zoology and comparative physiology, Dominique always has been fascinated with the incredible diversity of animals and how they operate in the world around them. With an eye toward conservation of these animals, Dominique focuses on highlighting the plight of her subjects, and subsequently donates portions of proceeds to animal conservation organizations.

Sun Kissed is a collaborative mural project between Pikes Peak Region Poet Laureate Ashley Cornelius and visual artist Jasmine Holmes, showcasing the depth of beauty and diversity of the Colorado Springs community. Adding poetry to public art has been a goal of Ashley’s, and Jasmine’s incredible skill and soul for creating striking and engaging art made this a perfect connection. Sun Kissed highlights the vibrant essence of the city through the depiction of local community members by Jasmine and text from an original poem created by Ashley. Ashley interviewed 14 community members from various lived experiences and infused their connections to the city into her poem. Interviewees ranged from age 9 to 80+, various genders, sexualities, racial and ethnic backgrounds, neighborhoods, industries, and passions. The mural serves as a reminder of the awe surrounding us, the honoring of ancestral lands, the joy of connection, and finding home in each other.

Tuono, a collaborative sculpture born from the artistic synergy between Jodie and Collin, transcends traditional boundaries to create a dynamic dialogue among form, space, and perception. This innovative fusion of their unique perspectives converges in a harmonious blend of materials, concepts, and craftsmanship. Drawing inspiration from the elemental force of thunder, Tuono captures the raw energy and unbridled power of nature. Through the interplay of light and shadow, Tuono invites viewers to explore the intricate layers of meaning embedded within its form. The artists' collaborative spirit breathes life into the sculpture, allowing it to become a living, evolving entity that resonates with the shared vision of Cooper and Parson.

Jerry Severns’ sculpture explores movement and interaction. Sculptural elements can be viewed as creature/being/spirits. In meeting these previously unknown beings, Severns asks viewers to consider their story, and the possibility of sentient capabilities and value in those who may not be just like us. Jsforge.com

Kasia Polkowska a multidisciplinary artist who explores sculpture, mosaics and painting – taking inspiration from beautiful surroundings as well as life experiences. Polkowska aims to add beauty and interest to new places where the passerby can feel uplifted, inspired and discover something new. Her new sculpture series, “Bloom,” is rooted in the intricate folk art of paper cutting from Poland, where she was born. With “Bloom II” she desires to share the wonder that these forms inspire in her, hoping that the sculpture can do the same for others. The bright colors and fun, bulbous shapes are made to be eye-catching, grabbing viewers and pulling them in for a moment, adding something unique to their day out on the town.

The work of artist and industrial designer Kyle Cunniff often focuses on minimalist, abstract forms or representations of simple objects that are contrasted by hard, durable materials such as rubber tires, steel or concrete. His latest work uses upcycled, painted car tires in a repetitive pattern to create the form of a caterpillar. “Casey the Caterpillar” is a climbable, colorful friend for everyone to enjoy.

By creating large-scale botanical artworks, Frankie Meaden aims to raise environmental awareness by talking about how we rely on, and are intricately connected to, the plant world around us. Joyful and optimistic, her art is a collision of worlds: embroidery, usually so minuscule, is blown up into a large-scale sculpture in a way that has never been done before. She is known for using upcycled and recycled materials in her work. The rope is made from recycled plastic (pulled out of our oceans) and is thick, strong, and durable enough for outdoor public art display. In 2022, “Flourishing” was suspended above the business district of Auckland, New Zealand, as a colorful canopy for several months.

Rosario Weston emigrated to the United States from Chile at age 10. During the developmental years of her three sons, as a single mother she was sole provider for her family – rarely able to develop her painting and sculpting as her chosen storytelling voice. Only during the pandemic shutdowns of 2020 was she finally able to spend meaningful time on her art. Weston is now a high school art teacher. Nature, people doing what comes naturally to them, and American contemporary culture and how all these interact with one another are influential subjects to her. Weston believes that the opportunity to live and work in different countries allowed her to absorb a collection of color palettes, textures and compositional styles that make their way to her works.

Brenda Biondo uses photography in unconventional ways to foster deeper connections between people and nature. In her public artworks, photographic composites reference traditional stained-glass windows to elevate the perceived status of animals and nature. The composite images feature wildlife, plants and other elements of a particular area to create a unique sense of place. Corresponding poster versions raise money for local nonprofits. This mural celebrates the wildlife and landscapes of the Pikes Peak region.

Alex Bond is an award-winning artist working in mediums of stone, wood, and metal. From his studio in southwestern Colorado, Bond creates art independently and as part of a collaborative team across a variety of scales and concepts. Bond aims to tell stories that blur the line between nature and industry, between the wild and human dimensions. Bond has created over 15 large-scale, public art pieces as part of the permanent collection of various municipalities nationwide. Bond also owns and operates a nonprofit art school, Turning Wild, focused on providing youth with opportunities for creative education.

Julio Mendoza, aka Juls, is a multidisciplinary artist who celebrates his heritage through art. His style, "Surrealismo Cultural," or "Cultural Surrealism," focuses on cultural identity, community, and social justice. Born in El Paso, Texas, and raised in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Juls says of his heritage: “I am who I am in most part because of my Mexican and Latino heritage. Therefore, incorporating my heritage into my art is meaningful to me, and I feel it's meaningful to those who can relate to that sentiment as well." For Juls, the greatest gift is to get inspired by one’s own traditions, food, people and colors, and he feels blessed to be able to put all these into an art piece and inspire others.

Muralist and street artist Carlos Oliva has been a part of the arts scene of Montreal, Canada, for more than 25 years. Combining hyperrealism and naive art, he adapts to all kinds of technical projects requiring the most advanced criteria. In every project, he strives to create something positive and colorful, even when it's a more difficult subject. He has worked on a large number of interior and exterior murals, personal projects as well as commissions of various sizes on all kinds of surfaces. This work pays homage to Mary Mashburn, longtime former executive director of the nonprofit organization Imagination Celebration. Mashburn, who was affectionately known as the “Fairy Godmother of the Arts,” died in early 2023.

Sculptor Stephen Landis prefers the flexible and supportive nature of clay: the movement and fluctuations of his creative process. His process most often is born with the discovery of a form of some sort, which then becomes the starting point for a sculpture. As the form becomes more definable it starts to take on a meaning and allows him to explore what theme or image it has presented. This procedure takes place with each sculpture he creates. What they have in common is the process.

Joe Allred is fascinated by small, ordinary objects that have profound importance. With the gigantic clasp pin "Miner 35," he expands a small object – a five-inch clasp pin – up to Brobdingnagian magnitude to amplify the importance that a tiny object can have in the lives of people. In this case it is a memento of his father's hard and dangerous work supporting his family after being mustered out of the service at the end of World War II. Says Allred: “Frequently, a simple shape will catch in my thoughts, like the image of a five-inch clasp pin, then the image will rise and recede from my consciousness until it finally stays there, and I must begin working with it in physical form.”

Russell Whiting has developed a technique of carving steel with the oxyacetylene torch that produces complex surfaces and textures. Traditionally steel sculpture has been additive: poured, forged or fabricated. Torch carving is subtractive. The torch allows fast removal of material unlike any other method of carving, which allows for flow of thought and intent to be rapidly transferred to the medium.

Mimicking a pet tunnel, “Betwixt” channels through un-comfortability and buried memories that individuals grapple with in the present – navigating through the loss of oneself. It is humorous and somewhat playful, yet there is also a sinister sense in that you can enter the tunnel but not escape. The twists and turns in the tunnel create a barrier between each end. Like the game of telephone, information is lost and left out. We want to navigate/tunnel through buried memories but not necessarily relive them, although they could be the route to direct us to find that lost identity.

Brenda Biondo uses photography in unconventional ways to foster deeper connections between people and nature. In her public artworks, photographic composites reference traditional stained-glass windows to elevate the perceived status of animals and nature. The composite images feature wildlife, plants and other elements of a particular area to create a unique sense of place. Corresponding poster versions raise money for local nonprofits. This mural celebrates the wildlife and landscapes of the Pikes Peak region.

Joshua Ware calls his work a biomorphitecture: a neologism naming the confluence of constructivist sculpture and living forms. Biomorphitecture engages architecture and structure through geometric, hard-edge forms. It attends to living forms by focusing on objects of a human scale; relying on handcrafted construction methods that do not engage digital or mass fabrication techniques; and encouraging direct interaction between the object and living organisms. Ware aims to harness the tensions between entities that we often consider contradictory. This piece functions as a usable bench, thus interrogating the relationship between the object and human form.

Kelly Goff expresses an interest in edges, spaces between things, points of tension, distances, lines, throughlines, and the displacement of resources. Growing up next to an oil refinery on a Caribbean island still colors much of his sense of the world and exploration of it as an artist. Remote landscapes under threat of human industry are especially potent, so time spent in places such as the Ecuadorian Amazon, the Alaskan wilderness, and the Himalayan nation of Bhutan have been meaningful in his work. Goff’s work for general audiences is more broadly accessible, lighthearted, and formal in nature. Line is a major player in the work: lines like those that connect places, yet also the lines that connect us to each other.

The bold and colorful works by Annie Hong, aka Hootnannie (she/they), have been featured in various spaces and exhibitions throughout the United States and South Korea. With painting as their primary medium, their insatiable curiosity of all that is visual and beautiful has led them to venture into the worlds of murals, body painting, digital art, installations, and wearable art. Hong’s works can be recognized by their use of vibrant and colorful patterns and whimsical play with words. Hong’s work is greatly inspired by their experience navigating the world as a queer, gender nonconforming, first-generation Asian American artist, aiming to challenge the narrative of the current contemporary art dialogue by pushing for the visual voices of the underrepresented.

Julio Mendoza, aka Juls, is a multidisciplinary artist who celebrates his heritage through art. His style, "Surrealismo Cultural," or "Cultural Surrealism," focuses on cultural identity, community, and social justice. Born in El Paso, Texas, and raised in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Juls says of his heritage: “I am who I am in most part because of my Mexican and Latino heritage. Therefore, incorporating my heritage into my art is meaningful to me, and I feel it's meaningful to those who can relate to that sentiment as well." For Juls, the greatest gift is to get inspired by one’s own traditions, food, people and colors, and he feels blessed to be able to put all these into an art piece and inspire others.

Two independently balanced forms dancing together through space, Mariachi Galaxy has a constantly shifting form as it turns about, casting undulating shadows while the orange reflectors twinkle in the light. Its form is aquatic and mystical. Wise searches for the nexus between balance and tipping off, both metaphorically and literally, as this is a place of heightened energy and emotion. Wise focuses keen attention to the outlines of his sculpture, the elegance and power of edges that transform as one moves around the work and the undulating shadows it throws on the ground and surroundings.