Handmade - Downtown Partnership

Zeus

By:

Russell

Whiting

of Breaux Bridge, LA

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.

Medium: Carved steel

Miner 35

By:

Joe

Allred

of Hot Springs Village, AR

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.”

Medium: Painted steel

Snowy Owl

By:

Stephen

Landis

of Loveland, CO

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.

Medium: Polymer concrete, steel, epoxy coatings

Location: In median on Cascade Ave. & Rio Grande next to Shuga's

Mary Mashburn

By:

Carlos

Oliva

of Montreal, Canada

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.

Medium: Latex and spray paint

Location: South side of Mountain Chalet (visible

I Choose Art

By:

Julio

Mendoza

of Denver, CO

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.

Medium: Latex paint and acrylic spray paint

Location: West exterior wall of 32 S Tejon St. (above Saigon Cafe)

Grey Wolf

By:

Brenda

Biondo

of Manitou Springs, CO

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.

Medium: Digital photography on vinyl

Location: Weber St. & Colorado Ave., South-facing exterior wall

Garden Spirits

By:

Rosario

Weston

of Colorado Springs, CO

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.

Medium: Acrylic paint reproduced on vinyl

Location: E Boulder St., East side of Ohana Kava Bar

Flourishing

By:

Frankie

Meaden

of Auckland, New Zealand

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.

Medium: Embroidered recycled plastic

Casey the Terrific Tire Caterpillar

By:

Kyle

Cunniff

of Pagosa Springs, CO

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.

Medium: Mixed media, painted car tires

Bloom II

By:

Kasia

Polkowska

of Pagosa Springs, CO

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.

Medium: Painted steel

Location: In median at intersection of Pikes Peak Ave. & S Weber St.

As One

By:

Jerry

Severns

of Denver, CO

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

Medium: Steel, patina, clear coat

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