Living in Denver, I often travel north from Denver to Boulder or Denver to Fort Collins, not making many stops along the way. Until recently, my travels took me to the small town of Loveland, where I discovered one of the best places to visit in Colorado; The Benson Sculpture Garden.
The town of Loveland, often confused with the Loveland Ski Area along I-70, is a small community between Boulder and Fort Collins, roughly an hour north of Denver, and is known by those in the art community as the mecca for bronze casting. Some say that Loveland, Colorado is to making sculptures as Hollywood is to making movies. Artists from all over the world come here to have their sculptures created and cast. And many of these pieces can be seen at the Benson Sculpture Garden.
But many people ask, why Loveland? While Loveland wasn’t always a hub for the arts, you can accredit much of its growing artful community to its dedicated local artists and the establishment of the foundries. A foundry is where the long and arduous process of turning a sculpture from vision to reality begins and Loveland is home to three of them.
What has grown organically grown over the years, started in 1972 when the first foundry was established in Loveland. Art Castings of Colorado began with casting metal parts like bronze propellers and one day an artist asked if they would cast a piece of art. And the rest is history. Over the years, this foundry has earned a reputation amongst artists as the place to have your art come to life.
Soon to follow, Bronze Services of Loveland opened in 1989, and then Rocky Mountain Bronze opened its doors in 1994. With the opening of these foundries, Loveland secured its spot as a world-renowned art destination for casting bronze sculptures.
If you want to learn more about the process, you can tour Art Castings of Colorado to see the process of casting bronze sculptures.
Visiting the Benson Sculpture Garden
Most of the bronze sculptures you’ll in town are located at the Benson Sculpture Garden. You’ll find 10 acres of well-manicured landscapes filled with local flora and nearly 180 pieces of art on permanent display. Open year-round, the garden is free to visit and explore on your own. But if it’s your first time, I would suggest signing up for a free tour.
We started our tour at the main pavilion and bathrooms, which immediately grabbed my attention. The bathroom exteriors were adorned with bronze portrait-sized plaques. Even the sign for the women’s and men’s bathrooms were cast in bronze. From there, lifesize bronze sculptures seemed to pop up everywhere with each step I took.
On our tour, I noticed the guides (also local sculptors) grabbing and rubbing the sculptures as they talked about them. I thought, should you be touching the art? So, I asked and was told, that in fact, bronze sculptures are made to be touched and loved. I started to notice the difference between regular visitors (like me) and the sculptors who weren’t afraid to touch the pieces, give them a hug, or a love tap. The nature of bronze material and its construction is designed to last, be corrosion resistant, and be strong. So, don’t be afraid to pose with your favorite sculpture and show it a little bit of love.
The Sculpture in the Park Show
One of the best times to visit the Benson Sculpture Garden is during its Sculpture in the Park Show held every summer since 1984. Revered as one of the finest outdoor juried exhibitions of three-dimensional artwork, i.e. sculptures, the long-running show generates nearly $2 million in sales. Over the years, the event has brought over 1,000 local, national, and international artists who showcase their work. The event is the community’s labor of love with over 400 volunteers and many local artists contributing their work.
Other places to see art in Loveland
As a designated Colorado Creative District, Loveland knows a thing or two about art. You’ll find public art everywhere in Loveland. A simple walk downtown reveals more than 20 art murals painted on the sides of buildings. Street corners showcasing sculptures (mainly between 1st and 4th Street). Outside of downtown, there are a few other places in town to spot sculptures.
Chapungu Sculpture Park
This unique sculpture park features 82 Zimbabwean stone sculptures. This permanent collection and exhibit is the only one of its kind in the country. The park features open walkways and nature trails. It is also the home of the annual Winter Wonderlights event that runs every holiday season.
McWhinney-Hahn Sculpture Park
Located along the grounds near the Loveland Visitor Center at I-25 and US34, the McWhinney-Han Sculpture Park also features several bronze sculptures worth a look. It’s a great place to begin your visit to Loveland. Be sure you “lock your love” away at the famous LOVE LOCK sculpture.
For me, the best part about visiting the Benson Sculpture Garden was that it was so unexpected. I never would have thought to find hundreds of beautifully bronzed sculptures at a public park in the middle of Northern Colorado. This park is definitely one of my favorite small town stops that should be added to any Colorado travel itinerary.
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