The small town of Loveland, Colorado, is home to an impressive collection of bronze sculptures, free to view at The Benson Sculpture Garden. Often confused with the Loveland Ski Area along I-70, Loveland 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.
Loveland wasn’t always a hub for the arts. Much of the growth of the local art community is attributed to the establishment of the foundries in the early 1970s. 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, including Art Castings of Colorado. Over the years, this foundry has earned a reputation among artists as the place to bring your art to life.
Soon after, Bronze Services of Loveland opened in 1989, and 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 find 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, be sure to sign up for a free tour.
Don’t be afraid to touch or climb on the sculptures (at your own risk) for a picture-perfect pose, because they are made to be touched and loved. The bronze material and its construction are designed to last, resist corrosion, and be strong.
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.
As a designated Colorado Creative District, Loveland knows a thing or two about art. You’ll find public art everywhere in town. A simple walk downtown reveals more than 20 art murals painted on the sides of buildings and street corners, showcasing sculptures (mainly between 1st and 4th Street).