Public art is one of the most obvious expressions of a city's culture and creativity — and there's no shortage of it in The Mile High City. From vibrant murals to our beloved Blue Bear, Denver's public art makes a stroll through the city a cultural experience all its own.
Start with our downtown Denver public art walking tour. Here are 10 must-see pieces:
The 40-foot-tall Blue Bear — formally named "I See What You Mean™" — keeps an eye on visitors to the Colorado Convention Center.
Donald Lipski's sculpture features a life-size horse standing atop an enormous red chair outside the Denver Public Library.
The lawn of the Denver Performing Arts Complex seems an appropriate place for two 60-foot-tall fiberglass dancers. Visitors are encouraged to join in, too — music plays from speakers at the base 24 hours a day.
This series of two murals in two neighborhoods — Art District on Santa Fe and River North Art District — expresses a vibrant love of Denver with vivid colors and heart, bird and music motifs unique to each.
When visitors first arrive at Meow Wolf Denver, there's something truly unique to welcome them outside this artsy, mind-bending complex. You can't miss the Plethodon, a reptile-like sculpture.
Situated at the foot of the Highland Bridge that connects Downtown Denver to the Highlands, this obelisk-like crimson sculpture was created by hometown artist John McEnroe.
Fernando Botero's portly bronze Man and Woman mingle with theatergoers outside the Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre at the Denver Performing Arts Complex.
Baseball fans and art lovers can agree on one thing — Lonnie Hanzon's ceramic and steel archway offers the perfect entry to Coors Field. It's even topped with a giant purple Colorado Rockies baseball!
This larger-than-life-size pair outside the Denver Art Museum harkens back to Colorado's ranching past and is a favorite among animal-loving youngsters (and adults).
If abstract art is more up your alley, the Denver Art Museum is also home to this soaring 16-ton steel sculpture, which was constructed of industrial I-beams by award-winning artist Mark di Suvero.
Three puffy white clouds — constructed from steel by artist Christopher Lavery — originally greeted drivers along Pena Boulevard on the way to and from Denver International Airport. Now, they can be seen from I-25, where they grace the entrance to the Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus.
No roundup of Denver's public art would be complete without mentioning one of the city's most iconic — and polarizing — pieces. Whatever your opinion of the gargantuan blue horse with glowing red eyes towering above Pena Boulevard near Denver International Airport, he's certainly hard to miss!
Denver's commitment to public art runs deep. So deep, in fact, that it eventually made its way into law! Denver’s Arts & Venues Public Art Program was established in 1988 and directs that 1 percent of any capital improvement project over $1 million undertaken by the city be set aside for the inclusion of art in the design and construction of the project. Now, Denver's public art collection numbers more than 300 pieces, meaning that you'll likely encounter something to please the eye or challenge your aesthetic sensibilities around every corner. The collection includes artwork by both local artists and internationally recognized artists, acquainting Denver's citizens and visitors with traditional art forms as well as works of art considered to be cutting edge.
Denver International Airport also has gotten into the public art spirit and features its own collection. Throughout the airport, you'll see beautiful murals, captivating sculptures and whimsical installation pieces.
