Public Art in Louisville

Public art, whether owned by the City of Louisville or on loan to the City, is placed on public property for all residents and visitors to enjoy. The City's Public Art Policy was passed in 2018.

Click to read the Public Art Policy >  

Public art may be commissioned and paid for by the City government or by outside organizations. Regardless of the funding source, all public art must follow municipal code and the public art policy. Additional recommendations from the Cultural Council, City Council, the City Arts and Events Program Manager, and public art professionals may dictate the final design, implementation, and placement of public art. 

In addition to municipal code, the City Sustainability Coordinator would like to remind residents to be mindful of the environmental impact of certain types of art. Artists working with paint should have a plan in place to prevent and to remediate paint spills. Other types of art are highly discouraged due to their environmental impact. For example: "Placing ribbons on outdoor trees poses an environmental challenge and an administrative burden. If ribbons (most of which are manufactured with plastic) becomes loosened by the wind or other weather, they can unfortunately become littered throughout town. Additionally, ribbons tied too tightly or left on for too long can be detrimental to the trees health."

IN PROGRESS:

• "Community Resilience Sculpture" - by Rita Vali and Arabella Tattershall

Concrete and tile sculpture located in front of City Hall

Learn more about this sculpture and its importance here

• "Pet Memorial" - by Michael Garman

Bronze sculpture on boulder at the Louisville Arboretum

SCULPTURES:

 Community Park Sculpture Garden 

• "Sky" - by Robert Romero

Stainless steel abstract sculpture.

Part of the five elements represented in Community Park's sculpture garden: Sky.

• "Fire" - by Tyler Stinson

Bronze abstract sculpture.

Part of the five elements represented in Community Park's sculpture garden: Fire.

• "Melody" - by Rosalind Cook

Bronze sculpture of dancing girl.

Part of the five elements represented in Community Park's sculpture garden: Wind.

• "Clorese" - by Sherrill Stone

Bronze and steel sculpture of a fish.

Part of the five elements represented in Community Park's sculpture garden: Water.

• "Earth" is represented by the ornamental tree in the center of the sculpture garden

"Pocket" Park at Front Street and Spruce Street

• "Citizen John" - by Dawn Record

Bronze statue of John Breaux on a bicycle.

John Breaux was a well-known Boulder County resident who could often be seen riding his bike, picking up roadside trash, and volunteering at local businesses. In 2009, Breaux was struck by a car and died at age 57. The life-size sculpture was donated by the sculptor, and is based off a photo of Breaux.

Library

• Child with Books

Bronze statue of a young child holding a stack of books. (First floor children's area)

City Hall

• "The Coal Miner" - by Richard Stephenson

Bronze statue of a miner. (City Hall Plaza - outdoors)

According to artist Richard Stephenson, the statue was supposed to be generic, and not represent any specific person or individual. The sculpture was cast at Fedde Bronze Works in Denver, CO. The sculpture was originally installed to the south of City Hall, but was moved to its current location during City Hall renovations. 

• Coal Miner - Bust - by Betty L. Buffo

Bronze statue of the bust of a miner. (Second floor)

Sculpted by a Louisville resident to portray "all men who worked the mines in this area".

MURALS:

• Plaza Mural - by Darla Okada

Acrylic mural of woodland animals and books. (Library Plaza)

• "Kestrel Sky" - by Julia Williams / The Designosaur

Acrylic mural of a brightly colored kestrel bird.

 Pedestrian underpass south of Summit View Dr. and SH 42/Courtesy Rd.

• "Louisville Letter Play" - by Gregory Fields / Fieldscapes

Steel and ceramic panels in organic shapes that spell a secret message.

Pedestrian underpass at Front St. and South St.

• Lucky Pie mural (Title TBA) - by Adri Norris. Funded by Classrooms for Climate Action (C4CA).*

Painted mural depicting a Native American woman and scenes from Louisville's history.

West facing wall of Lucky Pie/Sweet Cow building at Front St. and Pine St.

• "Beneath the Mesa" - by Rita Vali and Robyn Rathweg

Tile mosaics depicting local flora and fauna.

Pedestrian underpass at Harper Lake Open Space/McCaslin Blvd. & Washington Ave.

OTHER ART:

• "Basalt Benches" by Alexei Kazantsev / AKSculpt

Three black stone benches with plaques in memory of Lani Melvin.

Community Park and Coal Creek Golf Course.

• "The Quadrilithe" by Homart Development*

Four geometric towers made of concrete.

McCaslin Blvd.

These four towers marked the original entrance to the Centennial Valley Business Park. When they were installed, there were empty fields on either side of McCaslin Blvd. The towers received an Award of Merit for innovative use of concrete in the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the American Concrete Institute's annual competition (1987). The tallest tower is 45'.

WALL ART:

Library

Visit the Library's Coal Creek Gallery to view rotating art displays.

• "School of Fish" - by Jana Diedrich

Clay fish and ocean creatures "swimming" across a wall. (First floor)

• Tile Mural - by local children

Wall of brightly colored tiles. (First floor, near restrooms)

• Mobile Sculpture

Mixed media. (Stairway)

• Numerous pieces of mixed media wall art - by various artists

(Second floor)

• Numerous copper panels - by Katy Clark

(Second floor)

• Numerous raku wall sculptures - by various artists

• Numerous paintings and photographs - by various artists

City Hall

Visit the City Hall second floor to view rotating art displays.

* Denotes art that is not part of the City of Louisville's Public Art Collection, but that may be of artistic, cultural, or tourist interest.