Director

Hannah Finch-Phillips painted one of the utility boxes in LaVern Johnson Park in 2021. She created an illusion piece so that the box would blend in with the surrounding scenery. LaVern Johnson Park is a historic park adjacent to Lyons downtown. The St. Vrain River runs along red cliffs that house golden eagles. Each side of the utility box shows a different piece of LaVern Johnson Park; the cliffs, the recreation fields, and the trees that fill the park.Creative Outlets is funded by the Lyons Community Foundation (LCF). The Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission hopes to continue this program with the support of the LCF to take utilitarian aspects of our community and turn them into something beautiful.

Creative Outlets brings beauty to unexpected places by selecting utility and power boxes in our parks and hiring talented artists to paint vibrant murals on them.

Creative Outlets by Hannah Finch-Phillips

Lyons Public Art and the heARTS of LYONS, An Art Collection All Over Town

We Welcome You by Sally King is located on the corner of High Street and Highway 36. It was created with wood, stucco, paint, and dye. Sally King is a Lyons local who hopes to spark creativity in her community. She is known for her colorful and whimsical bear paintings and her vibrant floral paintings. We Welcome You is a 3d manifestation of Sally King's bears and are permanently placed to welcome visitors to Lyons. They are a celebration of the Black bears that live in this area and the nature that surrounds the Lyons community. "Art is not made in isolation. It's a weaving of people, food, community, nature. I believe art is not only about making beauty, it's about speaking our truth to empower and bring people together." Sally King has been featured in the tandem Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission and Lyons Regional Library art shows and her work is recognized throughout the community. As you walk through town and visit businesses, you will likely see her works gracing the walls of real estate offices and galleries.To see more of Sally King's work, visit her website.

"It's a weaving of people, food, community, nature. I believe art is not only about making beauty, it's about speaking our truth to empower and bring people together." Sally King

We Welcome You by Sally King

When he approached painting a utility box in LaVern Johnson Park, Ryan Sohlden was inspired by the history of the park. The historic park, which was previously called Meadow Park, was not always just open space, railroad tracks ran through the area during the height of the quarry industry. The town needed a place where trains could turn around to travel back down to Denver. Meadow park was the perfect spot for that.The trains that ran from Denver to Lyons not only carried sandstone and limestone but passengers as well. Travelers would come to Lyons and then continue their journey up to Rocky Mountain National Park and Longs Peak. Ryan Sohlden worked with the Lyons Redstone Museum to create an accurate depiction of the trains that would travel through Lyons, into Meadow Park, and back to Denver.To learn more about Lyons history, take the Lyons Historic District Walking Tour hosted on this app.

Creative Outlets is funded by the Lyons Community Foundation with the goal of adding vibrant artwork to our community.

Creative Outlets by Ryan Sohlden 

"The Feather is my debut sculpture design, after spending four years designing themed climbing walls in the active family entertainment industry for a company called ClimbZone, and almost twenty years painting public and private murals for my own business, BB Murals.It is a direct response to the years of representational work I’ve been doing. I wanted to create something that was not based in reality, had no reference point and seemed to come from a different planet. Something unique. Something that came from inside.The Feather, as I’ve been calling it for short, is wildly popular and consequently has been selected for temporary and permanent exhibits in TX, TN, CO, MD, IL, IN, MS, NC, ID, OR, IA, CA, and GA since it’s debut in early 2019."

Kirk Seese is a mural artist and public sculptor. He has installed works from the east coast to the west coast. See more of his work at https://www.bbmurals.com/

Pluma Sculptura aka The Feather by Kirk Seese 

Eileen Coughlin Turnbull is a local artist who works in charcoal, paint, and sculpture. Cultural Crossroads is a hempcrete sculpture and is a permanent addition to the heARTS of LYONS program. Hempcrete is a biocomposite material that is lightweight and ideal for all climates. Hempcrete is often used in construction because of its strength and insulating qualities. Eileen Coughlin Turnbull uses it for her wall-hanging sculptures because of its durability, lightweight nature, and aesthetic appeal it offers. The Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission selected a shelter in LaVern Johnson Park for this sculpture because it is a place where both locals and visitors gather. LaVern Johnson Park is a historic park adjacent to Lyons' downtown district. The St. Vrain River runs through the park and the recreation centers are surrounded by red cliffs. The heart of LaVern Johnson Park offered the perfect home for Cultural Crossroads. Learn more about Eileen Coughlin Turnbull and the pieces she has available by following her on facebook! This sculpture was placed by the Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission. This program is sponsored by the Lyons Community Foundation.

"Art is my way of capturing and honoring a vision of the survival of the endangered." -Eileen Coughlin Turnbull

Cultural Crossroads by Eileen Coughlin Turnbull 

Kirk Seese is a multi-disciplinary artist from the Washington DC area of Maryland. His artistic professions span being a 2D large scale mural artist, set artist for film and television, lead designer for climbing gyms, and now 3D public sculptor exhibiting throughout the nation.

Tree branches is a sculpture created by Kirk Seese, a renowned sculpture and mural artist from the Washington DC area. This piece can be viewed in the area of Moxie Mercantile in Lyons, CO

Tree Branches by Kirk Seese

Parker's words ""I love what I'm able to do with a welder. Working cold welded steel is a challenge, but it's also immediate, and spontaneous and has a unique personality. The more familiar I become with steel’s personality, the softer it becomes. It becomes more of a cooperative participant. Freeing my imagination to turn inner vision to tangible reality."For more information on Parker's work, view www.https://www.parkermcdonald.net

Colorado born sculptor, Parker McDonald, loves creating with metal. His piece Largarto Loco was added to the heARTS of Lyons Art all over town tour in 2023. This piece can be viewed on the north west side of town, near Moxie Mercantile.

Largarto Loco by Parker McDonald

The Phoenix by Sally Truitt and Kahlie Pinello See more of Sally Truitt's work <a href="http://www.sallytruitt.com/" target="_blank">here.</a>

The Phoenix by Sally Truitt and Kahlie Pinello

Jonathan Corson-Rikert was an active member of the art community in Madison, Wisconsin. He served on the board of a cooperative gallery, exhibited his work in several galleries, and competed successfully for public art projects. Jonathan Corson-Rikert's sculptures were chosen for the 1980 Wisconsin Biennale and the permanent collection of the Madison Art Center, now the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art.To see his portfolio and learn more about his process, visit his website at https://art.corsonrikert.com/homeSponsored by the Lyons Community Foundation

My sculptures and two-dimensional works engage users through blends of organic, geometric, and architectural forms. Positive and negative spaces interact via cut-outs, layered curved profiles, projected shadows, and transitions of light and color. My sculptures are approachable at human scale, inviting the viewer to move around the work to explore planes, edges and volumes accentuated by bold color. They evoke rather than faithfully reproduce natural forms and draw on diverse artistic references from Maurice Sendak (In the Night Kitchen) to Henri Matisse cutouts, Anthony Caro and Frank Stella sculptures, and paintings as diverse as those of Wassily Kandinsky, Paul Klee, Stuart Davis, or David Hockney.

High Desert Kelp by Jonathan Corson-Rikert

Unconditional by Martin Levin is created from steel and locks. Martin Levin has been creating art for more than 50 years. View his portfolio <a href="https://www.highvoltagestudio.com/" target="_blank">here</a>.

"My work runs the gamut from thematic to abstract. Metal, wood and almost any other material that can be manipulated or fabricated into my work is fair game." Martin Levin

Unconditional by Martin Levin

Bear Hug by Sally King was created with wood, stucco, paint, and dye. Sally King lives in Lyons, Colorado and works to inspire creativity. View more of her works on her <a href="https://www.sallywhiteking.com/" target="_blank">website</a>. This piece was curated and placed by the <a href="http://www.townoflyons.com/181/Lyons-Arts-Humanities-Commission" target="_blank">Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission</a>.

"Let's all dare to create. In this space, I want to share what I've learned along the way to hopefully spark creativity in you, whatever that may be. I believe that as each one of us finds our creative voice, together we will become a force for good." Sally King

Bear Hug by Sally King 

Can You Hear Me Now? is a bronze sculpture by Bobbie Carlyle located on Main Street in Lyons, Colorado.Bobbie Carlyle has studied under many of today's notable artists and takes influence from Leonardo Bistolfi, Solon and Gutzon Borglum, Daniel Chester French, and Michelangelo. The result is a style that ranges from classical to art nouveau to contemporary, and always pure Bobbie. She creates figurative sculptures in bronze and has been featured in sculpture expos in both Colorado and Arizona. Her most well-known piece is 'Self-Made Man' a piece that shows a man carving out his own future and character. Can You Hear Me Now? is Bobbie Carlyle's second contribution to the heARTS of LYONS program.Bobbie Carlyle's prolific gallery of work can be viewed on her website, http://www.bobbiecarlylesculpture.com/This piece was curated and placed by the Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission.

Bobbie lives life to the fullest. She sees the positive in every situation and learns from it. Bobbie's inner strength, depth and intelligence are reflected in her bronze sculptures.

Can You Hear Me Now? Bobbie Carlyle 

"You've got mail" is a fun piece by Lyons youth artist Simone Paterno. She created this addition to the area around the Lyons post office as part of the Creative Outlets project in 2023. Her work has included other murals and visual art and can be seen at i2soul.com

You've Got Mail, Creative Outlets 2023 by Simone Paterno

"As time goes by I find myself really giving into art more and more, accepting both the challenges and the incredible grace it brings." Charlotte ZinkPoisson and Mermaid are two sculptural chairs that have been placed to welcome visitors into Lyons' downtown district. They capture the whimsical, artistic nature of the Lyons art community and add a splash of color to the historic street. If you are resting on one of these sculptures, you can see Lyons historic Methodist Church which was built in 1908. Looking a block over you can see the Lyons Redstone Museum which is housed in the 1881 Schoolhouse. Zink Metal Art's two aquatic-themed chairs create a place on the corner of Main Street where modern creativity melds with Lyons' history. To learn more about Lyons' historic buildings and downtown, take the Lyons Historic District Walking Tour hosted on this app.Poisson and Mermaid are just two sculptures that Zink Metal Art has placed in Lyons. The Zinks have been participating in the heARTs of Lyons program for many years. Zink Metal Art is based in Berthoud, Colorado, and is the combined creative effort of Charlotte and her husband Ben.Charlotte Zink was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. After studying art in Boulder, she decided to make Colorado her home. Drawing has been an important part of her life for as long as she can remember and she uses art to express her inner visions and thoughts. She has worked in watercolor, mask making, and papermaking. Currently, her focus is painting and sculpture."Ben cuts most of our designs with a handheld plasma cutter, and we work together on our different finishes. Collaborating on sculpture designs, layouts, finishing, and installation has taught us both so very much about the art process and ourselves. We’re proud to have created an extensive body of work these many years; both small and large-scale pieces in private and public collections worldwide."Zink Metal Art has sculptures in towns across Colorado including Fort Collins, Evergreen, Avon, Castle Rock, Lakewood, and Monument. See their public art portfolio on their website to find out where you can see more of their metal art!This piece was curated and placed by the Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission and currently offers great seating in front of the Lyons Regional Library

"I offer a fluid, feminine sense of design and form to the metal, and Ben works as our solid fabricator and engineer. Sometimes I’ve sketched and reflected on the subject matter before I begin drawing on the metal, and other times I enjoy letting my unconscious guide the images, shapes and forms that emerge." Charlotte Zink

Poisson and Mermaid by Charlotte & Ben Zink

Charlotte and Ben Zink are the founders of Zink Metal Art in Berthoud, Colorado. They have been creating an extensive portfolio and contributing to the heARTS of LYONS program for several years. Their work is featured in towns throughout Colorado. Auspicious Fortune was placed on Lyons Main Street. The Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission felt that the fish represented an important aspect of Lyons' local ecology. The 2013 flood devastated the area and the ecologies that are dependent on the St. Vrain River. The trout population was decimated after the flood and the town worked hard to rebuild it. The local Lyons Elementary School created a trout hatchery program to help rebuild the local trout population. In April of 2021, a gasoline tanker crashed on US-36 spilling into the St. Vrain River killing a significant portion of the trout that has been raised and released into the river. Zink Metal Art's Auspicious Fortune was curated and placed to symbolize the importance of our local ecology and to bring fortune to the redevelopment and preservation of nature and wildlife in the area. This sculpture is a part of the heARTS of LYONS program.

"Collaborating on sculpture designs, layouts, finishing, and installation has taught us both so very much about the art process and ourselves. We’re proud to have created an extensive body of work these many years; both small and large scale pieces in private and public collections worldwide." Charlotte Zink

Auspicious Fortune by Charlotte and Ben Zink

After the new Lyons Regional Library opened in 2020, the Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission hired a muralist through the Creative Outlets program to add something beautiful to the library's utility box. The Creative Outlets program is funded through the Lyons Community Foundation. Julia, an illustrator and muralist, chose to create a mural incorporating vibrant aspens, a Stellar's Jay, and a mountain lion. Every fall Stellar's Jays migrate through Lyons, spending a few weeks collecting food before moving on to lower elevations. The mountain lion is also an important part of Lyons' local ecology. Mountain Lions are native to the cliffs and ridges that surround the town. It is not uncommon for residents to catch sight of the large cats on their wildlife cameras. The utility box next to the Lyons Regional Library captures the spirit of nature that surrounds the Lyons Community. Julia, who tags her work The Designosaur is a Denver based artist who has created murals throughout the state. Visit her website, https://www.thedesignosaur.com/, to see her portfolio of murals and illustrations.

"Whether I'm using neon colors in digital space or spraypainting on the side of a building, I find purpose in making beautiful things that affect and inspire people." Julia, The Designosaur

Creative Outlets by The Designosaur 

Ursa Libris was commissioned and sponsored by the Lyons Regional Library and Anita Miller. It was created by renowned Lyons artist Anita Miller. The bear and boy were created to convey the joy of imagination and reading.Anita Miller has been featured in a Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission and Lyons Regional Library tandem art show where she displayed work in other mediums. "I began my artistic studies with drawing, then moved to oil painting, pastels and watercolor. In 2014 I began to study sculpture which now competes with my love of painting. Stone carving, bronze and ceramics have opened a new path in my artistic journey. I also love plein air painting which deepens my experience of the beauty around me. I have painted across the US and in France, Italy, Ireland, Greece, Denmark and England. Currently, I'm working on a large bear and boy which depicts the joy of imagination and reading."Anita Miller is known for her Eyes of Freedom sculpture."In 2005, 22 Marines and one Navy corpsman were killed in Iraq. As an artist, I felt a calling to respond but had no idea how I could help. A couple of months later, I was awakened during the night by a vision of a traveling memorial. After 2 1/2 years, the work was completed and installed in the Ohio Statehouse Rotunda, just as I had seen it in my vision. I worked with the families of the fallen to insure the likeness of each man. The families began to say they felt their sons were still on a mission to serve their brothers, this time on a mission of healing. The memorial now has a full-time staff that brings the work all around the country, visiting over 275 venues over the last 13 years. Its mission is to honor the service and sacrifice of all who answer our Nation's call. Silent Battle is my recent addition to the Memorial. The bronze illustrates the struggles many veterans have with post-traumatic stress and suicide. You can see more in-depth information as well as the touring schedule and how to host the Memorial at EyesofFreedom.org."

"I am inspired by the beauty of the Rocky Mountains." Anita Miller

Ursa Libris 

Pink Woman by Keith Stuart is carved from pink alabaster. Pink Woman in Town Hall's courtyard. This gathering place is surrounded by local flora that is tended by the Lyons Garden Club. Town Hall courtyard is across the street from the entrance to LaVern Johnson Park and provides a shady place for visitors to relax. Keith Stuart's Pink Woman is an important addition to this space. The flowing lines and soft color of the sculpture complement the blooms that fill the courtyard throughout the spring and summer.

Pink Woman by Keith Stuart was donated to the Town of Lyons by the Tom and Melinda Wunder family.

Pink Woman by Keith Stuart 

The Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission worked with internationally renowned artists Android Jones to create a mural on Lyons Town Hall that captured the natural beauty and culture of Lyons. Android Jones worked closely with town staff and the Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission to incorporate themes that represented the nature and animals that surround the Lyons community. Every inch of the mural weaves in a new aspect of the local flora and fauna and the spirit of the Lyons community.Android Jones was born and raised in Lyons and is a digital painter. His work has been projected on the Sydney Opera House and the Empire State Building. He is known for his live performances that use a custom-built digital setup. He has traveled the world to exhibit his work and has participated in events on six continents. He is a long-standing member of the Burning Man community and participated in the Grateful Dead Fare Thee Well tour.You can see more of his work on his website at: https://androidjones.com/

"I have seen things in this life that I am incapable of translating into words. In my practice, I have visited realms where the imagination ends, and the terrifying beauty of infinity unfolds over and over again.If I could distill into words exactly what motivates me to create the art that I make then it would not be worth making it. Instead, I have chosen the Pen.Honestly, I don’t know why I make this art, or what compels me to keep creating it; it’s a mystery I intend to pursue for the rest of my life, and each image brings me closer to the Ultimate Truth.” -Android Jones, 2013

Lyons Town Hall Mural by Android Jones 

Pines Cones are sandstone sculptures created by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Landscape-Company/Blue-Mountain-Stone-inc-215019108674456/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blue Mountain Stone</a>, a sandstone quarry in Lyons Colorado.

Thomas Merton famously said, "Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time." Art in public spaces welcomes the community to experience the joys of art in their daily lives. 

Pine Cones by Blue Mountain Stone 

More than 70 Lyons citizens worked to create the mural on two panels. It was dedicated in June, 2003. Many Lyons businesses and individuals supported the collaborative community art project. More information on the process is available at the Lyons Redstone Museum. Cat Russel, of Spike Productions, produced a video on the mural project, which is available at the Lyons Regional Library and the Lyons Redstone Museum.

Lyons Mural; Past, Present, and Future is on the side of the Town of Lyons Visitor Center in Sandstone Park. The mural is the work of Cathy Rivers and Candace Shepard. They worked closely with the Lyons Golden Gang Seniors, Lyons Generationally Active People (GAP), and Lyons Middle/Senior High students to develop the core idea and images. 

Lyons Mural; Past, Present, and Future

Charlotte was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, coming to Colorado in 1987. She earned a BA in Studio Arts &amp; Art Education from CU, Boulder. In years past I’ve enjoyed working in watercolor, mask making and handmade paper. Since 1998 my artwork focus has been painting and sculpting with the assistance of my husband, Ben; together we work as Zink Metal Art.Her statement "I offer a fluid, feminine sense of design and form to the metal, and Ben works as our solid fabricator and engineer. Sometimes I’ve sketched and reflected on the subject matter before I begin drawing on the metal, and other times I enjoy letting my unconscious guide the images, shapes and forms that emerge. Ben cuts most of our designs with a hand held plasma cutter, and we work together on our different finishes. Collaborating on sculpture designs, layouts, finishing, and installation has taught us both so very much about the art process and ourselves. We’re proud to have created an extensive body of work these many years; both small and large scale pieces in private and public collections worldwide."

"Perpetual Spring" is an addition to the heARTS of Lyons tour in 2023 and can be found in the central area of Main Street in Lyons. Prolific local sculptor and artist Charlotte Zink created this work with her husband and co-creator Ben Zink. Hailing from their studio in Berthoud, Colorado, learn more about their work at www.zinkmetalart.com

Perpetual Spring by Ben and Charlotte Zink

Lyons Gecko by Jacob Leeuwenburgh is a mixed material sculpture with metal and steel. Jacob is a longstanding member of the Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission who has dedicated years to adding new art to the community. He has worked with many artists in the heARTS of LYONS program to select and install new sculptures. As an artist, he has worked with Planet Bluegrass and the Lyons Community Foundation to create works of art for events. He is known for his colorful, engaging pieces. His Lyons Gecko is a vibrant addition to the Lyons downtown district. It is located near Oskar Blues, a Lyons institution. It welcomes visitors as they turn onto Main Street with a splash of color and whimsy. Jacob has been featured along with his partner, Ann Hall, in the Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission and Lyons Regional Library tandem art shows. He and his partner filled the Lyons Regional Library with their paintings. This sculpture was curated by the Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission.

Lyons Gecko by Jacob Leeuwenburgh

Kevin Shaffer's "transitional piece was added to the heARTS of LYONS in 2023.

The years of experience and progression in design thought has influenced Kevin’s art and design career to seek a minimalist approach; honest in the details with naturally rich materials. Kevin prefers to join art media and sustainable built environments in a way to inspire ways of living, create environmental awareness, and reduce maintenance and over-management. “For the creation of artwork, design of landscape, a building, a piece of furniture, anything… extracting the context is what inspires my creative process.”

Transitional Piece by Kevin Shaffer

Cultural Pedestrians is a work of Sue Quinlan. Sue Quinlan explores life's existential questions through sculpting artifacts and faces of ancient cultures. She is inspired by the unknown stories she sees on faces. She looks for stories behind the expressions and lines of the faces she sees. We all walk a similar circular path, but the influences of culture and experience can be seen on the surface.

Cultural Pedestrians is proudly sponsored by Smokin Dave's BBQ and can be viewed in front of this business.

Cultural Pedestrians by Sue Quinlan

From Bliss Custom Metalwork:"Jodie Bliss works primarily in hand forged metals, from mild steel to copper, brass, bronze and stainless. Her focus is on creating beautiful and compelling artwork through research and development of an idea or concept, design and finally execution. She creates everything from fine art sculpture to custom sculpture, artful security doors, gates, signage, railings, fences, home decor, furniture &amp; more made to specification.Jodie holds a Masters Degree in Fine Art Sculpture as well as a Bachelors in Creative Writing. Her love for the written word, in combination with her fascination with the human mind are two of the major driving forces behind the development of her ideas.Jodie can be found showing her work at juried fine art shows across the nation, from Miami to San Francisco, Aspen, Jackson Hole and many more. Her public sculpture can be seen in Colorado Springs, Monument &amp; Denver - CO, and Salina - KS. She has created custom work for private clients in Colorado, Belize and Germany."

Muse of Art by Jodie Bliss.This piece is sponsored by Smokin' Dave's BBQ and Grill and can be viewed in front of this business.See more of Jodie Bliss's work on her webpage Bliss Studio Custom Metalwork: http://www.forgeyourbliss.com/

Muse of Art by Jodie Bliss

The Clarifier Community Mosaic represents "Lyons, Colorado Community art in action." For more information on the project visit The Clarifier project's <a href="https://clarifierproject.net/" target="_blank">website.</a>

The Clarifier Project involved the Lyons community. The project was started in 2006 and after the creation of the Lyons Mural 'Lyons Past Present and Future. In 2010, they began covering the entire 900 square foot surface of the structure. 

Clarifier Community Mosaic 

Guardian by Eileen Coughlin Turnbull Eileen Coughlin Turnbull uses many different mediums to cast her sculptures. She is a hiker and uses nature to influence her work. View more of her work on her <a href="https://coughlinturnbullart.com/" target="_blank">website.</a> This piece was curated and placed by the <a href="http://www.townoflyons.com/181/Lyons-Arts-Humanities-Commission" target="_blank">Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission</a>.

"I believe that working in a single medium is restrictive to my artistic process. Each idea manifests in its own individual style." Eileen Coughlin Turnbull 

Guardian by Eileen Coughlin Turnbull 

On September 11, 2020 – the seventh anniversary of the 2013 flood – the Bell of Renewal was installed along the South St. Vrain Creek, at the north end of the Bohn Park pedestrian bridge. The sculpture’s concept was born in 2018, when the Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission (LAHC) began working with a team of local artists, <a href="https://anitamillerartist.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Anita Miller</a> and <a href="https://www.sculpturebyjgmoore.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">James G. Moore</a>, to build a unique sculpture that would symbolize Lyons’ grit and resiliency. The bronze sculpture depicts a bell suspended from a tree branch, upon which a great horned owl with outstretched wings is perched. The bell showcases natural scenes in relief, including the iconic local Steamboat Mountain. The piece beautifully represents the nature in which Lyons thrives and memorializes the strength of the community through recovery. The piece features a functioning bell that passersby are invited to ring. Funding for the Bell of Renewal was provided by the Board of Trustees and independent funders. The sculpture is part of the heARTS of Lyons Outdoor Public Art Collection as Legacy artwork – a permanent addition to the Town’s public art collection.

In September of 2013, Lyons, Colorado was devastated by a historic flood. Anita Miller and James Moore worked with the Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission to create a work of art that embodied Lyons grit and resiliency. 

The Bell of Renewal 

BUBU is a sculptural bench created by Tree Sky EcoArt and placed in the Rocky Mountain Botanic Gardens. Tree Sky EcoArts melds artistic vision with environmental sustainability. Artist and designer Renata Hromadkova and arborist Vit Hromadkova recycle wood and create functional artwork. BUBU is placed in an area that was washed away by the 2013 flood. Bohn Park, the areas surrounding the St. Vrain River, and the confluence were devastated by the heavy rains and flooding. The town and volunteer groups such as the Rocky Mountain Botanic Gardens have spent years rebuilding Lyons' ecological systems in the parks and around the river. Rocky Mountain Botanic Garden was created to celebrate and preserve native plants and wildlife. The addition of BUBU to the heARTS of LYONS program and the Rocky Mountain Botanic Garden celebrates the non-profit's mission of ecological and environmental sustainability. To see more of Tree Sky EcoArt's sustainable and ethical creations, see their website www.treeskyecoart.com! This work is part of the heARTS of LYONS - An Outdoor Art Collection All Over Town program

"We build uniquely stunning and functional furniture with upcycled urban wood for environmentally conscious customers.Our mission is to inspire every person to do their part in eliminating deforestation, which can save old-growth forests, the rainforests, and the planet."BUBU was sourced and made in Boulder, CO using Red Oak (Quercus rubra).

BUBU by Tree Sky EcoArt

Elyria is a sculptural bench with a shape that is reminiscent of a bicycle seat. The Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission (LAHC) selected this piece to add to the heARTS of LYONS program because it captures the community's love of the outdoors and represents the importance of preserving the nature that surrounds the Lyons.Elyria was placed in the Rocky Mountain Botanic Gardens near Bohn Park. Rocky Mountain Botanic Gardens is a non-profit organization that was formed "to foster an understanding and an appreciation of our Rocky Mountain native plants and wildlife, and to create a place where Lyons locals and all visitors to the garden of all ages can learn, and enjoy the peace and beauty of the natural world." The LAHC and the Rocky Mountain Botanic Gardens felt that Elyria fit perfectly with their mission and created a relaxing space for people to enjoy both sculpture and nature.Tree Sky EcoArt was created by environmental artists Renata and Vit Hromadkova. Renata is a self-taught artist with a background in interior design and industrial woodworking. Renata works with her husband Vit, an arborist, to save trees destined for the landfill and repurpose them into sculptural furniture.“Why import wood, which supports the destruction of rainforests and clearing old growth trees, when you can have quality, locally sourced urban wood? Every decision about materials matters. There is a human and environmental cost in the widespread destruction and transportation of trees from deforested communities.” Renata HromadkovaTree Sky EcoArt combines the creation of art with ecological and environmental sustainability. See Tree Sky EcoArt's website to learn more about their creations!This work is part of the heARTS of LYONS - An Outdoor Art Collection All Over Town programTo learn more go to: www.treeskyboulder.com

"We build uniquely stunning and functional furniture with upcycled urban wood for environmentally conscious customers.Our mission is to inspire every person to do their part in eliminating deforestation, which can save old-growth forests, the rainforests, and the planet."Elyria was sourced and made in Boulder, CO from Plains Cottonwood and populous deltoids.

Elyria by Tree Sky EcoArt

This utility box was the first addition to Lyons Creative Outlets program. In the years since, the Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission has had four additional boxes painted in the community. The commission strives to find local artists who can turn the community's utility boxes into unique, engaging works of art. "For this project, I choose a raccoons and sunflowers, with a 3D look, so that from one angle, it will look like the raccoons are inside the crate. It will blend with the area, and the box would be painted on all sides to look like a crate, and I would continue the sunflowers around the sides, to soften the look of the crate." - Jennifer Chapparo

Creative Outlets is funded through the Lyons Community Foundation. The purpose is to take mundane community necessities, such as utility boxes, and turn them into works of art.

Creative Outlets by Jennifer Chaparro

"I studied design at MSU in Springfield, MO for a BFA, and enjoyed a year at the Kansas City Art Institute preparing for a master's in graphic design at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, VA. Professionally, I have provided creative services for law, travel, and tourism, and taught elementary school art, and advanced courses in design at Colorado State University. My design work appears in Communication Arts Magazine, American Corporate Identity, Color Management For Logos.My public art pieces have exhibited in communities along the front range in Colorado, and in Kansas, Idaho, Iowa, California.My family enjoys living in Boulder County, Colorado where we hike, bike and camp the mountains and find among them identity, inspiration and renewal."

"Mr Toolman" is slightly mysterious, yet you know him. He's a friend out for a stroll. He's always ready to join you. He's had quite a history that you can read about at:  www.justindeister.com. He met a mermaid at 20,000 leagues under the sea, swam with Claude Monet and danced on stage with Julie Andrews. Wow, what a life!Mr Toolman has exhibited in Greeley, Castle Rock, Evergreen, Northglenn, Longmont, Colorado Springs, Lafayette, Aurora."Follow Justin Deister on Instagram @justindeister

Lyons Public Art and the heARTS of LYONS, An Art Collection All Over Town

Creative Outlets by Hannah Finch-Phillips

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context

Sources