Cocklebur Reimagined at Pioneer Park - Commerce City

The City of Commerce City and the Commerce City Cultural Council are seeking to purchase artwork from Colorado artists or artists who reside in the Colorado Region (Colorado and neighboring states of Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona). The artwork will be placed at the high-traffic corner of 60th and Monaco at Pioneer Park in Commerce City, CO. Local and regional artists will be prioritized in the selection.

The artwork should pay tribute to the previous equine statue that honored Cocklebur, a horse owned by the Conter family. The Conter family owned the land that Pioneer Park now sits on. Cocklebur was the horse of Catherine Conter, who was reprimanded by the city for keeping the horse on her property in the 1970s. The horse became a symbol for defiance and was eventually welcomed back to the farm property. Cocklebur and Catherine spent more than 18 years together. The artwork should differ from the original statue design, as previous renditions have been stolen from the site. Open to various mediums including stonework, metalwork, mural wraps, and others.

The art selection committee seeks artwork that honors the community's historical horse, celebrates the natural history of the area and Commerce City community unity, evokes joy and delight, and has a pleasing and uplifting effect on viewers. The artwork should be appropriate for all ages and difficult to remove from the site. The total art budget is up to $20,000, inclusive of all costs including artist fees, artwork, and installation. The artist is expected to work with the city to determine specifications. Applicants must submit a maximum of five digital images of artwork and an artist statement through the CaFÉ online application system. There is no application fee. Deadline for submission is Thursday, April 17, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. MST. Additional historical information can be found through the Commerce City Cultural and Historical Society at www.cchistoric.com.