Outdoor Sculpture Purchase for Benson Sculpture Garden

Loveland High Plains Arts Council is accepting submissions for life-size or larger outdoor sculptures to add to the permanent collection at Benson Sculpture Garden. The organization prefers bronze pieces but also considers stone, metal, or other durable, permanent materials that can withstand year-round Colorado weather conditions and unsupervised public interaction. Pieces produced by reputable and well-established US facilities are preferred, with a three-year warranty on workmanship, durability, and materials expected from the artist. All sculptures in the collection are professionally inspected, cleaned, and maintained annually.

Benson Sculpture Garden, located at 2908 Aspen Drive in Loveland, Colorado, has showcased sculpture since 1985 and currently displays 187 pieces worth over $5.5 million. The 10-acre park is open to the public year-round at no admission fee and includes handicap accessible sidewalks, gardens, ponds, wetland features, public restrooms, and picnic areas. An additional 27 sculptures are located at Benson Sculpture Garden at North Lake Park, established in 2015. The garden has been recognized as one of the 200 most important modern and contemporary art sites worldwide and is the #1 attraction for Loveland on TripAdvisor.

Submissions must include a 1-2 page resume and 3 images per piece showing front, back, and side views. Artists may submit up to 3 different pieces. The entry deadline is November 18, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. MST. Final selection occurs by December 31, 2024, with final approval by the City of Loveland's Visual Arts Commission by February 6, 2025. Installation is scheduled for July 2025. Normally 4 to 6 new sculptures are added annually. Open to sculptors age 18 and older working in permanent media suitable for outdoor installation.