October 9, 2006 Loveland Colorado known for decades as the sweetheart city because of it's country wide re-stamping and mailing of Valentine's cards, is now becoming quite well known as a sculpture center. For over 24 years the Loveland High Plains Council has been having the annual Sculpture in the Park in August. This event has become known as one of the highest rated juried exhibitions of three-dimensional artwork in the United States.

For Fifteen years the Loveland Sculpture Show has been held on the shores of Lake Loveland in August. At this show over 3500 sculptures of all sizes and mediums are shown. In 1985 The City of Loveland was the first city in Colorado to adopt an Art in Public Places ordinance, designating one percent of the cities capital construction projects over $50,000 for the purchase of art, sculpture and 2-dimensional art work to adorn public buildings, parks and public places.

Currently the collection is valued at over $6,000,000 and 83%  of the total value was donated by organizations and individuals. Within the collection there are presently 269 individual pieces with the main emphasis on Bronze Sculptures.

Almost every park and public square regardless of size is the home to sculptured art. Sculpture Park and Library Park along with The Centerra Shopping areas are the showcase of the largest numbers  of pieces which are easy to get to and view. Also many of the pieces reside on street corners.

The Benson Sculpture Park is centered with a wetlands lake which is fed by a small water way or creek. The sculptures are displayed all the way around the park, which can be easily accessed from any side with on street parking. Paved paths take the visitor around and there are some great bridges, wall and places to sit along the way.

The sculptures are exhibited in the standard way, on top of pedestals, while others are hidden in the wetland weeds and nestled along waterway banks. There are some just on the ground like the large alligator resting in the sand. Kids are the subject of many pieces, ever one of which seems to be enjoying themselves immensely. Further there is a large collection of animals including bears, wolves, sheep goats, eagles, and lions. Not to mention the people, thinkers, ladies, cowboys, dancers, lovers, musicians and native americans.

When you want to rest you can sit on a bench next to a bronze  man or on a wall next to a ladies group made of bronze. There is a gazebo for weddings and other celebrations and plenty of grass to sit, eat or play on.

Why Loveland Colorado you may ask. And a good question it would be. Actually it seems no one really knows which came first the artists or the castors which make the finished work. Much credit goes to Art Castings of Colorado that opened in 1972 well before the shows started and fame arrived.

A man by the name of George Walbye and friends started the first show in the 80's and it just grew from there. With the involvement of the High Plains Council and Sculpture Invitational it has grown even more. In 2006 the edition of the Chapunga Gallery and Sculpture Park located in the Promenade Shops it will get even more national exposure. We also have some photos we have added and are taking more as we speak.