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When the Regional Transportation District ("RTD") expanded the commuter rail system into Thornton, the city and RTD collaboratively decided to install unique pieces of public art at each station. Sculptures were installed at the 88th Ave, 104th Ave, and 124th Ave. stations as part of this project."Urban Trees" was designed to remind viewers of the connection between urban life and nature. The sculptures are installed high on a wall that divides the , and help create a unique identity for each RTD station. The Thornton Crossroads/104th Ave. station is served by the N-Line commuter train and local bus routes. The station opened in September of 2020.

"Urban Trees" is a series of three stylized steel trees with red, yellow, and green acrylic leaves. The tree branches curve away from the wall they are mounted on, allowing the acrylic leaves to cast colorful shadows. "Urban Trees" was created by Chris "C.J". Rench of Hood River, OR.The sculptures provide visual interest to the Thornton Crossroads/104th Ave. commuter rail station.

Urban Trees

A self-guided, driving tour visiting select art installed by the City of Thornton since 2020.

Addresses and GPS coordinates are accurate and may be used with this website's navigation, or a maps app of your choice. An additional printable map is also available on the City of Thornton's website at: https://www.thorntonco.gov/community-culture/festivals-events/arts-thornton-public-art-tour  

"A Contemplation on Peace" was designed to replace a previous "Peace Wall" that utilized the same curving, cement form. The original "Peace Wall" had small, ceramic tiles with art painted by city residents and staff, and was created in response to September 11th. The original wall utilized materials that were not designed for outdoor applications, and the tiles experienced significant damage from the Colorado weather, including crumbling, separating glaze, and falling off the wall. When the "Peace Wall" could no longer be adequately restored or maintained, it was decommissioned (2022).The new "A Contemplation on Peace" utilizes the original cement wall. The artist collaborated with the Thornton community, having residents share their answers to "what does peace mean to you?". Community responses included several different languages; a professional translator helped translate additional responses into the most common languages spoken by Thornton residents.The text responses to "what does peace mean to you?" were integrated into the artist's design. Images of humans and native flowers are visible on both sides of the sculpture.Artist Kemba Opio provided this statement about the art:"The inspiration for “A Contemplation on Peace” Thornton Peace Wall Public Art was a contemporary approach to re-imagining the original 2003 piece created in response to the September 11th attacks. The wall aimed to serve as a reminder then and now that peace begins at home. This re-imaged peace wall directly reflects the diverse community of Thornton through the figurative imagery and text of some of the multiple languages spoken within the community. Text all translated from the quote, “Peace is harmony and respect in spite of differences.” A selected quote from a community member through the community engagement portion of this project.As the artist, I found inspiration through this being a collaborative process of blending different ideas, subject matters and materials integrated to provide space to allow the viewer to think about, 'What does peace mean to them?'"

"A Contemplation on Peace" is a metal sculpture with cutouts revealing brightly colored painted images. The piece is by Kemba Opio of Austin, TX. The sculpture can be viewed on the east side of the Margaret Carpenter Recreation Center parking lot in Thornton, Colorado.The sculpture is two-sided, with each side measuring 28' in length. The side facing the parking lot (east/southeast) has words in multiple languages. The side facing Colorado Blvd. (west/northwest) has images only.The art was completed in June 2023.

A Contemplation on Peace

This public art project was conceived in 2019 and was planned to coincide with the renovation of the Margaret Carpenter Recreation Center. A volunteer public art subcommittee reviewed artist proposals, and recommended the artist Seth Palmiter for the project. The subcommittee and subsequent Thornton Arts, Sciences, and Humanities Council recommendations were received by City Council, which approved the project."Thornton SkyDance" is designed specifically for the atrium space, filling the vaulted ceiling area as it curves between lights, HVAC ducts, and architectural elements."Thornton SkyDance" was completed in spring of 2024, with an official ribbon cutting celebration for the art in July of 2024.

"Thornton SkyDance" is a large, curving sculpture suspended from the ceiling of the Carpenter Recreation Center atrium. The sculpture is made of steel tubing with colorful acrylic elements and hanging Swarovski crystal elements. The sculpture is mainly illuminated by natural light, with five built-in LED lights providing subtle lighting during darker times of day. The sculpture was created by Seth Palmiter of Rockport, ME.

Thornton SkyDance

As the Regional Transportation District ("RTD") expanded commuter rail lines into Thornton, the City and RTD decided to install unique pieces of large-scale public art at each station. The art is designed to add a sense of identity to each of the transportation hubs."Bloom" stands 15' tall, and is installed in the bus roundabout/traffic circle on the southwest side of the RTD station. The sculpture is designed to promote a sense of discovery and timelessness, while also serving as a visible landmark for anyone approaching the Original Thornton/88th Ave. station. On sunny days, light shines through the acrylic flower petals, casting bright colors upon the ground.

"Bloom" is a large sculpture standing in the bus loop on the southwest side of the Original Thornton/88th Ave. public transportation station. The sculpture is made of metal with a white finish, with brightly colored acrylic insets. Two overlapping circles form the curving stems of its base, and a colorful flower "blossoms" on top of the sculpture. "Bloom" was created by artist Chris "C.J." Rench of Hood River, OR.

Bloom

This aquatic mural ("Untitled") was painted by Patrick Maxcy and completed in June of 2021. The artist chose ocean animals specifically for this landlocked Colorado location, as these creatures can spark the imagination of local children as they play in the pool. The images are all friendly and slightly cartoonish in nature - friendly and welcoming for pool visitors.The mural was completed in June of 2021. Its lighthearted attitude is a direct contrast to the prior 16 months of the COVID-19 pandemic.The artist has painted additional ocean-themed murals in other metro Denver locations. Thornton's City Pool "Untitled" mural expands this imaginary ocean into the north suburbs.Thornton's City Pool is found in the original Thornton subdivision and was built in 1957. The pool and nearby Community Park were founded thanks to work by the Thornton Community Association and the Thornton Women’s Club. A tile mosaic commemorating the Thornton Women’s Club can be seen at the entrance of the pool.

This "Untitled" mural is by artist Patrick Maxcy formerly of Arvada, CO. The mural features brightly painted ocean animals including whales, sharks, octopuses, jellyfish, and other smaller creatures. The mural wraps around the front entrance of Thornton's City Pool, continuing across the outdoor entrance to the changing rooms, with additional animals being painted on an outbuilding on the west side of the pool area.

Untitled (City Pool Mural)

The "Butterfly Totems" are a set of three sculptures made of concrete, steel, and 3D printed plastic. The sculptures were originally designed for placement next to a playground, but were relocated to a more visible area following acts of vandalism. The "Butterfly Totems" currently sit next to the entrance to the Thornton Arts and Culture Center classroom.Woodard's other "pollinator habitats" were designed to support moths, bumble bees, and leaf cutter bees native to Adams County, Colorado. Though each set of pollinator habitat sculptures has a distinct style, Woodard used the same materials for all the sculptures, creating a sense of unity across the project.

"Butterfly Totems" is one of four "pollinator habitat" sculpture installations made by Andrew Woodard of Santa Fe, NM.The sculptures are made of cast concrete, painted steel, and a 3D printed lattice, and were designed to provide space for caterpillars, cocoons, and butterflies to have safe refuge. The design was made specifically for native butterfly species.

Pollinator Habitats - Butterfly Totems

The City of Thornton, CO purchased the land that would become Sky Park in 2019. In collaboration with students from the nearby STEM Launch school, the City planned a park that would have astronomy elements, including a outer space themed playground equipment and a sculpture that would incorporate science. The park has additional community gathering spaces and Thornton's first soccer pitch."Periodic Reflection" utilizes precise, interlocking elements to create a cube, which is then rotated onto a corner as if it is immune to gravity. The small squares are chrome-plated, and create a multi-layered view of the reflected sky and earth. As viewers move around the sculpture, the alignment of the mirrored elements changes, creating an almost rippling optical effect."Periodic Reflection" was Pneuhaus Studios' first public art sculpture.

"Periodic Reflection" was created by Pneuhaus Studios of Rumford, RI. The sculpture is a 5' cube consisting of a lattice of interlocking chrome-plated squares, and is elevated above the ground by a 6' pole. "Periodic Reflection" reflects different views of the surrounding park, people, and sky, depending on viewer's angle.

Periodic Reflection

"RAE" stands at the edge of the City of Thornton, providing a sense of identity as travelers move from one suburb to the next. The sculpture stands on three metal legs which elevate it above surrounding landscaping, while also providing a strong structural base to withstand Colorado wind and weather."RAE" stands for The Robotic Art Experience. The artist explains that 3D printers are large robots, and that in creating this 3D printed sculpture, robots were creating art.The sculpture's design is inspired by shapes found in nature. The gently curving shapes of the 3D printed upper section are similar to shapes found in plants, animals, and the surrounding natural world.The sculpture's colors gracefully blend from deep blues to rich purples and radiant pinks, and were chosen by Thornton City Council. This color palette was inspired by Colorado's sunsets. As the surrounding area fills with commercial developments, the sculpture is not overshadowed by the brightly colored signs indicating fast food, gas, hotels, and other businesses.

"RAE", short for The Robotic Art Experience, was created by artist Volkan Alkanoglu (V/A DESIGN) of Portland, OR. The sculpture is located at the median at E. 136th Ave. and I-25; the address provided for this entry is an approximation for driving purposes."RAE" is 3D printed sculpture standing on three metal legs. Its shapes are inspired by shapes found in nature, from veins of a leaf, to paths taken by wildlife. The colors were inspired by Colorado's legendary sunsets.

In 2020, the City of Thornton began to search for artists to create sculptures for the newly expanded commuter rail service. The project was part of the amended Regional Transportation District (RTD) agreement to support the vision of "art-in-transit".The two sculptures at the East. 124th Ave. Station were fully funded by the RTD.The "Muse of Earth" sculpture is made of many small pieces of metal welded together to create a female figure, tree, and sun. The sculpture consists of many small, intricately detailed pieces with different textures and color finishes.The two sculptures are part of a larger "Muse" series created by the artist.

"Muse of Earth" was installed at Thornton's northernmost commuter rail station (Eastlake/124th Ave.) when the transit station opened in 2022. The sculpture is by artist Jodie Bliss of Monument, Colorado. Together with "Muse of Water", the two metal sculptures flank a pedestrian walkway that leads to the train boarding area.

Muse of Earth

In 2020, the City of Thornton began to search for artists to create sculptures for the newly expanded commuter rail service. The project was part of the amended Regional Transportation District (RTD) agreement to support the vision of "art-in-transit".The two sculptures at the East. 124th Ave. Station were fully funded by the RTD.The "Muse of Water" sculpture is made of many small pieces of metal welded together to create a female figure, tree, and sun. The sculpture consists of many small, intricately detailed pieces with different textures and color finishes.The two sculptures are part of a larger "Muse" series created by the artist.

"Muse of Water" depicts a curving figure topped with rainclouds and a silvery orb. The sculpture was created by artist Jodie Bliss of Monument, Colorado, and is located directly south from the "Muse of Earth" sculpture. This pair of sculptures clank the main pedestrian walkway to the E. 124th Ave. commuter rail boarding area.

Muse of Water

The artists shared the following about the sculpture:"An aperture is an opening, hole, or gap. It primarily references one in which light passes through for use with light, such as in photography. Our work, Aperture, specifically references one in which the opening is used for acoustic purposes. Conceptually we combined the amazing geologic features for which Colorado is known, with acoustics and aural observations. Imagine what the natural world may sound like from the center of a rock formation? The cylindrical interior of Aperture is meant to do just that. It is meant for a viewer, or listener, to enter into the interior of the sculpture and listen. Listen as the curved surfaces reflect and concentrate the sounds of the natural environment into that space, activated by geometry and acoustic principles. This acoustical environment is unique to this space within an additional visual, sculptural experience. Aperture is intended to be a cross-modal visual and aural experience."

"Aperture" is a three-part sculpture in the roundabout in front of Thornton's Trail Winds Recreation Center. The sculpture is by Owens + Crawley, LLC of Indianapolis, IN. "Aperture" consists of three abstracted mountain forms made of aluminum and colorful acrylic elements and includes internal lighting elements. A round, central space between the three forms changes and amplifies ambient sounds, creating public art that is both visual and aural.

Aperture

When Thornton designed a new Active Adult Center, public art was included in the vision. "Skywards" was selected for its ability to interest and engage viewers of all ages, and for its creative fusion of art and science.The flower petals are made of stainless steel cut into the same leafy patterns found throughout the interior of the Active Adult Center. The petals have dichroic glass which reflects and transmits light in unique ways depending on the viewing angle. The petals can appear shades of green, blue, purple, or pink when viewed from below, and cast colorful shadows onto the ground below the sculpture.The flower has internal LED lighting to provide a colorful experience after dark, as well.This is Thornton's first sculpture by an international artist.

"Skywards" was created by Skunk Control artist group from Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia, and can be seen near the main entrance of Thornton's Active Adult Center. The sculpture depicts a flower, its long stem rising above the building. The flower is made of white powder-coated stainless steel, with the flower petals having dichroic glass elements.

Thornton Public Art Tour - 2024

Urban Trees

Introduction

Images

Backstory and Context