Art and architecture lovers are invited to participate in a series of free walking and biking Public Art Tours throughout the city each summer.  These guided tours focus on small segments of the City’s Public Art Collection and give citizens and visitors the opportunity to venture inside venues such as the Ellie Caulkins Opera House and Colorado Convention Center, and outdoor venues such as Civic Center Park, to view new and historic works and hear the intimate details of their creation and installation.

The Denver Public Art Program is one of the most respected in the country, with a collection of nearly 350 pieces, found along streets, over bridges, in and around buildings old and new, in all mediums. Tours are free, but limited to 15 people each.  To reserve your place, please contact Rudi Cerri at 720-865-4307 or e-mail  rudi.cerri@denvergov.org.

2013 Public Art Tour Schedule

To RSVP for tours and for more information, please contact Rudi Cerri at  rudi.cerri@denvergov.org or 720-865-4307.

WALKING TOURS

Denver Performing Arts Complex / Colorado Convention Center – Sunday, June 23, 10am
The Denver Performing Arts Complex (DPAC) is one of the most impressive performing arts centers in the world, featuring 10 performance spaces connected by an 80-foot-tall glass canopy, and world-class art to match. Participants will learn about Stephen Batura’s epic mural “Rehearsal” in the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, with all of its fascinating characters and scintillating stories. John DeAndrea’s hyper-realistic sculptures will make you look twice – are those ballerinas breathing?  Get a new perspective on Jonathan Borofsky’s Dancers in the DPAC Sculpture Park by standing directly underneath the 60-foot sculptures and listening to the music composed by the artist himself to accompany the dancing giants.

Public Art Administrator Rudi Cerri will lead the tour, which meets at the Colorado Convention Center next to ”The Big Blue Bear” on 14th Street between Stout and California streets.
(Limited to 15 people) RSVP.


City Park – Saturday, June 29, 10am
Tour participants will visit roughly a dozen artworks including the historical sculptures and gateways of City Park, along with recent additions such as the MLK Memorial and Avian Front along the south exterior of the Denver Zoo.

Public Art Coordinator Mandy Renaud will lead the tour, which starts and ends at the Thatcher Fountain at 17th Avenue and City Park Esplanade.
(Limited to 15 people) RSVP.


Denver Civic Center / McNichols Building – Sunday, July 7, 10am
The Denver Civic Center tour, led by Pubic Art Administrator Rudi Cerri, will focus on the more than 100-year history of Denver’s public art and architecture. The tour will meet at the McNichols Building.
(Limited to 15 people) RSVP.

14th Street Public Art Tour – Sunday, Aug. 11, 10am
Tour participants will stroll along the newly improved 14th Street and view highlights some of Denver’s most iconic artwork including Laurence Argent’s I See What You Mean, aka The Big Blue Bear. Other features include artwork within the Denver Performing Arts Complex and Denver’s newest public artwork by Walczak and Heiss.

Public Art Coordinator Mandy Renaud will lead the tour, which covers about a half mile of 14th Street. The tour meets at the Wellington E. Webb building plaza at Colfax Avenue and concludes at the Denver Performing Arts Complex at Curtis Street.
(Limited to 15 people) RSVP.


Central Platte Valley – Sunday, Aug. 25, 1pm
Led Public Art Coordinator Mary Valdez, tour highlights include art at Denver Skate Park, Commons Park, and Confluence Park, and will end at the Museum of Contemporary Art. The tour will meet at the Denver Skate Park on the corner of 19th and Platte streets.  
(Limited to 15 people) RSVP.

BIKE TOURS

The popular free Denver Public Art bicycle tours will return for 2013.  The tours will last approximately two hours, with a distance of almost three miles, and make use of available bike routes and paths.

*All participants are required to wear appropriate safety gear, including a helmet.  Participants must sign a release form and will need to provide their own bike, water, food and repair kits.
 

Central Platte Valley – Sunday, June 30, 10 am
The tour, led by Central Platte Valley Metropolitan District President Amy Cara and Public Art Administrator Rudi Cerri, will focus on the artwork and redevelopment of the Platte Valley and Union Station. This tour will meet at The Red Forest, the sculpture at the base of the Millennium Bridge (west side, by Commons Park) at 16th and Little Raven streets.
(Limited to 15 people) RSVP.


Downtown Denver – Sunday, Sept. 8, 10 am
Led by Public Art Administrator Rudi Cerri, tour highlights include artwork at Denver Skate Park, Commons Park, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Colorado Convention Center. The tour meets at City of Cuernavaca Park, located at 20th and Platte streets, at the pavilion across from the parking lot.
(Limited to 15 people) RSVP.

Download a Bike Tour Map.

Self Guided Tours

It might sound like science-fiction, but it's called Augmented Reality, and it's the addition of information to the world around you. Using a free program on your iPhone, Android or other smartphone, you can see public art points of interest as layers on top of the world you see. Find out more...

Phonecasts

Denver's Public Art Program is offering Public Art Phonecasts of our most popular artworks. From any phone, dial 1-877-336-2787 (1-877-DEN-ARTS) to hear short interviews with the artists talking about their works.