Arts and Culture
Public Art in Commerce City
Public art in Commerce City is administered by the Commerce City Cultural Council.
City art reflects community values and is for community members and visitors to enjoy. The art serves as a source of celebration and prompts new ways of inspiring conversations and reflection amongst the community.
The goal of public art is to generate community pride and contribute to the vitality of the community by enhancing the quality of life.
See the Public Art Master Plan(PDF, 1MB)
Join a public art selection committee
Help shape the future of public art in our community. The City is seeking residents to serve on Art Selection Committees for three upcoming projects:
- 96th Avenue Pedestrian Underpass
- Artwork to be installed at the pedestrian underpass at E. 96th Ave and Reunion Pkwy.
- Second Creek Farm Park
- A new park being constructed within the Second Creek Farm neighborhood, providing recreational opportunities and park amenities to the surrounding residential communities.
- Buffalo Run Golf Course
- Public art to live on the external walls of the newly expanded and renovated Buffalo Run clubhouse (Coming in 2027).
Committee members play an important role in the public art process by helping to define selection criteria, review artist submissions, and identify finalist proposals to be presented to the Cultural Council and City Council for final approval.
This is a unique opportunity to contribute your perspective and help influence the public art experienced by the entire community.
Join a Public Art Committee! Apply by May 28
Recently Completed Projects
The Commerce City Cultural Council is excited to announce two recently completed projects for new art to appear in our community.
Cocklebur Reimagined at Pioneer Park
This new piece of art celebrates Commerce City’s historical horse, Cocklebur. The concept is a 3D art installation with four steel panels spaced 8-12 inches apart designed and installed by artist Robert Bell.
Indigenous Public Art at CALU Park
Commerce City's newest park, CALU Park, honors Cheyenne, Arapaho, Lakota, and Ute Indigenous tribes in its naming. The public art for this park, a mosaic tiling by artist Marco Antonio Garcia, celebrates the Indigenous culture and heritage. The center motif is a unifying symbol of a sunburst, representing shared heritage, unity, and life force. The braided grass symbolizes interconnectedness of the four nations. The 7-foot circle represents wholeness, completeness, and the circle of life. Each tribe is represented by a symbol, color scheme, and animal. The outer ring of mountains and plains represent the land they all share.
New Cultural Council public art installed along roadways and Monaco Park
The Commerce City Cultural Council is excited to announce the installation of new artwork from ten different artists whose designs are being used to wrap ten traffic control cabinets across the city. Look out for these joyful and inspiring designs on your commute along Quebec Parkway, Highway 2 and Tower Rd.
The newly renovated Monaco Park received a brand-new mural. The mural is one of three selected designs, each will be displayed for about one year on the back of the park’s new Fitness Court. The second of the three designs is to be installed in April 2026.
2024 Winter Art Show by Community Relations
Art on Water
The Commerce City Cultural Council partnered with the South Adams County Water and Sanitation District to create a new public art effort. “Art on Water” sponsored 11 different artists to professionally paint 12 fire hydrants around the city.
Be a Part of the Action
Celebrate and protect our remarkable public art and cultural assets by reporting decay or vandalism. Report concerns about public artwork marked City of Commerce City. Contact Melissa Sumner using the contact information below.
See map that shows all public art in Commerce City.
Support our Artists!
The artists listed below have art displayed in Commerce City through our public art program. Visit their artist websites to learn more about each of their work.
Art Exhibition Program
The city hosts temporary rotating art exhibitions at its two recreation centers. Public art exhibits celebrate the work of artists (emerging and established) who live and/or work in Commerce City and wish for more exposure and audiences.
Learn more about the Art Exhibition Program
Funding
On January 5, 2015, city council passed Ordinance 2037. The ordinance requires every capital improvement project to set aside 1% of funds for the creation of public art to be placed at the project site or at any site that qualifies for a display of public art.
Contact
Questions? Contact Melissa Sumner at msumner@c3gov.com.