Two Bridges Public Art Project
Join artist David Ocelotl Garcia in his studio to see how he and his team—including the public—create a public art installation for Denver's two new bridges at the National Western Center
Welcome to this record of our process of creating of a major new landmark for Denver, Colorado. Check back frequently to see the progress.
Bienvenido a este registro del proceso de creación de un nuevo e importante lugar destacado para Denver, Colorado. Vuelva a consultar con frecuencia esta página para ver el progreso. Haga clic aquí para español.
Team Ocelotl's approach for this public art installation
Denver is getting two new bridges across the South Platte River at the National Western Center. They will carry cars and people, but will mean much more! The bridge at 51st Avenue will become the People’s Bridge of the Sun and that carrying Bettie Cram Drive will be the People’s Bridge of the Moon.
These bridges will make amazing connections to and from the National Western Center in Denver, Colorado.
In additional to making physical connections, we see the bridges connecting the Mexican heritage of many long-time—and more recent—area residents and with their larger environment and even the cosmos.
Our approach is profoundly based on engaging with you and other members of the public.
We use believe that as human beings we come from many different cultural, spiritual, and ethnic backgrounds, but ultimately are one people.
Representations of human hands (in the tree sculptures) and pottery self-portraits are integrated with other nature-inspired forms to make the bridges literally of the people—diverse people—and of this environment.
Haga clic aquí para español.
Lend a hand—your hand—to the project
Metal "leaves" for sculpture trees are being creating from hand traces made by community members. You can too! Find out how.
See how community members are helping create art
Denver families are helping create clay faces of their own. Hundreds will be permanently installed on the bridges. See them in action.
Check out the progress on the giant bronze faces
The process of sculpting the large bronze faces begins with melting special clay so it can be molded. Check it out.
Watch the creation of the mosaic-accented concrete sculptures
All of the sculptures on the two bridges will be made of concrete with mosaic highlights. Watch the process.
Dos Puentes para el pueblo (en español)
Estas instalaciones de arte en los dos puentes serán para la gente y las partes serán hechas por la gente. Aprende más.
Where the Bridges are being built
The creation of Denver's new National Western Center necessitates the construction of these two bridges.
How the vision for the bridge art has evolved
The forms you will see on the two bridges evolved from the life and work of the artist, David Ocelotl Garcia, and were influenced by the requirements of making functional bridges.
Team Ocelotl
Complex art installations such as these involve many significant participants. The Two Bridges project was no exception.
See the art installation of the Bridge of the Sun
During November and December 2022 the art for the first bridge was installed, with the bridge opening in January 2023, in time for the 2023 Stock Show.
This project was made possible through the City of Denver’s 1% for Public Art Ordinance with funds from voter approved Measure 2C (2015).
