New Public Art Displays Tackle Societal Issues and Celebrate Broomfield’s Natural Resources

By Kristen Beckman

At the intersection of Hwy 128 and U.S. 287, eight murals painted on a brick wall invite observers to contemplate some of the topics we face as a community and society today.

At the intersection of Hwy 128 and U.S. 287, eight murals painted on a brick wall invite observers to contemplate some of the topics we face as a community and society today.

The murals touch a range of emotions through color, symbols, and designs. A central mural that includes a butterfly surrounding a semi-colon - a symbol popularly used to denote suicide survival - proclaims ‘You Matter’ in bright and hopeful text. The mural was created by an artist personally touched by suicide. Another mural depicts a figure standing alone near a fence, evoking feelings of loneliness.

“The mural I painted illustrates a blue monochromatic silhouette standing in front of a fence,” said artist Haley Ekstrand. “The meaning behind it is the idea of feeling lost and stuck, something that is very common to feel with depression and anxiety. I was so excited to participate in this project not only to help people feel like they are not alone with their battle but to inspire other young artists that they can achieve any goals they have.”

The murals are a project created by the Broomfield Public Art Committee to bring conversation, representation, and awareness to complex issues of mental health, diversity, suicide prevention, and inclusion. Each mural is designed to stand as a unique piece of art, separated by structural pillars between each section, but also fitting together in a cohesive narrative.

“My mural uses Gestalt concepts to paint a picture of people coming together to establish clear lines of communication,” said artist Lewis Neeff. “I chose my colors to be timeless, based off of old food labels and advertisements. I wanted to make something that was engaging across scale and its meaning easily read. Right now it is so important that we communicate clearly on next steps.”

Following a call for entries, the committee received 57 submissions from a range of artists - from first-time applicants to experienced muralists - and selected eight finalists to create murals. The committee made its selections via individual voting and committee discussion based on artistic qualities, color flow within the broader display, and representation and visibility of diverse cultures and experiences. The intent of the project was to give voice to essential conversations impacting the community through the artistic vision of multiple artists.

The artists whose projects were selected completed their murals over a two-week period this fall using a combination of exterior paint and spray paint. The murals are expected to last between three and five years.

Photo courtesy of The City and County of Broomfield

Artist

Kristiana Miller & Lindsey Bell

Lewis Neeff

Lionnel Bumbakini

Ciera Dykstra

Tif Choate

Marina Nicole

Haley Ekstrand

Morn Mosley

Photo courtesy of The City and County of Broomfield

“Conversations around a public mural project have been active in the Public Art Committee for over five years and this project, at this time, with this message of inclusion and hope feels so necessary at a time of unprecedented stress, grief, and worry in our community,” said Mary Wilkie, chair of the Public Art Committee. “Art inspires us to consider, invites us to communicate, and engages communities to see each other in new ways.”

Photo by Pat Eichner

Broomfield residents will also notice new art installations at the Broomfield Community Center. The sculptures are a joint project of the Public Art Committee and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and were created by Joe O’Connell and Creative Machines, the design and fabrication firm he founded.

“Water is Life” is an outdoor sculpture that celebrates the essential role water has played in the history of Broomfield. The sculpture, made of marine-grade stainless steel with a dull rubbed finish, looks like a large water droplet. Cutouts in the material depict the front range, water underground, surface water, snowflakes, and plants. The sculpture is lit from inside by a light fixture that casts illuminated shadows on the ground.

“Broom Corn” is a suspended sculpture that features 12 stalks of broomcorn in an ascending arc that moves with the air currents around it. The stalks are made of brushed stainless steel, and the seeds are handmade polished glass spheres in amber, turquoise and lavender.