Throughout history, people have created and experienced art through the lens of Colorado’s memorable landscapes. Inspired artists explored beyond their walls to seek inspiration in our natural world, both as a setting and as a muse.
That grand tradition of outdoor art continues to this day. In every town across southern Colorado, there is an opportunity to experience art in the wild.
Outside art is a unique experience, shaped and enhanced by nature. The eternal weather variables – sunlight, clouds, stars, and temperature – help make each viewing unique. Here are a few places, crisscrossing our communities, where art and nature intersect in exciting ways.
Rita the Rock Planter, a massive, 21-foot sculpture made from recycled wood, is nestled in the foothills of Victor, a historic mining town. Installed in 2023, Rita is Colorado’s second troll sculpture by Danish artist Thomas Dambo. The short hike to the sculpture provides an up-close perspective with rewarding views of the Rockies and nearby Cripple Creek.
Just 40 minutes east on Highway 24, you’ll find the Green Mountain Falls Skyspace. Experience the natural beauty of Colorado’s ever-changing sky through a retractable roof in this 18-foot-tall interactive exhibit by James Turrell. For those unable to hike, an ATV driven by Green Box staff is available for transport. Make sure you come back for the Green Box Arts Festival in the summer, where nature is woven into almost every experience.
Theater is one of the most flexible outdoor art forms. In April and May, Theatre Across Borders will bring a family-focused interactive production of “The Adventures of Peter Rabbit” to the Fountain Creek and Bear Creek Nature Centers, featuring a short hike and opportunity to create a bunny-themed craft.
From plein air painting to art and acting in the forest, the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center’s Bemis School of Art offers classes and camps for all ages, celebrating the influence of our natural environment on creative juices.
Every night of the week during the summer, the Pikes Peak region is alive with the sounds of local musicians playing outside, live, and on the house. From blues to jazz, bluegrass to pop, and folk to classic rock, there is no shortage of free concert series in local neighborhoods and parks. Browse Peak Radar’s Free Outdoor Summer Concert guide for details.
Outdoor festivals throughout the year feature artistic talents of all kinds, ranging from the whir of chainsaws at the Cripple Creek Ice Festival in February, to the soft brush of plein air painting at the Mountain Arts Festival in Woodland Park and the Commonwheel Art Festival in Manitou Springs. Stay tuned to PeakRadar.com for upcoming outdoor art happenings.
Art Without Limits is the Galleries of Contemporary Art (GOCA) outdoor exhibition program at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. Rotating projects outside the confines of gallery walls create community through shared experiences. Listen to the audio tour for an in-depth experience of the current works outside the Ent Center for the Arts.
Art on the Streets, a perennial public art showcase in downtown Colorado Springs, is in its 27th year this summer. Over a dozen murals and sculptures from artists across the world are displayed, with both guided and self-guided tours available. The public art momentum continues to flow just west in Manitou Springs, with their Art on the Avenue program.
Artwork on the Riverwalk is a community treasure along Pueblo’s Riverwalk. This historic venue along the Arkansas River features a 32-acre urban waterfront experience that includes more than 60 pieces of outdoor artwork, including sculptures and murals. With a nod to the region’s history and legacy, pieces celebrate both individuals and animals of the area.
Architecture is also art. Consider The Abbey in Canon City. Built in 1924, this beautiful monastery once housed up to 90 Benedictine monks and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Described as Collegiate Gothic with a noticeable Jacobean Revival influence, its scale and style are unique for south central Colorado. While in town, make sure to visit historic main street, where a mural featuring the legend of Old Mose, King of the Grizzlies, dominates the landscape. Old Mose, widely believed to be the biggest grizzly of the era, roamed Fremont County in the early 1900s, terrorizing ranchers by feeding on cattle. TJ Smith of Grand Junction created the mural, keeping this local legend alive more than 100 years later.
Whatever the setting – a downtown street, the quiet of a forest, or perched high above a mountain town – outdoor art adds a vibrancy to the landscapes of Colorado.
