The Loveland Sculpture Invitational, which returns this weekend for its 20th consecutive year, has become a fixture in the art world, drawing 12,000 to 15,000 viewers and providing a significant boost to the local economy.
“I think it has become more refined,” said Victor Issa, a co-founder and former president of the event. “It’s really become established as a great source for collectors, gallery owners and civic entities looking for public art.”
While the outdoor exhibition has featured as many as 320 artists from across the country, Issa said organizers have found that this year’s lineup of 225 participants is a more comfortable number.
“We have a cycling of artists who come every other year or every third year,” he said, “and 200-plus is a really good number. It’s not overwhelming for guests, and it’s manageable by the staff.”
Several thousand sculptures will be on view, with price tags ranging from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars. In past summers, there have been monumental pieces priced as much as $300,000 or $400,000.
Because Loveland is home to two major bronze foundries that tend to produce primarily representational works, that style and medium have tended to predominate the invitational. But Issa said that a wide range of other styles and media are included, as well.
The big change at the invitational this year is a fancier preview party, which will include wine, microwbrews and food. It will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. today and give attendees a sneak peek at the exhibited work.
Tickets for the party are $25, compared with $3 in previous years, and the big uptick in price was deliberate.
“We had a huge crowd, and not all of them were art buyers,” Issa said of previous parties. “We wanted to focus it more to the serious collectors, and so we upscaled the service for the food and drinks.”
Kyle MacMillan: 303-954-1675 or kmacmillan@denverpost.com
Loveland Sculpture Invitational
Loveland, 920 W. 29th St., south side of Loveland High School. Works by 225 artists from across the country will be on view in what has become one of the largest outdoor sculpture shows in the country. 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. A premiere party, including wine, microbrews and music, will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. today. $5 Saturday and Sunday; $25 premiere party. 970-663-7467 or
