“Life is sweet in Wheat Ridge.”
At least that’s what the city’s residents are saying as part of a video project happening now as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the city’s founding.
Sculptor Nancy Lovendahl took this idea, and it ended up being the inspiration behind her piece, Sweet Grass Dance.
“The recordings (on the city’s website) touched my heart about how deeply citizens love their community and being in this beautiful town,” Lovendahl said in a statement. “I felt that this love of place should be reflected in the artwork.”
Sweet Grass Dance is Wheat Ridge’s newest public art piece. The sculpture is made of natural limestone, hand cut and finished to look like oversized sweet grass — a variety of grass native to North America — blowing in the breeze along Clear Creek.
Measuring 25’ x 18’ x 11’, Sweet Grass Dance was installed at Anderson Park in Wheat Ridge on Oct. 25.
“I’ve always enjoyed designing for a specific site,” said Lovendahl, who lives on the western slope. “One thing I really loved was the beauty of Anderson Park.”
Namely, Lovendahl added, the “giant trees” and the contrast between the manicured park and the wilderness along the creek.
Park visitors are able to interact with the sculpture, and it is meant to “give people a place to have an imagination,” Lovendahl said.
Sweet Grass Dance is Anderson Park’s first public art piece to be installed following a major renovation, completed this summer.
“Enjoying the park brings people a sense of pleasure,” said Diane Robb, chair of Wheat Ridge’s Cultural Commission. Sweet Grass Dance “will highlight the park.”
Lovendahl’s Sweet Grass Dance was chosen unanimously by Wheat Ridge’s Public Art Committee last January, and was later approved by city council.
Public art in general enhances the environment and offers everyone the opportunity to enjoy and experience art, Robb said.
“Public art brings enjoyment and meaning to public places,” she said. “This major art piece makes a statement — a sense of place and pride in Wheat Ridge.”
