Show Preview | Loveland Sculpture Invitational

Loveland, CO
Loveland High School, August 11-12

Joshua Tobey, Summit, bronze, 14 x 9 x 11.

This story was featured in the July 2012 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Order the Southwest Art magazine July 2012 print edition here, or purchase the Southwest Art magazine July 2012 digital download here. Or simply click here to subscribe to Southwest Art magazine and never miss a story!

The second weekend in August is a paradise for sculpture lovers who visit Loveland, CO. The Loveland Sculpture Invitational Show & Sale takes place on the grounds of Loveland High School and attracts more than 15,000 visitors and 250 sculptors annually. The show takes place on the same weekend as—and is located across the street from—Sculpture in the Park, making it convenient for art-lovers to attend both events.

Joshua Tobey, a bronze sculptor who divides his time between Loveland and Santa Fe, NM, says the Invitational is the only “booth” show he participates in regularly. “It is one of the largest outdoor sculpture shows in the country,” Tobey says. “And the variety and quality of artwork is astonishing. I feel like I begin my year in August at the Invitational, because each year I introduce several of my newest works at the show.”

The show was the brainchild of Victor Issa and several other sculptors, including George Lundeen, who decided that a second event was needed in the city to accommodate increasing interest from artists and collectors. In 1991, the show’s first year, 180 artists displayed their sculptures. Part of the reason Loveland has become a sculpture mecca is that two world-class foundries are located in the area—Art Castings of Colorado and Bronze Services Fine Art Foundry. Some sculptors have even moved to Loveland to be close to the foundries to which they entrust their works.

Participating sculptor Vala Ola, who is originally from Iceland and studied art in England, says that it wasn’t until she came to the United States that she found such a concentration of bronze foundries at her fingertips. “I love coming to Loveland during this weekend because it gives such an in-depth look at what is happening in the world of sculpture,” Ola says. “The show is huge and overwhelming, but if you hone in on the sculptors you like and style you like, you can be sure to find what you will cherish in your art collection.”

The Loveland Sculpture Invitational Show & Sale is sponsored by the Loveland Sculpture Group, a nonprofit organization. A portion of the proceeds from the event is donated to Loveland-area art education programs. Since its founding, the organization has contributed $232,000 to local art education programs and other nonprofits. —Bonnie Gangelhoff

contact information
970.663.7467
 www.lovelandsculpturegroup.org

Featured in the July 2012 issue of Southwest Art magazine–click below to purchase:
Southwest Art magazine July 2012 digital download
Southwest Art magazine July 2012 print edition
Or click here to subscribe to Southwest Art magazine and never miss a story!