Around Town

What I like about Lafayette is that there continues to be new things to like about Lafayette. The city seems to be constantly changing and and adapting and adding, for the better. With various construction projects around town, it's hard to know what will pop up next. Many of the projects are city improvements, you know the ones that make our underground pipes better but make us groan at the torn up roads. Other projects this summer have been for the betterment of the community.


The windmill that popped up at the library is a perfect example. What a surprise to see a windmill installed on the front lawn of the public library. You can see the library in the background with the Lafayette Miner's Mural on the side, one of our 9 public art installations.



The city is making a big effort to go green. This is just one example of how they're doing it. And, according to the Lafayette Library's facebook page, solar panels are next. I'll keep you posted.

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And to keep you posted with what's going on at the studio... While it's been a relatively quiet summer, in the little blue studio, life has been anything but quiet for Kerry and Rachel! Wow! I wouldn't know where to begin...

Now, we're ready to rev up for the fall. Our plans include a fall launch party, our 4th annual artist sale at the studio, and a new line of jewelry.

We got together to work with new materials, new designs, and a new process yesterday. We are so excited with the outcome!!! We'll share photos soon.

We've even found a "green" way to patina silver! The process uses a plastic bag and a hot hard boiled egg! I'll bet you can't wait to hear how that turned out...but for now I'll leave you guessing.

Art on the Street

Today's Art on the Street sculpture comes from Lafayette Artist, J. Lucas Loeffler. Sky Dance is one of four installed at Festival Plaza in the heart of Old Town Lafayette.

Sky Dance measures 30" x 32" x 12", and weighs 40 pounds. This bronze piece is captivating. Loeffler says, "Years ago I was privileged enough to witness what is referred to as a Ghost Dance - a Native American Ceremony which exhibits many dancers in various forms. The dancer that most fascinated me was the Eagle Dancer. To anyone not present, it would be hard to believe what happened next. The Eagle Dancer seemed to become one with the flame, take flight and vanish into the night sky. This image was a driving inspiration to create this body of work."

J. Lucas Loeffler was born in 1972 on the east coast and moved to Boulder in 1976. At an early age, Lucas showed interest in many disciplines; however, sculpture was the one that suited him most. He began with clay and pottery at age five. He was a quick study and soon began to teach pottery and other classes through his junior and high school years. After high school, Lucas started his own company while simultaneously pursuing his sculpting career. He cast his first Bronze pieces at the age of 26. That same year he was accepted into a wonderful gallery in Santa Fe, who would sell his first sculpture to a museum in Germany. Since then, he has been in many ongoing exhibits, both private and public. Lucas has established the drive and creativity needed to pursue his dreams and still runs the company he started many years ago while consistently sculpting new pieces.

For more information about Art on the Street, to vote on your favorite, or inquire about purchasing one of the sculptures, visit the city website.

Art on the Street

To continue the tour of Art on the Street, I though I would give you a little more information about the program. Modeled after other similar outdoor art programs, the city of Lafayette essentially leases these sculptures from the artists for a small stipend. In addition to the stipend, the artist receives a fair amount of publicity and has their work on display and for sale for the period of one year.

At the end of the year long period, unsold art will be returned to the artist and new sculpture will be chosen. The goal that the Public Art Committee has set is to expand the number of sculpture by four more each year for several years. This year we have 8, we hope to install 12 next summer.

Today's sculpture is Banned, by Jim Small. This piece is made of stainless steel and aluminum and measures 13.5' x 6' x 4.5', and weighs 150 lbs.

Banned is a whimsical, over-sized interpretation of the once popular game lawn darts or jarts. The dart at one time was one of the most enjoyed backyard lawn games but was banned from production in the 80’s due to injuries of the players. Banned is part of a larger than life series of objects from our past. The fins of Banned spin in windy conditions.

Banned is place on the west side of Festival Plaza, at the intersection of Chester Street and Public Road. It's bright color and enormous size draws attention. It is a fun piece for all ages.

For more information about Art on the Street, to vote on your favorite, or inquire about purchasing one of the sculptures, visit the city website.

Art on the Street

One of Lafayette's largest Public Art Committee endeavours is the Art on the Street installation. This rotating public sculpture gallery on Public Road in Old Town Lafayette has been in the works for the better part of two years. With a lot of hard work, fundraising and several grants, PAC saw their dream realized with the reception for the unveiling of Art on the Street on June 19. The event was fun, food from Hanna's Catering, music from a bassoon quartet, lots of people, and wonderful sculptures!

I will take several entries to give you a look at each of the sculpture that are part of Art on the Street. For a closer look, come to Old Town Lafayette, and take a stroll up and down Public Road. Three of the eight sculptures have been installed at Festival Plaza, at the intersection of Chester Street and Public Road. The remaining five were on display at the reception, and will be installed later this month.

The first piece I will share with you is the Beanstalk Giant, by Boulder artist Bruce Campbell. This beautiful piece is installed at Festival Plaza, at the intersection of Chester Street and Public Road. It's whimsical nature attracts children and adults to its mystery. He seems to have a calm, wise presence on the lawn of the Plaza.
The Beanstalk Giant was created through a combination of painting, welding and engraving on a grain storage tank salvaged from an old farm. He is a wonderful example of "green" art, which repurposes other materials for a new and creative use. It measures 80" x 64" and weighs 300 pounds.

Through various combinations of welding, painting, carving, and engraving, Bruce Campbell combines painting and sculpture to impart an archetypal, ancient quality and a mystic energy to salvaged iron, steel, wood and stone. The unique shapes and surface patinas, sculpted by time and weather, become an integral part of his imagery, which seemingly emerges from the intricately weathered surfaces. The recycled materials speak to the past through their old world craftsmanship and timeworn surfaces, and speak to the future by sending the message that all can share the planet sustainably while continuing to build, create, and foster cultural expression.

For more information about Art on the Street, to vote on your favorite, or inquire about purchasing one of the sculptures, visit the city website.

Stay tuned for more here, I have 7 more sculpture to share with you!

Join us for our Private Sale

Our two day sale starts today. We have been busy getting ready. The studio is filled with new, summery items.
Our summer specials and one of a kind items are all ready for the two day sale. In the background you can see our fun tote bags and purses on display, too.

Fun, summer bracelets. What a bargain!

Join us Thursday, May 21, 6:30pm – 9:00pm, for some light dessert and beverage; or on Friday, May 22, 9:00am – 1:00pm, for coffee and a treat. Bring a friend along with you.

Boat House and Festival Plaza

Ok, so this post is just a bit of unsolicited, free advertising for the City of Lafayette. I just wanted to keep you up to date about the happenings around town. If you are a local you can come to some of these events.
I have written several times about our boathouse and the fire that destroyed it; now, I want to let you know that the new one is ready to go!

Come to the Waneka Lake Boathouse Celebration

May 9
2:00pm – 4:00pm
Waneka Lake Park and Boathouse, 1600 Caria Drive / Lafayette

There will be activities for kids, refreshments, paddle boat rides and more!

Another new addition to Lafayette will be opened on May 9. Festival Plaza is a new area on Public Road, to be used for community events, local farmers markets, and as a fun public gathering spot. Later this spring several sculptures will be installed as part of Art on the Street, Lafayette's new sculpture walk.

Festival Plaza dedication

May 9

Activities and refreshments from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Corner of S. Public Road and Chester Street

A lot is happening around town! It's exciting to be part of such a great community! Maybe we will see you at one of these fun events.

Spring Art & Craft Sale

Thursday, May 21; 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Friday, May 22; 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

• Affordable Jewelry
• Summer bags and totes
• Fun gifts for adults and kids
• One-of-a-kind accessories
• Mixed media art and collage
• Unbelievable bargains!

We are located at 600 E. Simpson St. in Old Town Lafayette. The studio entrance is on Finch Street. Enter through the west gate and come on in to the back building. Feel free to bring a friend. Food and beverage will be served.

Don't pass up life's small pleasures.

Boat House Update

Do you remember when I told you about the Lafayette Boathouse that was destroyed by arson. It was a big loss for our community. The boathouse at Waneka Lake was a nice little gem in our town. Children and adults enjoyed what it had to offer, and in 2007, it was senselessly burned to the ground.

I wanted to give you an update. What was diminished to ashes has been rebuilt.

I have been meaning to take my camera with me on our walks, today I remembered it, just as I was walking out the door. I am so glad I did. As we were coming around the west end of the lake, we saw a trailer filled with bright paddle boats, ready for delivery.

The boathouse will be finished soon. The fleet will be back in the water this summer. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening next month - details to follow.