Art Encounters is a year-long outdoor sculpture exhibit that showcases a number of sculptures, in various media and styles, displayed in highly visible areas in Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Parker and Roxborough. The project is designed to promote public interest in art, develop community pride and draw visitors to the retail or civic areas where they are displayed. All art is for sale to the general public.
Program Benefits
- Artists have the opportunity to spread their name and work throughout Douglas County and beyond.
- Artists who submit more than one application have the opportunity for more than one piece to be selected. This could result in one piece in one jurisdiction and one piece in another for greater publicity.
- Selected artists receive a $1,000 stipend, payable after completion of the installation process.
- Artists have the opportunity to win two $1,000 awards. One for the People’s Choice Award and another for the Kid’s Choice Award.
- Artists have the chance for their artwork to be purchased.
- Several sculptures have been purchased since the program was initiated in 2008.
Call for Entries
2023-2024 CALL FOR ENTRIES
The Douglas County Art Encounters Call for Entries is accepting applications for the 2023-2024 program year from Jan. 2 through Feb. 17, 2023. Apply online at https://douglascountyartencounters2023-2024.artcall.org/
Public Art Selection Process
A Public Art Advisory Committee was established and directed by the Douglas County Cultural Council to review the annual applications submitted. The Advisory Committee consists of representatives from throughout Douglas County who select the art for each of the participating jurisdictions.
Awards
There are two opportunities for artists to win a $1,000 award. One is through the People’s Choice Award and the other is through the Kid’s Choice Award, both of which are voted for by the public. Residents and visitors can visit the Art Encounters website and vote on their favorite sculpture each program year for a specified duration. Once the voting is closed, a winner is announced.
Previous Winners
People’s Choice Award Winners
- 2021 – Dimitry Domani Spiridon, “American Gold”
- 2020 – Dimitry Domani Spiridon, “Wings of Freedom”
- 2019 – Dimitry Domani Spiridon, “American Gold”
- 2018 – Matthew Duffy, “Low-Poly Heart No. 4 (Red)”
- 2017 – Joe Burleigh, “Blackbird”
- 2016 – Andrew Arvanete, “Quest”
- 2015 – Janene Di-Rico-Cable, “Puppy Love”
- 2014 – Kevin Schaffer, “Needle and Thread”
- 2013 – Luis Fernandez, “The Eye”
- 2012 – Vincent Juarez, “Epic. A Mosaic Obelisk”
- 2011 – Kevin Schaffer, “Mountain Muhly”
- 2010 – Mark Castator, “Tower of Cumae”
- 2009 – Anthony Guntren, “Impulse”
Judge’s Choice Award Winners:
2021 – Jacob Novinger, “Ego”
2021 Judge: Deanne Gertner had the following comments to say about the program and her selection for this year’s winner, “The 2022 Judge’s Choice Award goes to Jacob Novinger for the sculpture, Ego. In the wake of a global pandemic and social upheaval, Ego takes on new meaning. The Cubist-like form speaks to fragmentation and contortion. Rather than solid welds between planes, Jacob allows space and light with more organic connection points. As a result, the connection points seem more like fissures. The form, despite its durable material, feels unsteady, as if connected by threads. The hollowness of the figure adds to a feeling of instability; despite its exterior, it remains hollow. The ego, that fraught human vessel, contains nothing in the end but air. Ego beautifully marries form and content to confront the inherent in-flux state of the human psyche and, by extension, society at large.”
Deanne also wanted to recognize the following sculptures as honorable mentions:
- “Raven’s Rock” by Mike Dwyer for its impeccable craftsmanship
- “Soar” by Scott Froschauer for its creative concept
Previous Judge’s Choice Award Winners:
- 2020 – Dimitry Domani Spiridon, “Wings of Freedom”
- 2019 – Jacob Novinger, “Epiphany”
- 2018 – Charlotte Zink, “Way”
- 2017 – Joe Norman, “Shard I”
- 2016 – Joan Benefiel, “Eventide Rhythm”
