Historic Larimer Square, Denver’s first and oldest downtown shopping, dining and entertainment district, and Metropolitan State University of Denver, Colorado’s public urban university, are celebrating milestone 50th anniversaries this year. To commemorate the special occasion, the two institutions have joined forces to design and display creative outdoor art installations throughout Larimer Square – unveiled at this week’s Dining Al Fresco event on Larimer Square.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of historic preservation of Larimer Square, a significant part of Denver’s history. Larimer Square was Denver’s original “Main Street” and was threatened to be demolished 50 years ago until award-winning preservationist Dana Crawford saved the square.
MSU Denver is celebrating the creation of the state’s first urban higher education institution by the Colorado General Assembly 50 years ago. To celebrate the golden anniversary, MSU Denver industrial design art students created a public furniture competition, designing benches to reflect cultural icons and styles of different decades. The benches will be placed on Larimer Square as a new outdoor art installation on the block. Design styles include a “1975 to 1985 bench” that features the Rubik’s Cube, Michael Jackson and America’s introduction to the sci-fi universe of :Star Wars”. This bench also has a “pet rock” design inspiration and includes seven rocks varying in height from seven inches to 39 inches that were made into a bench.
Three bench designs were chosen through an open competition. Winning designs were selected not only for their creativity but also for how well they encourage interaction with Larimer Square visitors. Three benches will be on display throughout the summer as part of Larimer Square’s ongoing 50th anniversary celebrations.
An accompanying mural commemorating the 50th anniversaries of both institutions will also be on display from July to December at the Larimer Square parking garage, located on the wall between the alley and the walkway. Artists led by MSU Denver’s associate professor Carlos Fresquez selected a mural of an art student painting the Square with its famous canopy lights next to the MSU Denver campus. A view of the Rocky Mountains finishes the mural, which will be unveiled to the public at the next signature Dining Al Fresco event Saturday on Larimer Square.
“It is very exciting to share the creative work of the MSU Denver design students,” said Tricia Mueller, architect and director of project management for Larimer Square. “In addition to the shopping, dining and entertainment in Larimer Square, we are committed to creating an amazing outdoor experience for visitors that includes displaying beautiful outdoor art installations. The MSU Denver mural and benches are an impressive addition to Larimer Square this summer.”
Larimer Square will host an official 50th anniversary celebration on Aug. 15 to mark this milestone anniversary as well as surprise visitors throughout the year with 50 anniversary commemorative items and special activities on the Square. MSU Denver kicked off its year-long celebration of lives transformed on July 3 at the Civic Center Conservancy Independence Day Celebration in downtown Denver.
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