A giant chrome buffalo, three large gorillas, a dinosaur on a bicycle, these are just a few of the more than 100 outdoor sculptures you will find on the streets of Downtown Grand Junction.
The tree lined, pedestrian friendly streets with the outdoor sculptures is Grand Junction’s most popular attraction.
Thirty years ago, Dave Davis and 10 other Grand Junction sculptors had a great idea to stimulate an oppressed Downtown Grand Junction. On Sunday, August 5, 1984, Davis and crew installed 26 sculptures at 2 a.m..
The Art on the Corner project was one of the first of its kind in the country and has grown every year. Today, Art on the Corner features more than 100 sculptures in bronze, stone and steel. Many of the pieces are available for purchase and the others remain in a permanent collection. It’s not just locals doing the collecting, people and institutions from throughout the country collect the pieces.
Art on the Corner received an Excellence in Public Art award from the International Making Cities Livable organization in 1998 and influenced many people in other towns to create a similar project.
Davis’ belief was that “The real result of Art on the Corner is to change the way people think about their town”. Thirty some years later, Davis’ vision is still living on. The 2014 sculpture installation was a tribute to Chet and Vernie Enstrom that founded Enstrom’s Almond Toffee Candy in the 1960’s in Grand Junction.
Tourists love strolling the streets with the historic buildings, fountains, outdoor cafes and unique shops and boutiques. Art on the Corner sculptures dotted throughout the historic Downtown Main Street is an interesting afternoon or evening walk. Of course if you find yourself getting hungry, there are many fine restarants and brewery pubs that can take of that for you! A few of my favorites are: “Rockslide Brewery”, “il Bistro”, and the new “Local”.
