Aurora Creates is a bimonthly publication by the Library and Cultural Services Department highlighting events, programs, and stories related to the arts and cultural offerings by the city.
The Havana Business Improvement District (Havana BID) is a recipient of the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts statewide Arts Partnership award for the public art exhibition “Art 2C On Havana Street.” The awards ceremony is scheduled for April 22, where “Art 2C On Havana Street” will be recognized, along with another Aurora venue, The People’s Building. This highly successful program represents a 14-year collaboration between the Havana BID and Aurora’s Art in Public Places Program, providing a temporary sculpture exhibition On Havana Street. Extending from just north of First Avenue, at the Concorde Career College, and continuing south to the Havana Exchange at 2802 S. Havana St., there are 12 publicly accessible sculpture sites. Originally planned as an annual event, it transitioned to a biennial event in 2020 as it is very labor intensive for both organizations, and there was a desire to increase the funds available for awards. Each selected artist receives an honorarium of $2,500. An overall prize of $3,500 is distributed as follows: First place $1,200; second place $750; and third place $500. The cash funds are provided by the Havana BID. Over the years, three works have been purchased for the Art in Public Places Permanent Collection.
“Art 2C on Havana Street stands as a private-public model Discover Prehistoric Aurora Aurorans know the picturesque view of the snowcapped Rocky Mountains or the golden plains with the pronghorn roaming. But what did Aurora look like one million years ago with mammoths and giant ground sloths? Or 65 million years ago when Triceratops and Tyrannosaurs travelled this landscape? The Aurora History Museum and Historic Sites will be showcasing Aurora’s oldest story in a new exhibit, “Prehistoric Aurora.” of a successful temporary sculpture program benefiting all participants including the Havana BID, the city of Aurora, participating artists, the public and the surrounding community; artists appreciate the professionalism including formal sculpture pads, professional art installers, honoraria, prize money and excellent publicity,” said Roberta Bloom, manager of the city of Aurora’s Public Art program. “The artworks serve as an attraction and business owners enjoy the aesthetic enhancements to the lively business district,” added Havana BID Executive Director Chance Horiuchi. “During the 14 years that the program has been active, the environment on Havana Street has been transformed; from automobile dealerships and The Gardens on Havana to small retail shops and restaurants featuring cuisine from around the world and an array of artworks, there is much to experience.” The city of Aurora created the sculpture pads, manages the art selection processes and hires a vendor to install and de-install artworks every other September or October. Once the artists are selected, Chance works with the individual business owners to finalize the selection of artworks for the various sized sculpture pads and coordinates marketing, social media and PR opportunities. To learn more, visit AuroraGov.org/PublicArt.
