Public art benefits a community in so many ways besides creating a more beautiful place to live. Artwork that is accessible to everyone creates a sense of place making a town unique, driving the economy by attracting new people, and bringing physical environments to life by encouraging interaction with the art and with each other.
Windsor’s population is growing steadily, and it can be a challenge for a town with explosive growth to continue cultivating a sense of connection and community. Having art in public places provides residents with a jumping-off point for starting conversations and making connections with each other and their environment.
The Town of Windsor’s answer to this challenge comes from an unexpected place: the Parks and Rec Department. Windsor’s Parks, Recreation & Culture, specifically its Culture Division, is a small but mighty team that is working hard to ensure Windsor is a beautiful and exciting place to live.
In 2021, Culture Supervisor Laura Browarny stood in front of the Windsor Town Board to present a new Public Art Policy, the approval of which kick-started Windsor’s public art program and founded the Windsor Arts Commission. The Windsor Arts Commission, lovingly referred to as WAC is a team of volunteer community members appointed by the Town Board to help make decisions related to public art and to host special arts events for the community. WAC works closely with the Culture Division to identify locations and projects that would be a good fit for public artwork, select artists, and refine design concepts.
In its first few years of activity, WAC has accomplished more in the field of public art than most cities see in a decade. This is because of the dedication of the volunteers, the support of the Town Board, and the creativity and collaboration of the Culture staff. The Town staff responsible for public art in Windsor include Culture Supervisor, Laura Browarny and Arts and Exhibits Specialist Chris Bates. Laura has been with the Town since 2017 building cultural programs including the Town of Windsor Museums. Chris began his relationship with Windsor as a muralist, selected to create WAC’s very first mural located at 408 Main Street. After completing multiple art projects for the Town, Chris joined the Culture staff to support other public artists working in Windsor.
So far, WAC has completed five murals and two large sculptures around town. Community members can use an interactive public art map to learn where to find these artworks and about the artists who created them. Some of the projects that have become community favorites include a mural on the Lakeview Tattoo building at 411 Main Street, created as a collaboration between WAC, the building owners, and the Windsor Downtown Alliance, and the “Stagecoach Time Machine,” installed at the new Historic Halfway Homestead in the summer of 2024. The next sculptures to arrive in Windsor are currently under construction in Monument, CO in the studio of metalwork artist Jodie Bliss. The monumental sculptures, which double as seating areas, will be installed at Kyger Open Space in early 2025.
The Culture Division also manages the Town of Windsor Museums, including the Art & Heritage Center and the Windsor History Museum. Just like public art, museums add value to a community in so many ways. The Town of Windsor Museums are growing and expanding alongside the Town’s public art program, and Windsor residents can expect to see some exciting new developments from the Museums in 2025.