Westminster selects balloon-inspired sculpture as downtown signature artwork

Westminster officials announced Aug. 4 that a public-art review panel and city staff selected a balloon-themed sculpture by the How Does Sousa team as the city’s signature artwork for the new downtown park.

City staff said the international call for entries drew 104 qualifying responses and that three finalist teams were invited to produce paid concepts; one team later dropped out and two concepts went to a public vote and open-house process. Kate Cook, the city’s corporate affairs coordinator, said the selected piece “takes its inspiration from the teamwork” that produced the new downtown and is “assembled in many panels representing all that work.”

The public process included on-site displays at a movie-in-the-park event, an online vote on the city website and outreach through social media and e‑blasts, city staff said. The public-art review panel included staff from parks and recreation, public works, landscape architecture and representatives from the North Metro Arts Alliance.

Cook described how the sculpture will be sited at the park entry and lit at night; staff noted some of the small site lights are already installed. When asked about size, Cook said the piece will “top out at about 15 feet,” and that designers had considered a larger proposal but worried a taller structure would change the intended parachute look and raise wind-load and footing requirements.

Councilors who commented praised the public process and asked that interpretive material explain the mall and balloon history so the public understands the reference. Cook said staff are coordinating with Parks & Recreation marketing to add interactive elements telling that history and that some nearby playground features will echo the balloon theme.

City staff said next steps include finalizing contracting, fabrication, delivery and installation. No formal vote was taken during the study session; staff presented the selection and answered council questions.