For nearly 100 years, the University of Denver and the Denver Art Museum have partnered to create educational, experiential, and community-building opportunities that enrich both institutions and the broader Denver community. Building on that long-standing collaboration, DU and DAM are proud to announce the Denver Art Museum Sculpture Collection at the University of Denver.
The collection features seven major outdoor sculptures that will be installed across the DU campus over the next 18 months. Some of the sculptures will be on display in Colorado for the first time, while others are returning to public view in a new community-centered setting. The artworks will be installed in phases; the first phase will begin with works installed over the spring of 2026, and all phases will end with a community celebration in summer 2027. DU is working with interested donors to fund the transportation and installation of the sculptures, as well as the continued maintenance and conservation of the art.
The Denver Art Museum Sculpture Collection will be prominently featured in a new DU Art Walk, which will weave together existing sculptures located across the DU campus and the new sculptures contributed by DAM. This DU Art Walk is the first step in the creation of a holistic art experience that will encompass the new DAM Sculpture Collection, existing art collections and galleries, and performing art opportunities.
“We are excited to expand access to art that both the DU and Denver communities will be able to enjoy,” says DU Chancellor Jeremy Haefner. “The University of Denver and the Denver Art Museum share a longstanding vision and commitment toward access to culture and education. These new installations will allow everyone to enjoy the sculptures as they move through their daily lives.”
Christoph Heinrich, DAM’s Frederick and Jan Mayer Director, notes that the museum and the University have several objectives in common. “The Denver Art Museum and DU are two institutions with a history of shared commitments to education, building community, and art access,” Heinrich says. “As one of the region’s premier institutions of higher learning, home to an art and art history program and an extensive art collection, DU is a natural partner to collaborate on this important initiative.”
“Great cities and universities expand access to culture, and this partnership brings world-class art to the community, strengthening Denver while advancing DU as a vibrant hub of creativity and learning,” says Taylor Kirkpatrick, who serves as a trustee of both the University of Denver and the Denver Art Museum.
Craig Harrison, who also serves on the boards of both institutions, notes the benefits to the community. “This collaboration represents a unique synergy between two of Denver’s most vital anchors of culture and education,” Harrison says. “By bringing these monumental works from the DAM into the heart of the DU campus, we are reinforcing Denver’s reputation as a city where creativity and learning are truly inseparable.”
In the Peloton by Gail Folwell
The seven sculptures—all of which were created by American artists—span a variety of subjects, styles, and materials. Of particular interest to the DU community is “In the Peloton,” a bronze sculpture depicting a pack of cyclists by Colorado resident and alumna Gail Folwell (BFA ’83), which is the first piece to be installed near the Ritchie Center.
Another notable piece is “Lao Tzu,” a monumental painted-steel abstraction by Mark di Suvero, whose works have been exhibited at, and are in the permanent collections of, numerous major museums. “Lao Tzu” will be sited outside of the Community Commons. Rounding out the collection are works by Edgar Britton (1901-1982), Dennis Oppenheim (1938-2011), Jack Zajac, Catherine Lee, and Lauren Ewing.
“This project is truly transformative for the University of Denver,” says Geoffrey Shamos, director of DU’s Vicki Myhren Gallery and curator of the University Art Collections. “It turns the campus into a living museum, integrating major works of contemporary sculpture into the fabric of everyday life. By placing these works along the daily paths of students, faculty, and visitors, we’re creating powerful opportunities for discovery—moments of curiosity, reflection, and dialogue—that can change how people see both art and the world around them.”
The sculptures will be thoughtfully placed in multiple areas of the campus, maximizing the chances for community interaction. In addition to the works located in the northern portions, other works will be sited near Evans Memorial Chapel, the Anna and John J. Sie International Relations Complex, and the Boettcher Center.
“We are thrilled to transfer these sculptures from the DAM to DU,” says Heather Nielsen, DAM’s chief learning and engagement officer and deputy director. “These artworks will enhance DU’s beautiful campus and create meaningful learning opportunities for students, as well as establish a vibrant destination for neighbors and residents across Denver.”
Rory Padeken, DAM’s Vicki and Kent Logan Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, notes that the sculptures will bring the creative process to mind for the DU community and visitors alike. “Presenting the works within an academic setting will offer opportune moments for students, scholars, and the public to engage both broadly and deeply with the artist’s practice,” says Padeken.
If you would like to donate toward the installation, conservation, and maintenance of these sculptures, please consider making a gift here.
