Stone Sculpture Connects Zimbabwe, Colorado and New Zealand

Here in Loveland we have our wonderful Chapungu Sculpture Park which features stone sculptures from Zimbabwe. The setting is beautiful with water and views of the Rocky Mountains.

Well, I just got an update from a wonderful gallery in New Zealand which also promotes the wonderful Shona sculptures and has a sculpture garden as well, the Birdwoods Gallery

Whether you are in beautiful Colorado or New Zealand, you can see and collect fabulous works of art from Zimbabwe, and join the many collectors of these Shona masterpieces.

Raw Stones and Sculptures on Sale

Chapungu Warehouse & Gallery is having a Thank You Promotion
You can get 50% off all craft items, catalogs & books AND RAW STONE from Zimbabwe!

This is a great deal if you are a stone sculptor...I know I'll be heading over there to pick some stone up!

Also you can get 40% off all other sculptures...and if you want to commission a piece you can get 20% off that! This is a great opportunity for you to start or add to your art collection! They represent some of the very best sculptors in Zimbabwe and have pieces in all range of sizes and prices.

If you've never been, this is a fantastic opportunity to meet some fantastic people and see some gorgeous sculpture from Zimbabwe. (If you've already been there, then you know what I'm talking about!)

Address: 1052 N. Boise Ave, Unit B (it is a BIG warehouse, in the back), Loveland, CO
Tel: 970-461-8020

Check out their website: www.ChapunguSculpturePark.com
And if you want to email them: rgatchap@aol.com

And if you enjoy what you see there, be sure to check out the Chapungu Sculpture Park, located at I-25 and Hwy 34 in Loveland. Only 1 hour north of Denver...well worth the drive...the best collection of Sculpture from Zimbabwe in North America!

Exceptional Day at Sculpture Invitational

Yesterday I spent an incredible day at the Sculpture Invitational here in Loveland, Colorado. We are so fortunate to live in a community that is so supportive of the arts...and to have not just one, but TWO huge sculpture shows every summer.

I noticed a lot of new exhibitors this year. It was fun to see the quality of the new work and to also catch up with some returning favorites...talk about what they have been up to, new works they have created, shows they are participating in, successes they've been having, and new grandkids arriving!

Met one lady who is 90 years old. She says this is her last show. She'll keep sculpting, but says she is "tired" of the shows...I asked when she started sculpting and she said when she was a little girl. She used to carve corn cobs!

Ran into several past favorites with really wonderful additions. Ann Fleming has added some bas reliefs to her collection. Very nice. Phillip Feaster finished a piece he was working on last year and added another called "Kelp Dance"...I swear I was in the kelp forest off Monterey when I looked at that one. Victor Issa finished "The Power of Thought" and it is magnificent.

Had some great conversations about stones, carving and special techniques...John Christensen, Marv Poulson, Jeff Schaezle and so many more!

Met some cool woodworkers...making me think about giving that a try! Thanks for all the info William Ooms, Lew Hammer (don't you just love that name for a sculptor!), Michael Bauermeister (another great name for a guy working in wood!)

One 1st timer that I was especially impressed with is Lisa Arquette. She combines wood, metal (bronze, polished pewter), and glass. She does it all herself. Lots of symbolism behind her work. Very powerful.

Another 1st time exhibitor was David Mallin...very sensual work...love the play of the shadows.

Saw old friends with wonderful new pieces...Greg Todd, Lori Acott-Fowler, Jeff Schaezle, Sam Terakedis, Monty Taylor...

Also ran into friends not exhibiting...Stalin Tafura (congrats on your recent sale & award in the Sculptural Pursuit competition!), Collen Nyanhongo (very interesting conversation on the challenges in moving a permanent installation in Ft Collins), Kathryn Schroeder (Chapungu Gallery) ...

Thanks to everyone for a fantastic show. It was great to see you all and to hear how well you are doing!

Body Parts Driving Up the Highway

WOW! It is that time of year already!

I saw a trailer hauling sculpture up the highway the other day...an odd image of body parts tethered into a trailer. Hmmm...I think they were for the sculpture shows...but then again???

Anyway, I am excited to see so many great artists and fantastic creations. While I had intended to exhibit this year, it was not meant to be. The good news is that means I will be able to really see the show!

If you have never been, you MUST get to Loveland, Colorado this weekend!

For more information on Sculpture in the Park:

For more details about the Sculpture Invitational

Both happen this weekend, so if you are coming from out of town, grab a room for the night and plan on two full days.

You can also have a free tour of the Chapungu Sculpture Park on Friday night or Saturday morning!

ROY GUTHRIE will conduct special FREE tours in the Chapungu Sculpture Park on the following days:

Chapungu Sculpture Park Address:

The Promenade Shops at Centerra

Sky Pond Drive

Loveland, Colorado 80538

Tel: 970 461 8020

FRIDAY 7th AUGUSTat 5:30 pm MEET IN NORTH END OF PARK at 5:15pm

SATURDAY 8th AUGUST at 11:00am: MEET OUTSIDE PF CHANG AND BIAGGI RESTAURANTS at 10:45am.

Enjoy all the opportunities for meeting artists and seeing their work!

Agnes Nyanhongo Sculptor from Zimbabwe

Really nice post about the fabulous sculptor (and incredible woman) Agnes Nyanhongo.

If you have never seen her work, you can see some photos by clicking the link and reading this post. You can also see Agnes' work in Loveland, Colorado at the Chapungu Sculpture Park where many of her larger pieces are part of a beautiful multi-acrea display. Some of Agnes' smaller pieces are available for sale through the Chapungu Gallery.

I'm honored to have met and sculpted alongside Agnes while she has been visiting Colorado in the past...and I look forward to seeing her again soon!















The Chapungu Gallery and Sculpture Park feature extremely talented stone sculptors from Zimbabwe. The park is off I-25 and Hwy 34, only 1 hour from Boulder and Denver, en route to Ft Collins and Greeley.

We are fortunate in Loveland to be home to many, many talented sculptors and TWO fantastic sculpture parks!

Stone Sculpting Workshop May and June with Stalin Tafura

Those of us who live in the Denver area have been very fortunate to have numerous master sculptors from Zimbabwe provide workshops--thanks to the Chapungu Sculpture Park, whose Director is Roy Guthrie.

I am proud to call Stalin Tafura friend...he comes from a long line of talented stone sculptors. While you can see the family style reflected in Stalin's work (he is part of the famous Nyanhongo family)he has forged his own style that embraces his heritage while setting himself apart.

I am thrilled to share the news that Stalin will be the Master Carver at workshops sponsored by Chapugu this summer--the first workshops begin next week...so don't delay. There are only a limited number of workshops and one of the best things is the groups are always kept small. You get lots of attention and coaching. These workshops are great for beginners with no experience and also for sculptors with experience but want to have a different perspective.

You can book online at Chapungu Sculpture Park

You may have seen exhibitions or participated in workshops either at the Denver Botanic Gardens or in Loveland...Chapungu has also had exhibitions and workshops in England and across the US, but Loveland, Colorado is proud to claim them as "ours"...

If you aren't from Loveland, be sure to come and experience why we are received the Governor's Art Award for 2008--be sure to stroll our sculpture parks and see our many fine galleries!

Chapungu Sculpture Park Free Guided Tours

I got this information from my friends at the wonderful Chapungu Gallery...

They have the largest collection of Zimbabwean Sculpture in North America. An awesome collection. We are so fortunate to have it here in Loveland, Colorado.

Loveland is only 1 hour from Denver...if you are in the area, be sure to check it out. Take advantage of the wealth of knowledge that Roy Guthrie has to offer about the art and the people!

CHAPUNGU CONDUCTS SPECIAL SCULPTURE PARK TOUR ON VALENTINES DAY WITH ROY GUTHRIE

Chapungu is pleased to announce very special tours of Chapungu Sculpture Park every Saturday in February, March and April 2009. The exhibit of 82 monumental sculptures entitled, Chapungu: Stories In Stone-An African Perspective of Family is composed of eight sections displayed in 26 acres of natural and landscaped gardens. Two sections will be highlighted each Saturday.

The tours are FREE and start at 11:00am. All visitors to assemble at 10:45am on the east side of PF Changs and Biaggi's restaurants. Mr. Roy Guthrie will share his personal accounts of the individual artists; and their lives as well as their sculptures. Bottled water and hot chocolate will be provided to tour participants. Please note that Saturday February 14^th for Valentines Day the tour will include chocolate treats! Bring a loved one to tour the sections that weekend entitled The Family and The Children.

Chapungu Sculpture Park is adjacent to the Promenade Shops at Centerra, Sky Pond Drive, Loveland, CO 80538. Chapungu Warehouse and Gallery is now open on Saturdays from 10am-4pm at 1052 N. Boise Ave., Unit B, Loveland, CO. 80537 in addition to regular hours: Mon-Fri 9am-1.00pm.

For more information and directions please call 970-461-8020, or email kschroeder@chapungusculpturepark.com Also visit www.chapungusculpturepark.com

Sculpture From Zimbabwe

There was another nice article in the Loveland Reporter-Herald today on our local Zimbabwe sculpture park and gallery, and the curator Roy Guthrie.

Unfortunately, the section of the paper (The Valley Window) where the article ran is not available online.

If you have not yet checked out the Chapungu Gallery or the sculpture park, be sure to go to some past blog posts--Roy is a wonderfully knowledgeable and giving man and the art work his gallery carries is of the highest quality. You could become a collector--Prince Phillip of England is, so you would be in fine company!!!

Here is a link to a post about the Sculpture Park
And click here to read about the Gallery and Warehouse!

You can also go right to the Chapungu website by clicking the link in the sidebar to the right, in Sculpture Sites I recommend!

Chapungu Gallery Update

The Sculpture Park is still at the Promenade Shops at Centerra, however the Chapungu Gallery has consolidated and moved to their warehouse location.

Visit the park when you are east of Loveland and see the fantastic monumental pieces from Zimbabwe. You can even arrange for guided tours by calling 970-461-8020 or emailing kschroeder@chapungusculpturepark.com

The gallery also has a new number, call 970-624-0000. The warehouse and gallery location is 1052 N. Boise Ave, Loveland, Colorado.

At this new location which is much more spacious you find the largest collection of hand-carved stone sculptures from Zimbabwe to be found in North America. Tools and stones to carve are also available for students and experienced carvers.

Roy Guthrie represents over 300 Zimbabwean sculptors in his gallery. Their mission is to promote the beauty of Africa through art exhibitions, workshops, sales and documentation.

Chapungu Sculpture Park Tour a Success

Last Saturday, Roy Guthrie gave a nearly 2 hour tour of the Chapungu Sculpture Park. This is the first permanent collection of the Zimbabwean sculptures in the United States.

About twenty people listened as the Chapungu founder and director told stories of the stones, the artists and the at movement in Zimbabwe.

There are eight sections to the park, only a small portion was covered in the tour. The park is designed so that you can stroll around the entire garden enjoying the stones and the environment, or you can focus on one or two areas and come back another time to see the rest. Benches are available for resting.

The stone sculptures are all created by hand by a wide variety of artists in a broad range of styles.

The sculpture park is located by the Promenade Shops of Centerra and makes a nice break from shopping. Many of the pieces are visible from the restaurants on the east side of the center.

Sculpture Tours to Put on Your Calendar

Here are two tours you will want to have on your calendar if you live in the Loveland, Colorado area:

1. Benson Sculpture Park Tour, Saturday, Sept. 20, 11am. The park is at the corner of Aspen Drive and Taft Ave, across from the high school. The tour will be conducted by George Walbye--one of the founding members of the Sculpture in the Park show. The group will meet at the Pavilion. There is now a bathroom at the park, which is a nice benefit.

2. Chapungu Sculpture Park Tour, Saturday, Sept. 20, 1:45pm. This park is near I-25 and Hwy 34 in the Promenade Shops at Centerra, the address is 5871 Sky Pond Dr. The tour will be led by Roy Guthrie who is the curator of the exhibition and also of the parent sculpture park in Zimbabwe. The tour will start in front of PF Chang restaurant. This is a beautiful park right at the edge of a big shopping center, with bathroom facilities as well as restaurants for after the tour.

For both tours be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes!

Governor's Arts Award

Loveland one the 2008 Governor's Arts Award and was named the top place in Colorado for use of arts to "enhance the quality of life and economic vitality of the community." The award was actually bestowed upon our fair city in June, but the celebration is happening this month, September.

The Governor's Arts Award was bestowed from 1969-2002 upon artists and organizations and community leaders for their contributions. Dormant for a few years, it was reborn in 2007 with the new focus on the role of arts in community development.

A series of events will be taking place around the city. Many arts disciplines are featured in these events. This is fitting because Loveland being a big sculpture town is just one reason we were selected for the award.

If you have questions about the Governor's Arts Award, contact Elaine Mariner, 303.892.3802, elaine.mariner@state.co.us, or click here to read the press release, available at the State website.

This Saturday, Sept. 6 starts the celebration when a new sculpture "Whirl*Pool" will be dedicated at Loveland's new Fairgrounds Park beginning at 10:45am. Other events occur winding up with a tour of the Chapungu Sculpture Park on Sat. Sept. 20 at 1:45.