Mercado district welcomes new sculptures

It is not everyday a piece of culture and heritage gets recognized and preserved as it should. The Denver Office of Cultural Affairs’ Public Art Program however, did just this. Un Corrido Para La Gente (A Ballad For The People) by Denver artist Carlos Fresquez was donated Friday, Nov. 13. In attendance were Fresquez, City Councilman Paul Lopez, the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs and commissioners as well as the larger community. The sculptures are located at Morrison Rd. and Sheridan Blvd.

Fresquez’ Un Corrido Para La Gente pays homage to the surrounding neighborhood or Mercado district. It is compiled of sculptural forms inspired by what one might find in the neighboring shops of the area. It consists of a giant guitar with an eagle painted on it, a wheel and crown all connected to a sculpture of a shovel by papel picado. Papel picado is the Mexican art of cutting tissue paper into elaborate designs and streaming them together. Morrison and Sheridan will not be looked at the same with this unique and colorful addition.

Comments from City Councilman Lopez from the Denver Office of Economic Development noted, “We have been collaborating with our partners to transform and highlight the unique identity of Morrison Road and create greater economic viability.” The statement continued, “In the heart of Denver’s Latino community, Morrison Road is becoming Denver’s “Linear Mercado” serving the local area with authentic Mexican restaurants, bakeries and boutiques. It is Councilman López’ vision to capture this unique identity to reinforce current family-owned small businesses to revitalize the district with development that serves the needs of the surrounding community.”

Fresquez was born and raised in Denver. He holds a B.A. from Metropolitan State College of Denver and an M.F.A. from the University of Colorado, Boulder. An art veteran, ...