For 40 years, sculptor George Walbye has participated in every Sculpture in the Park show, an event he helped create.
"George is age 93 going on 50."
At 93 years old, Loveland sculptor George Walbye is still creating art, leading art tours of Benson Sculpture Garden and participating in the famed Sculpture in the Park show, which he helped create 40 years ago.
Walbye is one of five artists who founded the renowned sculpture show that descends on Benson Sculpture Garden every August. Without fail, Walbye takes part in the event every year. Throughout the rest of the year, he often leads entertaining tours of Benson Sculpture Garden.
Over 40 years ago, the idea for the show was first birthed over a beer. Walbye and four of his artist peers and friends — George Lundeen, Dan Ostermiller, Fritz White and Hollis Williford — got together for a drink at a bar in downtown Loveland and came up with the idea of an outdoor sculpture show. At that point, there was no thought of 40 years down the road, Walbye said.
“We just thought if we could have a successful first show that would be great,” Walbye said. “What it has evolved into is just amazing. I’m still astounded by the number of people who attend, the artists who participate, the number of pieces that are shown and the money we’ve taken in over the years. It’s just incredible.”
The inaugural Sculpture in the Park show held in 1984 featured 50 local artists. The event was the collaboration of those five Loveland sculptors along with representatives from the City of Loveland and the Chamber of Commerce, and a few interested citizens. The goal was to showcase the works of sculptors from across the country and generate funding for a local sculpture garden. Approximately 2,000 people attended the first show, purchasing $50,000 worth of sculpture. In 1985 the City of Loveland chose Benson Park as the site for the sculpture garden and the 10-acre Benson Sculpture Garden became a reality, solidifying Loveland’s love affair with sculpture.
In 1985, Walbye’s sculptures “High Plains Warrior” and “Windsong” were the very first pieces to be purchased by the High Plains Arts Council for permanent installation at Benson Sculpture Garden.
Walbye grew up in Wyoming as a “half-cowboy,” he jokes. His family moved to Loveland when he was a teenager.
“I was giving horseback rides at a ranch in the Estes Park area when I was 16 years old. My mom sent me a penny postcard and said at the end ‘oh, by the way, we don’t live in Wyoming anymore. Now we’re in Loveland.’ That was one of the best things that ever happened to me.”
When Walbye first began sculpting in his late 40s, he focused on Western-themed art.
“I’ve branched out now,” he said. “The work I do is realistic. I’ve never had any art lessons to this day.”
Today, Walbye has sculptures in private and corporate collections in Europe, Canada and throughout the United States.
“George is age 93 going on 50,” said Amy Huggins, the business manager for the Loveland High Plains Art Council, the non-profit that puts on the show and maintains the sculpture garden. “Loveland is known for being an art community and George is one of the cornerstones of the art community. He is gracious and giving of his time. He’s a friend to everybody.”
About the Show
The 40th annual Sculpture in the Park returns to Loveland Aug. 9-11, 2024. Considered a mecca of international talent, the annual show and sale transforms beloved Benson Sculpture Garden into an art lovers dream come true with over 2,000 sculptures (in several mediums including bronze, stone, glass, metal, wood, ceramic, and mixed media) created by 160 award winning artists from around the world for viewing and purchase.
The Loveland High Plains Arts Council, a private non-profit established in 1984, proudly presents the annual event. Loveland’s Sculpture in the Park Show and Sale is unique because every visitor can meet and discuss art with the artist who creates it. Eighteen new artists will participate this year. Artists participating in the show are selected by a jury composed of experienced sculptors representing different styles and mediums. Traditionally, about one-fourth of the selected artists are new to Sculpture in the Park. Returning artists are required to display newly produced work, helping to ensure the annual event feels fresh and unique each year.
Sculpture in the Park 2024 includes a ticketed Patron Party on Friday, Aug. 9, and the public show and sale on Saturday, Aug. 10 from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 11 from 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Tickets for the show and sale may be purchased at the gate for $10 (event entry is free for children ages 14 and under). For more information, visit www.sculptureinthepark.org.
