The concrete sound walls of the light rail stations are adorned with bas-relief sculptures of swallows and bison. My favorite is the soaring swallow above.
The panels are made by Scott System Inc., a Denver firm. The fabrication process was outlined in an article on ConcreteNetwork.com:
"Transforming plain concrete walls into original art is often a collaborative effort. The process begins with the design team agreeing on a vision for the project, and then artists are commissioned to create conceptual drawings. Once the design is approved, the artist produces a three-dimensional prototype (usually of modeling clay or polystyrene foam) from which a casting is made to produce a liner in the reverse image of the original work. The liners are attached to the inside of the wall forms into which the wet concrete is placed. When the forms are removed after the concrete sets, the transferred design is revealed."
The artists were Carolyn Braaksma and Barb McKee of Denver. Carolyn Braaksma's early biography showed the characteristic career twists and turns of the developing artist:
"Recognition of Carolyn Braaksma's artistic abilities date back to her childhood with early art lessons, awards, and art classes in high school. Following her magna cum laude Bachelor of Arts degree from Metropolitan State College, Carolyn took the bold step of learning to be an ironworker. During seven years of welding jobs in Louisiana and Colorado, she observed and participated in the process of erecting commercial buildings, while at the same time forming artistic ideas for enhancing the structures on which she was welding."
She went on to produce bas-relief designs for Scott System's concrete panels prior to starting her own company.
