For some folks, visions of cupid, hearts, and the Sweetheart City’s international valentine remailing program come to mind when they hear someone mention Loveland, Colo.; others think of the city as a cultural center for art and sculpture.
Last year, in an effort to bring Loveland’s two greatest claims of fame together, the local not-for-profit organization Engaging Loveland decided to put some art in the city’s hearts.
Following the lead of other cities – such as Chicago, with its Cows on Parade – the organization invited 12 local artists to decorate 5-foot-tall fiberglass hearts. Each heart was designed to highlight a key element of Loveland’s history or culture, or one of the local landmarks.
Engaging Loveland unveiled the hearts last July in Civic Center Park during Loveland’s SummerFest in the Rockies celebration. The hearts were later moved to display sites around the city for the public to enjoy, where they remained until last month.
As part of Loveland’s Valentine’s Day-related festivities next month, Engaging Loveland plans to auction off the hearts.
