Sunday, July 13, 2025

The Museum of Outdoor Arts in Marjorie Park


This past week, my husband, son-in-law, and I met our daughter at her place of work in Greenwood Village, Colorado, for lunch and a planned visit to nearby Majorie Park, where the Museum of Outdoor Arts--MOA is located.  The park was named “Samson Park” for many years after the Yorkshire Terrier family pet of MOA Co-Founders John and Marjorie Madden. The park was then renamed in memory of the late Marjorie P. Madden on May 27, 2015.
Our daughter remembers when the park was open all the time, but after an extensive 2-year renovation project was done, Marjorie Park reopened in 2021 with the MOA relocation of its headquarters to the park, which is now only accessible during events, tours, and by appointment.


 After entering the gates, we entered a path called The Lions Den.

MOA's home base houses more than 40 artworks throughout the sculpture park and venue, and I'd like to show some of the sculptures we saw on our visit. Unfortunately, we chose an unusually hot day in Colorado to make our visit. It was 96°F (35.5°C), so we toured the space at a quicker-than-usual pace to avoid overheating.



Each lion in this park is inspired by great Italian sculptures from antiquity and the height of the Renaissance. 

According to the website, "The lion’s metaphoric power is often translated through allegorical artwork and is highly referenced in Christian iconography. The Old Testament story of Daniel in the Lions’ den symbolizes the notion of salvation, after the biblical figure was condemned to spend a night with the mythological beasts and survived."

You can click on the photo collage above to enlarge it to see placards describing each lion, or read about them at this link.



The Stargazer Sculpture by Madeline Weiner was also located along the path.

"Stargazer invites the viewer to search the skies with her by becoming a part of the sculpture."



Mother Bear and Cubs by Beniamino Bufano

"Beniamino Bufano, renowned San Francisco artist, created work out of his dedication to humanity and his belief in rendering truth and integrity in the simplest manner. He strived for simplicity through ceaseless observation and vigilant discipline. He created work with the direct intention of giving it to the public, and in doing so, has the sculpture function in daily life. His intentions strongly uphold the belief of the Museum of Outdoor Arts in “making art a part of everyday life.” The Bufano family cast this sculpture after the artist’s death."




Departure by George Lundeen. Lundeen based this sculpture on a sketch he drew of a couple waiting in an Italian train station. Our daughter sat on the bench to pose with them!


Please click on the photo to enlarge to read the sculpture names and descriptions.


Seven Petal Veseca by Rosa Buff
Enlarge the photo collage to read the description.


 The wall sculpture on the upper right of this collage is Biography by Neil Goodman

"Goodman's semi-abstract forms suggest tools, fish, fruits, long bones, animal heads, and classical busts."
On the left in the photo collage is Estacas by Ken Bortolazzo
"Ken Bortolazzo’s sculptures are an invitation to examine the dichotomy between object and nature, and to ultimately explore the possibilities that dwell within that vision. At once substantial and delicate, his metal works can be a metaphor for both human sturdiness and frailty. With a lifetime of hands-on experience, Bortolazzo tackles the larger issues of man-made versus nature and merges it with a rare sensitivity."


Chole by Roger Leitner

“Chloe,” a memorial to Roger Leitner and MOA founder Cynthia Madden Leitner’s beloved standard poodle. Roger sculpted “Chloe” from Yule marble mined in Marble, Colorado, close to where Roger spent many summers carving with Chloe by his side. Chloe accompanied him on his sculpture installations and was a constant studio companion."


The next part of the MOA consisted of various Alice in Wonderland sculptures, beginning with this White Rabbit Sculpture by Harry Marinsky.
Based on Lewis Carrol’s Book.

"Harry Marinsky carries out Lewis Carroll’s intent and brings Sir John Tenniel’s illustrations to life in his Alice in Wonderland sculpture series.
"The White Rabbit is the first character Alice meets in Wonderland. He orders Alice to fetch his gloves and fan. Although Marinsky’s style is simple and sometimes minimal, the essential details are included."


Next was Alice and the Caterpillar by Harry Marinsky

"When Alice meets the silent Caterpillar sitting on a mushroom, smoking a hookah, she finds herself being told to 'keep her temper.' She is puzzled by this advice."


Alice and the Cheshire Cat by Harry Marinsky

Marinsky used a gold finish to accent the Cheshire cat's face to mimic his disappearing features, where only the cat's smile was seen at times while speaking to Alice.


Old Father William by Harry Marinsky

"Father William is the subject of the poem that Alice recites to the Caterpillar. The second figure depicted is his son. This verse is nonsense and was Carroll’s parody of Robert Southey’s poem, “The Old Man’s Comforts and How He Gained Them.” Marinsky’s depiction is from the poem’s first stanza:
“You are old, Father William,” the young man said, “And your hair has become very white; And yet you incessantly stand on your head- Do you think, at your age, it is right?”
“In my youth,” Father William replied to his son, “I feared it might injure the brain; But now that I’m perfectly sure I have none, why, I do it again and again.”


The Walrus and the Carpenter and the Queen of Hearts, both sculptures by Harry Marinsky

"Lewis Carroll’s poem, “The Walrus and the Carpenter” from his book Through the Looking Glass (1871), is often referred to as literary nonsense. The poem is recited by Tweedledum and Tweedledee to Alice. Marinsky includes many direct references from the poem’s illustrations, including walking oysters, the Carpenter’s hat, and the Walrus’ handkerchief."

The Queen of Hearts is yelling. "Off with her head!"


The Mad Tea Party by Harry Marinsky

"At the tea party, Alice meets the Mad Hatter, March Hare, and Dormouse. Alice is constantly frustrated with their manners. She leaves them trying to fit the Dormouse in a teapot."


Puppet Theatre Bench by Lonnie Hanzon

We couldn't resist taking a seat on the bench seats, even though the sun had heated them a bit!


St. Francis of Assisi by Harry Marinsky

"Marinsky’s St. Francis stands surrounded by children, with his arms in the air, freeing birds into the sky. St. Francis of Assisi, the founder of the Franciscan Order, is recognized by his emaciated appearance with the stigmata on his hands, feet, and chest. He is typically represented barefoot, wearing a dark habit, with a tonsure and a short beard. Symbolic elements commonly associated with St. Francis are animals, a book, a crucifix, a lily, and a skull."


Three Gossips by Harry Marinsky

"Three Gossips are poised in a circle. The close proximity of their finely chiseled facial features suggests the secretive tone of their conversation. Marinsky based this sculpture on three women he witnessed gossiping at a Henry Moore exhibition. The style employed by Marinsky is simple, yet it explores the complexity of the human form and psyche."


Windsong III by Robert Mangold

"Windsong III revolves, creating a mosaic in motion, a patchwork of color against the sky. The colorful rhythmic dance of Windsong III draws the viewer’s attention skyward, conjuring memories of pinwheels, balloons, flowers, and simple pleasures. Mangold’s love of nature and keen fascination with kinetic forces offer an intricate, scholarly framework for interpreting his work. In achieving mastery of an artistic medium, which depends upon wind for its animation, Mangold has cultivated an understanding of man’s primal relationship with nature and its eternal cycles."


Resistance by Leslie Temple

"Resistance is a pensive woman lost in introspection. Appearing naked to the world, she protects herself against all outside forces. Desiring to evoke an emotional response from the viewer, she creates intimate, tactile work.
Resistance is a tribute to the elegant beauty and dignity of the human form. Temple’s style transcends objective realism and directly expresses her artistic instinct. Working quickly, and directed by intuition, she captures the shape of the subject without striving for photographic likeness."


“Samson,” by Jon Leitner. He was the faithful Yorkshire terrier pet of John and Marjorie Madden.


Click on the photo collage above to read the description of "Western Wheatgrass."


MOA co-founder, John Madden developed Greenwood Plaza to be an environment that incorporates landscape design, architecture, and art. The Museum of Outdoor Arts also owns and operates the adjacent Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, which promotes outdoor performing arts and events.


Marjorie Park and the MOA grounds were filled with beautiful flowers and were an enjoyable place to stroll. My husband, daughter, and son-in-law had a wonderful time looking at all the sculptures despite the summer heat, and we have made plans to visit the various exhibits of sculpture art that are also located in public locations in the area in the future during some cooler weather.

Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , ,

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)