BHAG
“BHAG” stands for Big Hairy Audacious Goal—pronounced “bee-hag."
As an emerging artist, I’ve applied to local, statewide and regional artist competitions, exhibits and RFPs (requests for proposals) over the last few years. All…NO! In 2019, I applied for the Loveland Sculpture in the Park show (that’s the BHAG) and was accepted for the 2020 show!!!
I’ve been affiliated with this show for years and years. Usually coming along the side of the artists in a support capacity: volunteering in the tent and serving as an art representative for my dear friend and mentor, Heidi Hoy. I just loved hanging around with art and artists, but never felt I quite measured up.
So, with the mindset of “if you don’t ask, the answer is always no,” I thought I would just try. I braced myself for another NO, but it didn’t turn out that way and I was accepted into the show. This pretty much blew my mind. The 2020 show was canceled because of Covid, but my invitation was extended to the 2021 show and here we are.
The Stretch
Setting a BHAG goal has set in motion some interesting things for me. I can feel it in my chest—an expansion of myself and how I see myself. Casting out into the unknown territory of my own potential. Trusting the result of a creative impulse. I feel BOTH excitement and uneasiness. I have found, over the years, that this is a powerful combination for me. This BHAG is pure gold.
I’m so excited to be presenting a body of work that I am proud of. I invite you to come to this amazing show that includes 160 artists offering over 2,000 pieces of sculpture. If you have not attended this show before, it will blow your mind. Come and see for yourself what a BHAG can do!
The Details
Sculpture in the Park 2021 is open to the public on Saturday, August 7th, from 9:30 am - 6:00 pm and on Sunday, August 8th from 9:30 am - 4:30 pm. Admission is $10 per person and children under 14 years of age are admitted for free. The Benson Sculpture Garden is at the intersection of Aspen and 29th in Loveland. For more details: https://www.sculptureinthepark.org
The Broader Impact of the Show
As the Sculpture in the Park show has continued to grow and flourish, so has Benson Sculpture Garden. With the proceeds generated from each annual show, over the past 36 years, the Loveland High Plains Arts Council has purchased 172 extraordinary pieces of sculpture valued at over $4 million. This “public treasure” annually draws tens of thousands of visitors from around the globe. It has been recognized as “one of the 200 most important modern and contemporary art sites around the world” and as “one of the 20 must-see contemporary art sites across the USA”. It is also the number one attraction on Trip Advisor for Loveland.
