Latka Sculpture planned for Grome park

Tom and jean Latka are donating an arch Sculpture including installation for Grome Park, Pueblo Colorado. Tom Latka reports that it should be installed next year. The sculpture is 14 feet high and 15 feet wide.

Tom Latka showing model of Arch sculpture

Tom Latka reports that the piece is in progress, mostly made. He reports that piece will be in progress until it is installed. It is being made with rebar reinforced concrete and glass. He is using the tilt up construction technique, which means that it is cast on the ground and then erected. Tom Latka discussed the importance of having a structural engineer involved with public art, but that the artist needs to direct how it will be engineered. He reports that he has a really good team. Jean, his wife, is instrumental in every aspect. He appreciates Randy Ford who is the third team member.

Regarding the Grome Park sculpture, "The inspiration was the Garden of the Gods.", said Tom Latka. He goes on to say that the arch has symbolism. An arch is a portal, it is the connection from one space to another, one idea to another, or the designation point marking before and after. He commented on 3 previous arch public art pieces, one in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on their river walk, a piece in Aurora, Colorado that references an arch, and one in Greely, Colorado.

He grew up in southern California and went to University of California at Fullerton, earning a bachelors and masters degree. He spent time in Europe. He then took a teaching job at Colorado College, during that time he acquired ceramic equipment, and prepared to be a production potter. He married Jean. He and Jean began making pots and selling them. Jean continues to make pots. He hasn't made pots in last 5 years. He and Jean started focusing on public art in the last 20 years. He credits CaFe for making it easier applying for jobs all over the world.

Gallery viewing is by appointment only

Sculpture garden at Latka Studios

He is planning sculpture park at Lamar and Midway featuring other artists as well as his own. Another public art project in Longmont, Colorado, which are monuments to a bridge, made of concrete and glass. When asked about the large beehive shaped brick objects near entrance to gallery, he said that they are man holes and eventually he wants to turn them into big tea pots.

Future site of Sculpture Park at Lamar and Midway, Pueblo, Colorado

Future tea pot made from man hole.