Niwot Sculpture Park celebrates 3 sculptures

A crowd of 30 gathered July 5 during Niwot's First Friday Art Walk to celebrate and dedicate two donations by Jim and Anne Postle. The sculptures, "Of One Heart" and "Courtship Flight" by world-renowned artist George Carlson, were added to the permanent collection of the Niwot Cultural Arts Association (NCAA) on the corner of Niwot Road and 79th Street after the death of Jim Postle in 2021.

Anne Postle, wife of the late Jim Postle, spoke on behalf of the Postle family, including daughter-in-law Kim Postle who was able to attend the event. She spoke of her husband's love of art, and his desire to make a permanent contribution to the Niwot community with the donation. She noted that Carlson's work is on display around the world. Carlson, who recently turned 84, resides in Idaho and was unable to be present for the dedication.

Anne Postle, Jill Whitener and Lisa Rivard serve as the NCAA's Sculpture Park Committee, which maintains the Sculpture Park through an agreement with the Cottonwood Park West Homeowners Association and Boulder County.

The event also included a final push to acquire a third sculpture, "Peacemaker," by artist Bobbie Carlyle, who spoke to the audience about the creation process and the meaning behind the large sculpture of a Native American extending a peace pipe. "The sculpture has a lot of symbolism for me," Carlyle said, noting that the sculpture represented Native Americans "taking care of the earth." She acknowledged that her work has to have meaning beyond just the bronze image itself. "I get more creative that way," she said. Carlyle's work is on display throughout the United States and beyond.

The NCAA announced at the event that donations to acquire the "Peacemaker" sculpture totaled $57,220 prior to the event, thanks in large part to a donation by Cotton and Joy Burden of $50,000. Additional donations were received at the event, and the NCAA indicated that it expected to complete the purchase by the end of July.

"Peacemaker seems so appropriate for our community," Niwot resident Karen Quinn said after the presentation.

The "Peacemaker" sculpture has been in the park on loan to the NCAA by the artist. Carlyle and her husband Dan Racz, who also attended the event, reside outside of Loveland, Colorado.