Welcome to the Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra, a unique destination in Loveland, Colorado, where art and nature come together in a remarkable display of Zimbabwean stone sculpture. Established in 2007, this 26-acre park is home to 82 handcrafted stone sculptures created by artists from the Shona tribe of Zimbabwe. Each piece tells a story, offering an African perspective on themes like family, community, and nature.
The park’s founding marks a significant cultural milestone as the first permanent exhibit of its kind in the United States. The project was a collaboration between McWhinney, a local real estate development firm, and the Chapungu Sculpture Park in Harare, Zimbabwe, founded by Roy Guthrie. Guthrie, along with Marcey Mushore, curated the collection that highlights the rich tradition of Shona sculpture, which gained international recognition in the 1970s as one of Africa’s most important art movements.
Visitors to the park can enjoy a self-guided tour along a meandering trail, which is fully accessible and open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The park not only serves as a showcase for contemporary African art but also as a gathering place for community events, concerts, and celebrations. It is part of Loveland’s broader artistic landscape, which includes over 350 sculptures in various public and private collections throughout the city.
One of the park’s notable features is its thematic sections, such as ‘The Role of Woman’ and ‘Village Life,’ where sculptures like ‘Me Too Mama’ by Taylor Nkomo and ‘Watching Our Cattle’ by Sylvester Mubayi provide intimate glimpses into daily life and cultural values. These works are crafted from indigenous stones like serpentine and opal stone, each accompanied by a marker explaining the inspiration behind the piece.
Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra is not just a place to admire art but also a space for reflection and tranquility amidst the bustling development of Centerra. Its presence enhances Loveland’s reputation as a major destination for art enthusiasts, contributing to the city’s ranking as one of the top art towns in America. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this park invites you to explore the stories in stone and connect with a rich cultural heritage from across the globe.
