Have you ever encountered a piece of artwork that caught your attention? Something that truly resonated with you? In Lakewood, every street you turn and every corner you explore is adorned with art. There’s something for everyone; the mediums range from murals to sculptures, artwork on utility boxes, and so much more.
Art is crucial in adding distinctive qualities to a city; it brings life, color, and personality that sets one city apart from another. Art provides visual depth, transforming something that some may see as plain or simple into something extraordinary. Public art also has the unique ability to bring people together in a community. “It gets people out on the street, it gets them walking into the business up the street, to go into a coffee shop, and helps them be more present with a nice street presence,” said Lakewood City Planner Amanda Cramer.
Communities use art to express themselves in various ways— through identity, culture, or emotions. Murals allow artists to tell different stories and share unique perspectives. Similarly, sculptures can convey a multitude of stories, but in a different manner. Even painted or vinyl-wrapped utility boxes add life and color to everyday objects that many might otherwise overlook.
Each piece tells a story, with the artist expressing themselves throughout their art. “[In my art I] just try to take what I see and … [put] it out there and then hopefully someone else will see it and … apply a message to it … [that will] resonate with them,” said street artist Malcom Bellew.
Public art fosters community connections. When people stop to look at the artwork, they can connect with both the piece and the community around them, sharing thoughts, ideas, and experiences with others.
As a result, art represents so much more than just some random painting or sculpture; it becomes a way to bring people together and strengthen the community. “So it’s been well documented … that public art allows for further economic development in cities, especially [when] it gets people out on the street,” said Cramer. There’s also so much creativity and meaning behind every single art piece in Lakewood.
Public art fosters community connections. When people stop to observe artwork, they are engaged with both the piece and those around them, sharing thoughts, ideas, and experiences. As a result, art holds more significance than a random painting or sculpture; it serves as a means to unite people and strengthen community bonds.
“So it’s been well documented … that public art allows for further economic development in cities, especially [when] it gets people out on the street,” said Cramer. Every piece of public art in Lakewood embodies creativity and meaning, contributing to the community’s vibrancy.
Although art is, in one way, about self-expression, it is also about creating something designed to foster a space that many can observe and enjoy. Every piece of art is added intentionally to alter the energy of the original atmosphere, transforming it from boring to lively. Murals, in particular, are often painted on the sides of plain concrete buildings in high-traffic areas. As a result, they restore the light and life back into those spaces. Even vinyl wraps on the utility boxes can turn something overlooked in daily life into a vibrant work of color and meaning.
“I think [you] just [need to] be creative, and then to think of your surroundings and think of the people in the community and think about different imagery that you know would fit well with the community,” said Lakewood high school art teacher Sophia Stasiak. Public art allows people to see Lakewood in a new way. It highlights the community’s creativity, history, and stories that might otherwise go unnoticed. It transforms seemingly ordinary places into something undeniably memorable.
Lakewood is a city that exemplifies how art can truly transform public spaces and enrich community character. From creative murals that tell stories without words to the designs adorning utility boxes, each piece of work contributes to the city’s collective identity. The art reflects not only the city’s evolution but also the interconnectedness of its residents, shaping Lakewood into a vibrant, unified community.
