RISING TOGETHER, Matthew Mazzotta, 2025

SERVICES PROVIDED: Selection panel coordination, Design coordination, Budget management, Project management, Engineering coordination and oversight, Scheduling, Project close-out

The expansion of The National Western Center (NWC) in Denver, CO has added more than 2.2 million square feet of new indoor and outdoor spaces. This new campus is designed to host innovation and research labs, farmers markets, international conferences, outdoor festivals, and everything in between. In partnership with the City and County of Denver, Public Art Services coordinated the artist selection process for the NWC Main Campus Plaza project. Matthew Mazzotta was selected to create public art for this new riverfront park space.

RISING TOGETHER is a programmable social space for the National Western Center (NWC) and the surrounding neighborhoods. NWC historically held stock shows for the booming cattle industry that thrived off the central location of Denver. The project takes the iconic architecture of The West and elevates the community aspect of it—the barn raising, where people contribute their strength for a common good. RISING TOGETHER is a dedicated space for local people to come together for new and creative activities like poetry readings, classes, music, dancing, and anything else that the community desires.

This participatory installation has four cantilevered walls illustrating a barn raising in action. The open walls allow for free flow of pedestrian traffic while the hanging seats provide multiple seating options. The painted roof, Sacred Threads, is a collaboration between artist Matthew Mazzotta and local mural artist Bimmer Torres, celebrating the aesthetics and traditions of the community. It is a landmark, shade structure, and multi-use venue. The programmed events are a collaboration between the NWC and local community leaders.

This project is part of the the long-term culmination of Public Art Services’ work over the span of three years to develop the Public Art Master Plan for this site.

Final installation photos, digital renderings, and select text courtesy of Matthew Mazzotta.