Huerfano County Judicial Center Art Installation

In 2020, the Museum of Friends (MoF) contributed to a major public art initiative at the newly constructed Huerfano County 3rd Judicial Center and Courthouse in Walsenburg. This effort expanded MoF’s long-standing vision of integrating art into civic environments and making cultural experiences accessible to the wider community.

A central feature of the installation is Who is Walsenburg?, an extension of MoF’s earlier Where is Walsenburg? project. Created by UK-based artist-in-residence Zoë Childerley, this series documents the people of Walsenburg through intimate photographic portraits, offering a contemporary snapshot of the community’s diverse identities and stories.

MoF also supported the placement of Huerfano, a monumental landscape painting by Pueblo artist Radeaux. The work depicts the Sheep Mountains and regional wildlife with striking detail, grounding the courthouse in its broader natural and cultural landscape.

Additional artworks include photographs created through MoF’s Pre-K–12 in-school programs, featuring students at Peakview Elementary. These images bring the creativity of local youth into the courthouse, reminding visitors and staff of the importance of imagination, learning, and community investment in the next generation.

Interpretive panels installed throughout the building provide historical and cultural context, helping visitors understand the connections between the artwork, the region’s heritage, and MoF’s broader mission.

By placing art in civic spaces, the Judicial Center installation strengthens community identity, enriches the daily experience of residents and visitors, and highlights the role of creativity in fostering connection, pride, and a sense of place across Huerfano County.