McWHINNY Completes Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra

Published: October 11, 2007

LOVELAND, CO – October 10, 2007 – An African stone art oasis in Loveland has been created at the Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra. McWHINNEY is excited to announce the completion of the 26-acre Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra, located just east of the Promenade Shops at Centerra.

The Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra is the first permanent exhibit of its kind in the United States. The stone sculptures of Zimbabwe, promoted by Chapungu Sculpture Park since the 1970’s, has been described as the most important art development in Africa. In particular, the Chapungu collection is recognized as establishing the importance and validity of contemporary African art.

The park features 82 stone sculptures from the Shona tribe of Zimbabwe, Africa. Each distinctive sculpture is hand made from indigenous stones from Zimbabwe, the native country of Roy Guthrie and Marcey Mushore, curators of the park’s collection. The exhibit at Centerra is titled, “Chapungu: Stories in Stone – An African Perspective of Family.”

“Our purpose at McWHINNEY is to create great places for people. Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra embodies this purpose by bringing a new opportunity for solitude, cultural awareness, and education to Centerra. We are thrilled with how the park turned out and believe the community will be too,” said Chad McWhinney, CEO and Co-Founder, McWHINNEY.

Extensive site work, which includes major landscape planting, trail construction, and educational signage, was installed in preparation for the park’s opening. A major grand-opening celebration is being planned for Spring 2008.

McWHINNEY donated the land for Chapungu Sculpture Park and advanced funding for the park improvements. The infrastructure costs are eligible for Centerra Metro District reimbursement in the future.

Chapungu Sculpture Park at Centerra will help enhance Loveland’s arts reputation, being among the top eight “Great Art Destinations” in the United States by U.S. Art magazine. With Chapungu Sculpture Park’s completion, Loveland will feature approximately 350 sculptures in both public and private collections that are open for viewing.

CHAPUNGU SCULPTURE PARK AT CENTERRA FACTS