Massive 58-Foot Sculpture “Liberty” to be Installed in Aurora
The Aurora Highlands is set to welcome a powerful new sculpture to Hogan Park at Highlands Creek as part of its award-winning public art program. “Liberty,” a 58-foot-tall work by Belgian contemporary artist Michael Benisty, will be installed on Friday, May 3. Known for his use of mirrored polished stainless steel, Benisty brings a breathtaking addition to the community’s Art in the Park program. The towering piece will be visible from miles away and will welcome all to The Aurora Highlands, strategically positioned near the community’s future entrance off Interstate 70.
Originally unveiled at the Burning Man festival in 2024, “Liberty” is Benisty’s contemporary take on New York’s iconic Statue of Liberty. It will find a permanent home in Aurora, standing as a towering symbol of unity, courage and hope. Benisty wrote a companion poem, also titled “Liberty,” which will be displayed alongside the sculpture to help visitors connect with its meaning and message.
“‘Liberty’ is a representation of the universal power of harmony, aspiration and personal growth,” Benisty said. “Through its reflective surface, the sculpture invites viewers to engage with their own sense of freedom and transformation, encouraging a connection to something greater than themselves. It’s a work that speaks to the strength we all share, no matter where we come from.”
“’Liberty” joins another recent work by Benisty at Hogan Park at Highlands Creek, a 25-foot-tall sculpture titled “Broken but Together” that was installed last year. It also complements dozens of other permanent public artworks by internationally renowned artists, including Daniel Popper, Gillie and Marc and Olivia Steele.
Carla Ferreira, the chief executive officer of The Aurora Highlands, commissioned all of the park’s permanent art installations. With a rich background working in art galleries across the country, she prides herself on bringing world-renowned art to The Aurora Highlands and Colorado as a whole, making it accessible to all.
“When I first saw Liberty at Burning Man, I was deeply moved. I knew instantly it belonged at The Aurora Highlands,” Ferreria said. “Aurora is such a vibrant, diverse city that embraces people from all walks of life, so what better place for a modern reimagining of Lady Liberty than right here in our own backyard? From the very beginning, my vision has been to build a community where everyone feels like they belong. That’s why we’ve prioritized housing at every price point and made our public art program free and accessible to all. Liberty is a powerful reflection of that vision and the inclusive spirit that defines this community and Aurora as a whole.”
The Aurora Highlands and Hogan Park at Highlands Creek continue to receive recognition for their innovative approach to community development and public art. Most recently, Hogan Park at Highlands Creek was honored with the Best Community Amenity award at both the 2024 National Association of Home Builders and the 2024 Denver MAME awards. The Aurora Highlands also won the coveted Community of the Year award at the 2024 Denver MAME awards. The park has also been acknowledged by the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts and the Aurora Chamber of Commerce.
Liberty will be installed on the south end of Hogan Park at Highlands Creek, near the future southern entrance to The Aurora Highlands off I-70. In partnership with the Aerotropolis Regional Transportation Authority (ARTA), The Aurora Highlands will, at a later stage of development, open a new access point that will provide drivers with a direct connection from I-70 into the community.
Visitors are encouraged to explore Hogan Park at Highlands Creek at any time or download The Aurora Highlands app to discover all current art installations via the community’s interactive map.
