Denver welcomes new 30-foot-tall rhino sculpture for public to climb — and it needs a name

Denargo Rhino artist's rendering

Move over Blue Bear and Blucifer, there’s a new, giant animal art sculpture in town and it needs a name.

A hulking 30-foot-tall rhino sculpture was installed recently in Denver’s River North Art District outside of Denargo Market at 29th and Arkins Court.

Unlike his bear and mustang peers, the RiNo rhino sculpture is multi-colored, shaded in light blue, pink, yellow and orange.

Although the sculpture stands two feet shorter than Blucifer and 10 feet shorter than the Blue Bear, the 22,000-pound rhino is unique in that Denverites and tourists are invited to climb it.

“It’s one of the largest climbable structures of its kind in the country,” a Denargo Market spokesperson told The Denver Gazette in an email. “And is meant to be explored, climbed and enjoyed by all.”

Renderings of the sculpture show rock climbing walls installed on the rhino’s legs.

The rhino is part of four acres of “public realm” improvements at the 17-acre Denargo Market redevelopment site. The rhino won’t actually be climbable until later this summer when the public realm opens, officials said.

An in-progress photo of the RiNo rhino sculpture

The rhino sculpture won’t actually be climbable until the “public realm” opens later this summer.






Denargo Market is encouraging Denverites to submit name ideas for the new sculpture now through June 5 at denargomarket.com/the-rhino.

“We’re so excited to invite the community to be part of this story and help us give this iconic rhino a name that reflects the character and creativity of Denver,” Laura Newman, vice president of investment & development at Golub & Company, said in a news release.

Finalists for the name will be picked shortly after the June 5 deadline, and the name will be unveiled at a June 12 event, officials said.

The sculpture was the brainchild of Sasaki, a Boston-based design firm, in conjunction with developer Golub & Company, and real estate investment firm FORMATIV. The weatherized steel structure is being “brought to life” by local fabricators JunoWorks and Wldorado Walls, with engineering by Craft Engineering Studio, officials said.

“Our goal with both the rhino and the public realm was to create a true sense of place here at Denargo Market,” Newman said. “And we hope this becomes a beloved landmark for neighbors, families and visitors.”

In-progress look at the RiNo rhino sculpture

Denargo Market is holding a naming contest for the new, 30-foot-tall art installation.






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