Common Threads

A public art project by the community of Durango

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Common Threads is a public art project consisting of 20 laser cut steel panels designed to adorn the median of Hwy 160 /550 in Durango, Colorado. The lead artists will mix together subjects and ideas, donated by the community, into patterns and images that speak symbolically of our love of Durango. These patterns and images will be laser cut from steel. Bryce Pettit and Allison Leigh Smith lead this project conducting workshops, classroom outreach, public meet-ups, and online surveys.
Over 400 residents, 6 schools, 7 interns, and six professional home-town artists contributed. This project is made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Durango Public Art Commission, and Durango resident Mark McWhirter of Pacific Metal Cutting.

Pictured are contributions from Durango High School Students in J Burnite’s visual arts class.