Leonardo da Vinci Museum takes flight in Pueblo following state approval
The 16th-century artist was known for works like the Mona Lisa and the Last Supper, but he also was an engineer who created groundbreaking inventions and scientific discoveries. The Pueblo museum will be able to share sizable and unique exhibits of da Vinci models.
The museum could open by late fall on the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk. It will be housed inside the former Pro Bull Riders Sport Performance Center at 310 Central Main St., plus there are additional plans for a 1,200-square-foot outdoor museum café.
"Today is a good day for Pueblo," said Craig Eliot, vice president of the board for Southern Colorado Science Center, which spearheaded the project. "There were a lot of hugs and a couple of tears after two years of work to bring this museum to Pueblo."
"It's a great day for the young kids of southern Colorado who are going to learn about a guy that maybe they can't pronounce his name but that might inspire them to do great things like he did," Eliot told the Chieftain.
Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham, Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce Director Duane Nava, and several other Pueblo dignitaries made the trip to Denver on Thursday to lend support along with Eliot and Southern Colorado Science Center Board Chair Joe Arrigo. During the public meeting, they were joined remotely by members of the Artisans of Florence in Italy.
'This approval allows us to move forward with our plans to create an interactive and educational experience that celebrates the genius of Leonardo da Vinci,' Arrigo said in a press release. 'We believe this museum will be a transformative addition to the Pueblo community in the areas of STEAM education and a significant draw for visitors from across North America.'
'Today is an exciting day to celebrate the beginning of opening the first and only Leonardo Da Vinci Museum in the United States, right in the heart of downtown Pueblo,' Graham said. 'We're grateful for the approval of the economic development council which has shown support for the work put into this project by PURA, the city, the da Vinci Museum team and the greater Pueblo community.'
The state economic development council initially tabled the approval of the museum in December. Since then, the parties have negotiated a 10-year exclusive memorandum of understanding with the Artisans of Florence in Italy, which ensures that the Pueblo museum will be the only permanent home in the United States for Leonardo da Vinci's model-based exhibits.
At the December meeting, the council also urged supporters to work out a solid lease with the city of Pueblo and the Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority. The Pueblo Urban Renewal Authority gave unanimous approval to a lease agreement for the museum Feb. 5 and Pueblo City Council could give final approval at its Feb. 24 meeting.
The museum will host exclusive U.S. premieres of sizable and unique exhibits every 18 months as well as permanent installations only available in Pueblo. Each subsequent 10-year extension of the memorandum of understanding will ensure Pueblo will be the sole location for da Vinci exhibits within a 621-mile radius.
Eliot said the project was a major effort involving the Southern Colorado Science Center, Graham, Pueblo City Council, the Historic Arkansas Riverwalk of Pueblo, the chamber, urban renewal and "the highest levels of state government in Denver."
"There has been such overreaching support — it has been great," he said.
Eliot said one of the first congratulations came from Colorado Gov. Jared Polis who pledged to be in Pueblo for the museum's opening.
With the internal exhibition space now secured, organizers will be shifting focus toward launching a capital campaign and renovating the inside of the building. Those renovations will include preparing the space for exhibitions and establishing education areas.
For more information about the Leonardo da Vinci Museum of North America, go to leonardomuseumna.org.
More: Pueblo Leonardo da Vinci museum aims for fall opening, awaits lease approval from council
Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at tharmon@chieftain.com or via X at x.com/tracywumps. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Leonardo da Vinci Museum taking off in Pueblo following state approval
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