The USA Pro Challenge Bike Art Project launched in 2012, masterminded by Steve Sander (RIP 2023) to coincide with the USA Pro Challenge, the largest professional cycling race in the United States held in Colorado each August. Artists were given a small stipend and a physical bike to turn into a work of art, which would be put on display on top of the baggage claim carousels at Denver International Airport for the month. One of the artists would be awarded a cash award grand prize for their creation, and DIA also selected one of the final works for their permanent collection, with others being auctioned for charitable organizations following the conclusion of the project.

Over 40 prominent and up-and-coming contemporary artists, designers and collectives participated during the four years that the Bike Art Project was maintained. The project concluded when the USA Pro Challenge was put on hold due to funding challenges. The following images represent some of the more engaging works and artist proposals from the span of the project.

 
 
 
 
Andrew Huffman DIA.jpg
 
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Sandra Fettingis DIA.jpg
 
 
Matt Harris DIA.jpg
 
 
Amber Cobb McNichols.jpg
 
 
 
 
 
3rd Annual ANNOUNCE.jpg
 
 
Stacy+WInston BC 2013.jpg
 
 
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Comparetto_Concept 1.jpg
 
 

Colorado's USA Pro Challenge is now in it's second year, and so is the bike project that was launched in 2011 to coincide and bring extra dimension to the event by tapping the skills of the art community. 13 artists were selected by curator and Plus Gallery owner Ivar Zeile to transform new bicycles into works of art, and displayed throughout the month of August on top of the baggage carousels at Denver International Airport. This year 12 of the artists were paired with teams from the US and around the world that will be competing in the Challenge, with the instructions to interpret the team spirit creatively with their bike. The 13th artist was paired with the USA Pro Challenge itself and is on display on the floor at DIA during August. Artists and their respective cycling teams for this year's project are: 1. Andrew Hoffman / BMC RACING TEAM (BMC) USA 2. Mike Bernhardt / GARMIN - BARRACUDA (GRM) USA 3. Vincent Comparetto / UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling Team (USA) 4. Cultivator / OMEGA PHARMA-QUICKSTEP (OPQ) BEL 5. Tracy Weil / Champion System Pro Cycling Team (China) 6. Sander Lindeke / Emily Hinson / Bissell Pro Cycling (USA) 7. Conor Hollis and Amorette Lana / Team Spidertech Powered By C10 (CANADA) 8. Sukle Advertising / RADIOSHACK-NISSAN (RNT) LUX 9. Ladies Fancywork Society / Team Exergy (USA) 10. Matt Scobey / EPM-UNE (Columbia) 11. PlatteForum / LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE (LIQ) ITA 12. DAVA Youth / ASTANA PRO TEAM (AST) KAZ 13. Colin Livingston / USA Pro Cycle Challenge Video commissioned by Visit Denver Video directed, filmed and edited by Ryan Pattie Bicycle artists curated by Plus Gallery owner Ivar Zeile