In the late 1960s, John, along with partners Jim Gardner and Norman Froelich, joined forces with former art activists and community leaders to envision a cultural center that would bring the arts to the heart of Pueblo. Through thousands of hours of work, countless conversations, and numerous conceptual designs, that vision became a reality in 1972 with the transformation of “the Hill” between I-25 and Santa Fe Avenue.

Designed by the HGF team, the Arts Center introduced a contemporary architectural expression rooted in Pueblo’s sense of place. Masonry, concrete, and warm earth tones reflected the enduring influence of Indigenous Pueblo architecture and the adobe haciendas of the Spanish Colonial period. The campus continued to grow with the addition of the Helen Thatcher White Gallery in 1982 and the Buell Children’s Museum in 2000. John remained closely involved with the Arts Center throughout the years, continuing his commitment to its design until his retirement in 2010.

Today, Amy carries that legacy forward, continuing her father’s dedication to this special place and to the community that has supported it for generations. Working alongside Pueblo County, the Arts Center’s administrators, and its staff, HGF Architects has been honored to contribute to the campus Master Planning since 2022. From the restoration and renewal of its original structures to planning for its future, the goal remains much the same as it was more than 50 years ago: to create a welcoming place where art, culture, and community can come together.

For HGF, being part of the Arts Center’s continuing story is both a professional privilege and a meaningful connection to the place we call home.