Chaffee County, CO –
You are invited to a Chaffee County Belonging Mural Celebration to celebrate the installation of 5 public murals throughout Chaffee County that were designed and created by volunteers ages 15 to 79 with guidance from 2 artists. Chaffee County Public Health’s We Are Chaffee’s Future Belonging Project is utilizing grant funding from Belonging Colorado/The Denver Foundation with project education through the UC Berkeley Greater Good Science Center to help bridge divides among this group of intergenerational participants. Using art as a common goal, the participants collaboratively created the murals with hope to extend the feelings of community pride and belonging to the entire county through the murals and view a short video of the project (released in mid-summer).
Learn more about the project, visit: wearechaffee.org
The “Mural Celebration” is guaranteed to be an “only in Chaffee County experience” and is scheduled for Wednesday, June 10th. The event offers an opportunity to tour to all 5 unique mural celebrations or join us at your choice of murals throughout the day. See the murals, learn about the Belonging Program, meet the people who made the murals, hear from local leaders, and enjoy treats from local restaurants and ice cream shops. Look out for the usual fun Chaffee County antics at the event!
Join Chaffee Walks as they lead two “Mural Walks” connecting people with the three murals in Salida and the two murals in Buena Vista.
“This event is truly focused on being a celebration of how special we are as a county. A strong sense of belonging is the foundation of a resilient and healthy community. We hope locals will be able to take time out of their day to spend celebrating with us! We are especially grateful to the participants who have dedicated months on this unique and inspiring project as well as the venues that have welcomed the art installations. Together, We Are Chaffee,” says Andrea Carlstrom, Director of Chaffee County Public Health.
The We Are Chaffee participants, artists, funders, and Chaffee County leaders will be on shuttles provided by Ark Valley Transit. Dan R., from Heart of the Rockies Radio, will also be riding on the bus to broadcast live from each location.
CELEBRATION SCHEDULE
- Brew & Bloom Coffee Shop, 302 CO 291, Salida: 10:30 – 11:25
11am: Betsy Dittenber, ED of the Chaffee County Community Foundation will be providing her perspective on community belonging and program participant Sam Barron will share her experience as a participant. Enjoy iced tea from Brew & Bloom and a special opportunity to contribute to community art for Jane’s Place Conference Room from 10:30 until 1:30.
- Hylton Home, 301 W 3rd St, Salida: 11:30- 12:25
Noon: Chaffee County Commissioner Dave Armstrong will be providing his perspective on community belonging and program participant Marilyn Bouldin will share her experience in the Belonging Project. Enjoy a mini burrito from Mo Burrito!
- Salida Boat Ramp, 220 W Sackett Ave, Salida : 12:30- 1:25
1pm: Salida Mayor Justin Critelli will be providing his perspective on community belonging and program participant McKenzie Collins will share her thoughts on the Belonging Project. Enjoy a scoop of Chill ice cream!
- BV Library, 131 Linderman Ave, Buena Vista : 2:00 – 2:55
2:30pm: Buena Vista Mayor Libby Fay will be providing her perspective on community belonging and program participant Kelsey Kuehn will share her experience in the Belonging Project. Enjoy a special opportunity to contribute to community art for Jane’s Place Conference Room.
- BV Optimist Splash Pad, 277 E Main St, Buena Vista: 3:00 – 3:55
3:30pm: Chaffee County Commissioner Gina Lucrezi will be providing her perspective on community belonging and the 2 program artists, Brynn Ronning Sandoval and Wendy Mitchell will share their experience guiding the mural creations. Enjoy a scoop of Louie’s ice cream!
About The Denver Foundation
Press: For more information about the Belonging Colorado project, please contact:
Abigail Kesner, she/her
Vice President of Communications
303.996.7339
720.601.5389 (c)
This project is funded through the Belonging Colorado grant provided by The Denver Foundation. Belonging Colorado is a bold, new effort to bring people together in new ways, grow resilience in our state, and expand Coloradans’ sense of who belongs. We seek to invest in good ideas for building connections across lines of difference—racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, political affiliation, age, and more. Our state is not immune to the trends of social division and disconnection affecting our nation. It is more essential than ever that Coloradans work effectively across differences to bridge divides and support our state’s long-term health, resilience, and well-being.
The Denver Foundation has been building a stronger, thriving Metro Denver, Colorado, and beyond for 100 years. The Foundation has received $2.1 billion from generous donors and given $1.6 billion in grants to support community initiatives that address the current and future challenges in Denver and Colorado. To learn more about The Denver Foundation, visit www.denverofundation.org.
