Protect the dolores
inspired by nature, made for nature
It all started with an email from Ian at Conservation Colorado. He is the West Slope Field Manager and COBA Program Lead. He was reaching out to inform me about the Colorado Outdoor Business Alliance membership, a group I was clearly interested in joining but needed to learn more about. After our email exchange, he linked me up with Ana, the Grand Junction Field Organizer. In short, she is the one who gets out into the community and makes meaningful connections with people who align with CC’s ethos. It’s safe to say she also pegged me as a dead ringer for the cause. After a meeting at the gallery to get to know each other, it was clear that we wanted to collaborate. The idea wasn’t there yet, but thoughts were brewing.
In conjunction with my meeting with Ana, I was informed about an upcoming event centered around the Protect the Dolores campaign—a film premiere with some Q & A about the river’s rafting history. What a splash!
It wasn’t long after that we came together and formulated our own effort to raise awareness about the campaign. Ana had the great idea of a happy hour event paired with art. This was stellar! I would create art around the idea that the Dolores River Canyon Country is already a National Monument, as that is what they are aiming to achieve, and create a poster that reflects everyone’s favorite WPA-style art. I would produce a handful of limited edition, silver-foiled prints and frame one for the giveaway. All the others would then be sold, and a portion of the proceeds would go back to Conservation Colorado to aid in the Protect the Dolores campaign. This was the start of a great collaboration and a new friendship. Thanks, Ana, Ian and to all who aided in the efforts to make this event and art happen! :)
Thursdays Public Lands Art Happy Hour was a blast. So many thanks to Ana and Brien of Conservation Colorado and all who came!
It was amazing getting everyone together over the topics of our public lands and how we can protect them. The aim for establishing a National Monument for the Dolores River Canyon Country continues! Visit conservationco.org to learn more.
The Dolores River Canyon Country needs your help
Right now there are efforts to establish this area as a National Monument. That means it will be protected from resource extraction and kept wild and scenic for future generations.
The artwork created here is in the spirit of an already establishment National Monument ;) and was sold in support of that effort.
