A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN
2021 project funded by the City of Durango's Creative Economy Commission, Durango Business Improvement District, La Plata County Airport, the Wells Group and Pediatric Associates of Durango
The Durango Art Brigade is a new temporary public art initiative that promotes Economic Recovery & Resilience, Community Partnerships, Activation of the Social Sphere and Intergenerational Engagement
AVAILABLE SITE LIST 2021
INDOOR PROJECTS
1000 AIRPORT RD (LA PLATA COUNTY AIRPORT)
Project type: Indoor murals or 2D art displays in airport; one 16'6" wide by 8'9" high; one 9'6" wide x 8'9" high. Mural to be focused on area's culture heritage or landscape.
1015 MAIN AVENUE (EMPTY STOREFRONT)
Project type: Displays within property windows; open to suggestion
802 MAIN AVENUE (DURANGO WELCOME CENTER)
Project type: Displays within south property window through month of June; open to suggestion
10 TOWN PLAZA (ART SUPPLY HOUSE)
Project type: 2D art displays within property windows; open to suggestion
1316 MAIN AVE., SUITES C & D (STILLWATER MUSIC)
Project type: Art displays within property windows and on indoor walls; open to suggestion
151 CR 250 (BIG BITE GRAPHICS)
Project type: Indoor artwork hanging; outdoor sculpture; mural on outdoor shipping container
835 MAIN AVE., SUITE 225 (CENTER FOR INNOVATION - FLC)
Project type: Indoor 2D and 3D artwork
OUTDOOR SCULPTURE & GREEN SPACES
3101 MAIN AVE (SAGE FARM FRESH EATS; AREA PLAZA)
Project type: Sculpture, beautification to plaza marquee sign, mural; open to suggestion
960 MAIN AVE (MARIA'S BOOKSHOP)
Project type: "Green space" beautification to bump-out; outdoor sculpture; indoor hanging mural on 20 x 8' wall
1900 E 3RD AVENUE (DURANGO BOTANIC GARDENS)
Project type: Outdoor art reflect of Garden themes (i.e. literature, reading). Suggestion to tour garden to identify unique themes within each area.
890 E 3RD AVE (DURANGO EARLY LEARNING CENTER)
Project type: Outdoor garden sculpture at 3rd Ave. and 9th St.
1514 MAIN AVE (LIFE PARTNERS LLC, AGILE SPACE INDUSTRIES INC.)
Project type: Green space or outdoor sculpture
575 E 8TH AVE (DURANGO NATURAL FOODS CO-OP)
Project type: Open to suggestion
OUTDOOR MURALS, CHALK, OTHER
1100 AVENIDA DEL SOL (GOOD FOOD COLLECTIVE)
Project type: Beautification of organization's e-bike, cargo trike (box is 3' wide x 4' long x 5' high), or refrigeration trailer (7' wide x 14' long x 10' tall). These vehicles are used for food security and food system support. Interested in food themes or representation of food gleaning.
251 CR 250 (BOTANICAL CONCEPTS)
Project type: Botanical/landscape/bug themed mural on outdoor 15 x 40' wall
1430 MAIN AVE (PET HAUS GROOM ROOM)
Project type: Window mural; open to suggestion
104 E 5TH ST (A SHARED BLANKET)
Project type: Hanging outdoor mural on west-facing wall
810 E 3RD ST / 2590 MAIN AVE (PEDIATRIC PARTNERS OF THE SW)
Project type: Chalk art
APPLICATIONS FOR 2021 ARE NOW CLOSED
Durango Creative District, the City of Durango's Creative Economy Commission, Local First, Dumpster Beautification Project and Durango Business Improvement District have formed a partnership in effort to beautify the Durango Creative District through temporary public art. Representatives from each organization and Durango artists have formed a selection committee to release an open call to artists for commissioned projects in the spring/summer of 2021. The application was open during the month of April and concluded on Friday, April 30, 2021.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What does the application process look like for the Durango Art Brigade?
- You review the Available Site List 2021 and determine if there any projects that you would like to pursue. If you have an idea for a project that is NOT listed in the Available Site List, you may still propose your concept on this form and our selection committee will review its feasibility with the City of Durango and/or its respective property managers.
- You fill out the Google application form (linked in the button above) by no later than 5pm on Friday, April 30.
- Applications will be reviewed, selected and funded based on objective ranking criteria such as approval of concept by business owners/property manager, compatibility with site, appropriate budget, artist/team technical skills, and engaging/interactive concepts.
- You will be given an update on your project’s status within the first week of May. The Durango Art Brigade selection committee will propose a stipend and materials budget to finalist applicants and you will be given the opportunity to accept or deny the offer.
- Depending on the project scope, the selection committee will be offering between $50-$500 as stipends to artists/teams, plus reimbursement for materials up to $400. Each unique project proposal will warrant unique consideration.
- Artists/artist teams and property managers will sign agreements that detail payment, installation expectations and holding harmless the Durango Art Brigade and its constituents from any damages to your person, your art, or the property during installation. Insurance of any type will not be provided by the Durango Art Brigade or its constituents.
- Selected finalist projects can be fabricated through the month of May in preparation for installation on the last week of May or first week of June. It is during this time that the DAB committee will coordinate youth volunteer help should the artist team need it.
- The artists/artist teams is expected to keep close communication with their respective site manager or property owners throughout their installation process to ensure transparency and promote collaboration. Artists and property managers will identify a timeline for installation/de-installation.
What kinds of art projects are you seeking for this initiative?
The Durango Art Brigade has identified feasible sites and projects for artists to beautify in 2021 in the Available Site list below.
We are seeking projects that include but are not limited to: Sculptures, window installations, chalk art, interactive 3D art, mini murals, furniture, “green spaces” with plants, light art, beautification of the new downtown “bump-outs” and more!
What will I get paid for my art installation?
Stipends for artists’ time and materials are determined on a project-to-project basis by the selection committee. Depending on the project scope, artists can expect range allocations from $50-$500 PLUS reimbursement for materials. Finalists will be notified of their acceptance with an offer that can be accepted or declined.
Who can submit a project proposal?
This initiative is open for artists and educators of all ages, backgrounds and experience to participate in. If you are an emerging artist/youth/intern, please indicate this in the future application form for an opportunity to volunteer with future finalist projects.
Because the Durango Art Brigade aims to support local artists, the selection committee will prioritize applications from artists living in La Plata county and the Southern Ute Tribe.
If my project is selected, what are my liabilities?
Outdoor installations: In the project application form, you will be asked if you are comfortable with the impermanence of your project. We are seeking projects that the community and visitors can interact with in the public sphere. Depending on the outdoor site, your art may be subject to weather and public interaction.
We will connect artists with their respective property managers to address individual solutions for monitoring the final art installations, but neither the property manager or the involved partners of the Durango Art Brigade will be held liable for damaged or lost artworks.
Indoor Installations: If you are concerned with the impermanence of your work, please specify that you would like to install your artwork in an indoor space only where your artwork will be protected within the site’s windows.
What criteria is the Selection Committee using to review projects?
The Durango Art Brigade selection committee is using pre-formatted criteria to make the review and finalist process as objective as possible. Our selection criteria includes:
- Compatibility with site
- Engaging/interactive concept
- Meets a reasonable budget
- Project can be fabricated within a one-month timeframe
- Business owner/property manager supports concept
Are you accepting youth volunteers?
Yes! We are looking for youth volunteers to help finalists execute their projects. While the scope of each project will be dependent on selected projects, we are looking to pair 1-2 youth volunteers with each finalist.
If you would like to add your name to the youth volunteer list, please email [email protected]
FALL SELECTED PROJECTS
DISPLAYED THROUGHOUT OCTOBER 2020
MURAL AT DURANGO ARTS CENTER
802 E 2ND AVENUE
ARTIST: NIA STURR
Photo by Scott DW Smith, Imagesmith Photo
Please credit photographer when sharing this photo
Nia Sturr completed this mural in October 2020 on the bottom south-facing wall of the Durango Arts Center. The mural depicts the life cycle of an apple.
"PARADE OF MASQUERADE"
ILLUSTRATED PRINTS DISPLAY ON DURANGO ARTS CENTER WINDOWS
802 E 2ND AVENUE
ARTIST: DENIS LEBRUN
Prior to the pandemic I rarely gave masks much thought. Wearing a mask seemed reasonable enough for super heroes and their nemeses, or while I was cutting and sanding wood and unquestionably for surgeons. Just imagine waking from surgery in the operating room and finding the surgeon and surgical staff all looking down at you with great big toothy smiles, AAAH!
This project is meant to take the edge off what has become a contentious issue. I hope these illustrations will bring a smile to you and momentarily remove the controversy.
I’ve worked as a cartoonist for over 46 years, and 24 of those years I illustrated the comic strip Blondie. I now live in this awesome town of Durango.
The majority of the years as a cartoonist I’ve used pencil and India inks, acrylic and watercolor paint. When computers first became a thing I had to get one, that was in 1989. Many years later graphic applications for artists became sophisticated enough to mimic real-world art mediums, so digital became my favorite way to work. For the illustrations in this project I used my Mac Pro connected to a Wacom Intuos Pro pressure sensitive pen tablet. The software applications I used to sketch out the illustrations were Corel Painter and Adobe Photoshop and then concluded with painting them in Corel Painter.
The illustrations were printed by the great crew at Office Depot. Prints were mounted to foam board and installed by Mason Turner a Durango High School student volunteer.
Prints of your favorite illustrations are available:
100# coated cover stock
11x17 (size displayed in windows at DAC) @ $14 each
8½x11 (half size displayed in windows at DAC) @ $7 each
email: [email protected]
"CELEBRATE PERFORMING ARTS"
MOSAIC INSTRUMENT DISPLAY AT DURANGO WELCOME CENTER
802 MAIN AVENUE
ARTIST: SHANNA ROBB
Photo by Scott DW Smith, Imagesmith Photo
Please credit photographer when sharing this photo
Performing Arts is an essential part of the Durango art scene. The colorful array of original art featured here aims to shed light on performance art. Window display and art created by Colorado artist, Shanna Robb.
Artist Statement
I aim to create unique art that is not coincidental and is meant for someone not just anyone. The why or what is less important than creating art that ultimately has a meaningful relationship with an onlooker. A relationship where they become part of the story. Past works and contact information may be found at myworldinart.com.
All Art Available for Purchase*
Time Flies (guitar) $7,500
Kick’N Back (brown boot) $475
Walking with Intention (red boot) $475
Soaring Pinnacles (window) $675
Sound Wave (trumpet) $4,100
Drama Queen (cymbal) $725
*A percentage of all featured art sold while on display at the Durango Welcome Center will be donated to the Durango Creative District. Email [email protected]
"HERE FISHY, FISHY"
WINDSOCKS AT CREAM BEAN BERRY
1021 MAIN AVENUE
ARTIST: ANN BAUER-LASIEWICZ
Photo by Scott DW Smith, Imagesmith Photo
Please credit photographer when sharing this photo
Windsocks in the shape of fish! This installation was inspired by a Japanese tradition known as Koinobori. In Japan, they are displayed in May to honor Children’s Day. The windsocks that you see here are of very sheer, lightweight fabric and can be made either larger or smaller. But, whatever size, they love “swimming” in even the slightest breeze.
"WATERBUG"
SCULPTURE AT SMILEY BUILDING (SOUTH ENTRANCE)
1309 E 3RD AVENUE
ARTIST: JEFF GLODE WISE
Photo by Scott DW Smith, Imagesmith Photo
Please credit photographer when sharing this photo
HANGING SILK SCULPTURE AT DURANGO RUG COMPANY (INDOOR)
747 MAIN AVENUE
ARTIST: SIRI AUSTILL
Photo by Scott DW Smith, Imagesmith Photo
Please credit photographer when sharing this photo
With this interactive piece I wanted to give the sense of a woven piece unraveling. The silk has rough unsewn edges so that it shows a slow breakdown into individual fibers.
The colors invoke the rich tones of an antique rug and are paired with nature imagery to weave together the beauties of the natural and human-made. This interconnectedness reminds us of a deeper rhythm that guides the movements of our lives, even in moments when our hard work appears to unravel.
[email protected]
Price: $700
DURANGO TELEGRAPH BOX MURAL BY STEAMWORKS BREWING CO. (SOUTH)
801 E 2ND AVENUE
ARTISTS: DARBY VOORHEES & LUKE DAVIS
Photo by Debra Greenblatt, Dumpster Beautification Project
Please credit when sharing this photo
Durango High School seniors Darby Voorhees and Luke Davis completed this Durango Telegraph box mural in October 2020. The box is on the south side of Steamworks Brewing Company.
VOTE QUILT INSTALLATION
EMPTY STOREFRONT AT 558 MAIN AVENUE
ARTISTS: IMPROVISATIONAL QUILTERS
Photo by Scott DW Smith, Imagesmith Photo
Please credit photographer when sharing this photo
Improvisational Quilters from Stitch, a quilt and sewing boutique in Durango, CO, are pleased to present a group exhibition of new works in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. Improvisational quilts are unique because a pattern is not used or followed. For this exhibition, each quilter created her own quilt celebrating women’s right to vote. Vote November 3rd!
Participating artists: Diana Nelson, Patty Joy, Barbara Hawn, Jennifer Goodwin, Jen Colomb, Barbara Pevny, Amanda Preston Araujo, Debbie Wambaugh, Lee Ann Vallejos, Jennifer Boyer, Laura Jones, Robin Mason and Barbara Albrecht
"GOOD TROUBLE: COMMUNITY ART KITCHEN" INSTALLATION
EMPTY STOREFRONT AT 558 MAIN AVENUE
COORDINATOR: CRISTEN ALEXANDRIA
Photo by Scott DW Smith, Imagesmith Photo
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Before his passing, activist John Lewis advocated “Make Good Trouble.” Somewhere in a summer where it felt the world was burning, these words intertwined with creative practice. As an artist I believe it is our role to become mirrors, to awaken and inspire, and remind others they too are vessels for creativity. Art lives within us. The stories we tell ourselves and others, the way we communicate, the things that catch our eye and remind us of our own shine. Good Trouble is a community art kitchen. A culmination of friends creating under the Southwestern sun, sharing their perspective with the world.
History: This building was bought and developed in the 1960s when much of this part of Main Ave. was considered “the bad side of town,”. As the town transformed, so did the reputation of the surrounding area, becoming a hub of life and activity. Many locals know 558 Main Ave. as the former home to Starbucks, who vacated earlier this year. The intention of the owner of the building is to draw it back to the community with local flavor, a perspective I hoped to honor throughout the process!
Elements used:
Kitchen Table: Foundational to the design was the kitchen table of my mother’s childhood, a table I would later trek through college years, as a desk, as a table and now as a platform to invite the viewer back to a time when they took a seat in a room that nourished
Florals: Generously donated by Botanical Concepts, a local nursery, dahlia’s symbolize inner strength, creativity and change, all of which fit the rocky terrain of this era.
Sign: A creation by artist, Alex Vick (@sewage_farm), how about those letters!
Ceramics: Earthy textures compliment innovative design by Nick Schlau of @ColoradoClay, a working studio for creatives of Durango that embodies so much of what this town represents: play, passion and exploration of the elements.
Candles/Lighting: In homage to imagination and those that have gone before, adding shrine-like details complete the intention of the installation to honor life and it’s seasons.
Personal art: Three of my personal collage pieces are hidden throughout the display, “Joy Awakening,” “Cast Bronze Knuckles,” and “Lady with a View,”. Each piece represents a distinct stage of creative development. I have much to learn and unlearn as an artist—thank you to my family, mentors and teachers along this journey.
Cristen Alexandria | www.cristenalexandria.com | [email protected]
@cristenalexandria | @4cornersart | For pricing inquiries, please contact directly.
MURAL TRIPTYCH AT A SHARED BLANKET
104 E 5TH STREET
ARTIST: HANNAH WILSON
Photo by Scott DW Smith, Imagesmith Photo
Please credit photographer when sharing this photo
Amidst the chaos of the world, nature still exists. Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. With all that is changing and shifting, there are some things that stay consistent. One thing I find consistent, is when I spend time outside or in beautiful places, I feel ground. Renewal. Awe. I am reminded that I am here in this moment, I exist, and I am alive. With scarcity and pain, there also comes beauty and joy.
An autumn view of Durango’s, engineer mountain on top of USGS topographic maps.
Acrylic on wooden panels
Triptych dimensions in order:
5'6" x 2'
5'6" x 3'
5'6" x 2'
$1,200 (all three panels, not sold separately)
If interested in purchasing, or any other inquiries, please contact through email!
hannahwilsonart.com
[email protected]
515.745.3180
@hannahwilson.art
"CRYPTIC VOYAGE"
SCULPTURE ON ANIMAS RIVER TRAIL
ACROSS FROM FIRE STATION AT 1235 CAMINO DEL RIO
ARTIST: JEFF GLODE WISE
Photo by Scott DW Smith, Imagesmith Photo
Please credit photographer when sharing this photo
Materials: Welded and painted steel, 12’ Long x 4’ High x 4’ Wide
The genesis of this project was my desire to make a big mouth, who knows why. I then wanted to give the piece a very dynamic sense of motion so I staged a crow cluster flying through the lips. A counter balance was required and again I wanted something with a lot of implied motion so I chose a kid diving into the future. This piece is the essence of surrealism, by placing objects completely out of context.
Jeff Glode Wise | jeffwiseart.com | @jeffwiseart | [email protected] | 970-769-0756