Insight: Art for Climate Action

The Sun Pushes Along the Waves – Kristina Petrash

“Water is life’s matter and matrix, mother and medium. There is no life without water.” - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi. I have always been drawn to water, ever since I was a kid. I would love watching it, being in it, letting it move me on its own accord. It is truly its own force and I believe it is our responsibility to respect it and protect it. The Sun Pushes Along The Waves was created through the printmaking processes: monotype and copper plate intaglio. Monotype is the process of inking up objects and running them through the press, one single time. Monotypes are all originals because there is no way to replicate what was pressed. In this piece I used burlap, lace and local plants to create an interesting landscape, with depth. I etched (intaglio) local animals into copper plates and placed them accordingly to the abstract landscape. I love this process of printmaking because it allows me to tell a story in a creative, layered way. It allows me to express how I see our beautiful water and land that surrounds us, and pay tribute to it.

No Greater Treasure - Jill Bergman

I’m constantly grateful to live in this lovely, rural place, the Yampa Valley. The landscape, skies, rivers and creeks, and wild animals are the inspiration for my artwork and explain the full title of my piece: ‘There is no greater treasure than all of the sunrises and sunsets glowing golden over this rich, wild land.’ For this collage, all of the parts were cut from linocuts that weren’t good enough for the edition. With some care, scissors, and fun, these pieces assembled into a glowing landscape, so much better than any of the prints on their own.

Solar – Jill Bergman

I am excited about a future with clean, renewable energy as the norm. I think people will look back at the era of fossil fuels the way we now look at the era of cooking and heating with fire. It’s a wasteful, messy way to gain energy, but a phase we went through before arriving at something much better. To honor the future we are working to achieve, my artwork celebrates the sun, one of our greatest sources for renewable energy.

The Forest Floor – Ann Feldman

Once, on a mountain hike, I found myself in a space completely in shadow. A shaft of sunlight pierced through the canopy and illuminated the path in front of me. How much is happening beneath our feet that we are unaware of, decomposing, building up, and sustaining a fragile ecosystem? All is in balance and dependent on harmony. From this foundation, great trees can grow. This painting was created using recycled paints found in the basement of the Art Depot.

Plein Air, Rotary Park – Ann Feldman

Plein air painting (aka painting outdoors) is the best way to record a landscape, since all of our senses are involved. Not only do we experience what we're seeing, but what we're hearing (on this day, frogs were croaking and geese were calling overhead), and feeling (warm sunlight, cool breeze). When I'm painting like this in the moment, I feel renewed by nature.

Generations, The Yampa River

As I walked along the Core Trail one day, this group of fishermen emerged from the river and walked ahead of me. I could tell from their gait that they had had a long satisfying day together. I counted three generations between them, and reflected on how fortunate they were to share their love of the river with each other. I hope that our river will be sustained for many generations to come. This painting was created using recycled paints from the basement of the Art Depot. I used a palette knife to apply the paint, so solvents weren't necessary to clean my brushes.

Mountains of Outlets – Ben Heffel

This project started because I was replacing the outlets in my home and did not want to throw them away. I felt there was something I could do with them.

Moment of Awe – Julia Ben-Asher

My favorite point of any local hike is the moment during Zirkel Circle when you make your way over the saddle and, all at once, get that incredible, indescribable view of Gilpin Lake and beyond. No matter how many times I do this hike, that moment is always breathtaking and awe-inspiring. This view always strikes me as such a clear reminder of the preciousness of nature and — as peaceful as it is — the urgency and enormity of the work we need to do towards a healthier earth and future. This piece will be created collaboratively by the attendees of Insight as a community mural.

Taking Off – Karen Gordon Schulman

I was fortunate to capture the two American White Pelicans in my piece, “Taking Off”, while kayaking on Steamboat Lake with my husband Joel, who helped by paddling slowly as we approached the pelicans. It’s not easy to creep up on wildlife on land and even more difficult while on the water! I made a number of exposures with my iPhone and amazingly was able to make this composition, which shows the wonderful Fetcher Barn and Sand Mountain in the background!

Positivity – Tim Zandee

Tim is a purist and believes there is a distinction between photographs and digital art. He waits hours to return to a place to capture it as well as is blessed by surprises of having absolutely no plan.

The Forest for the Trees/ The Trees for the Forest (Three Island Lake) – Chloe Wilwerding

My series The Forest for the Trees/The Trees for the Forest explores human lenses for viewing the natural environment. One such lens is the merit badge. In The Forest for the Trees/The Trees for the Forest, the digitally-embroidered merit badges highlight parts of the landscape. Rather than focusing on human achievement, as merit badges usually do, each badge frames a loving translation of the colors and textures from the landscape. I created The Forest for the Trees/ The Trees for the Forest (Three Island Lake) from a photograph I took on a hike at Three Island Lake in the Zirkel Wilderness. The merit badges in this piece were digitally embroidered on fabric scraps repurposed from an abandoned project. The transition from using merit badges to elevate human achievement to using merit badges as a portal into the details of the landscape mirrors a transition I would like to see in how we relate to our surrounds. Like in this piece, I would like to see us shift our perspective away from centering our own human experiences and towards celebrating and advocating for the environment.

Shape of Spring – Chula Beauregard

In the midst of changing climates, the transition between seasons tells us so much. On this beautiful day on the banks of the Yampa River, I drank in this passage of time. The snow banks still held the grasses down. The willows were still sleepy and bare. Yet, there was an air of possibility in the full river and bright sun. In these moments of quiet observation, I feel peace in knowing that it is our job to witness this beauty that we are so blessed to inhabit.

Before the Stagecoach Dam – Jane Sindell

As an artist living in Routt county for 34 years, I have drawn inspiration from the rich landscape of Routt county and the magnificent Flat Tops Wilderness. I have seen many changes, and recently embarked on a project I’ve called “Gone but not Forgotten” depicting local scenery that has changed or been developed. My pastel drawing on display here is one in that series. I wanted to give people a glimpse of how the upper part of Pleasant Valley/The Yampa Valley looked before the dam was built to create Stagecoach Reservoir. I also wanted to draw attention to the possibility of more change coming to this particular area. Change is always a given, but I ask the question — is the kind of development proposed here sustainable in anyway whatsoever? Second homes for the exclusively wealthy? A private ski area and golf course along the shores of the lake? This is about the precious water resources of the Yampa Valley which inevitably affects all those downstream of us, all the way to the rapidly dwindling Colorado River and on to the Pacific Ocean. To quote Edward Abbey — “Nothing is more vulnerable than the beautiful.” For more information on this proposed development see this article in The Yampa Valley Bugle : https://www.yampavalleybugle.com/south-routt.

Water Always Finds its Way – Kaitlin Schoewe

I've always been fascinated by the shapes that rivers and streams take, and the persistence of water in general. Whether it is squeezing through the smallest of cracks or winding through the largest of valleys, water always finds its way. This photograph shows the Yampa River, in all its glory, on her journey to the Green River. Most of the photos I capture are the best out of many others, but this particular photo was taken in one shot. The sun peeked through the clouds to illuminate the golden trees right as I clicked the shutter.

Fish Creek Falls - Dedi Knox

My commitment to sketch every day has proven invaluable to the development of my watercolor painting career. Over the years, my subject matter has remained minimalistic, but my compositions, colors, and sizes have varied a great deal. Inspiration, for me, comes from people, places, and materials every day.

Resilience – Gail Holthausen

The round hay bales catch light and shadow, it is hard to resist wanting to capture them on canvas.I glory in the beauty of Steamboats' open spaces! Making hay while the sun shines is all too true, and it is an essential need for the long winter in our Yampa Valley. Sustaining our open spaces, managing our water and climate are all critical for growing hay to feed livestock. Ranchers should be applauded for their resilience, keeping our valley verdant, open and alive!

River Song – Glenna Olmsted

As I was painting this piece, I contemplated how our rivers and water sources are so important to our planet. Water is one of the most critical necessities in order for beings and nature to survive. Just as we need to protect our air, the natural and perfect harmony of our ecosystem and each other, it is imperative that we protect our water sources. I named this piece River Song because the movement in the water and the lushness of everything it feeds looks like nature's choir and the river is its conductor. It reminds me of an untouched place, preserved, undisturbed, peacefully flourishing and singing with joy because it is cared for and cherished.

Flattop Mountain Geological Chaos - Andrea Abrahamson

There is a monolith of a mountain not too far from my home. Flattop Mountain stands over 12,000 feet tall, covered in spruce trees and delicate ecosystems. The 24-million-year-old mountain was formed by volcanic events and glacial erosion. What is left today is the reminder of our small presence in an immense span of time. This mixed media painting on stretched canvas is very chaotic with oil and oil pastel telling a story of trees, snow, erosion, growth, and mystery. There are cliffs that bolster the sides of the mountain and the access to the top is from a long meandering hiking trail. The silhouette of the owl reminds me of how fleeting and fragile our life is here in this wild place we call our home.

GREATER SAGE GROUSE – Joanne Orce

A couple of years ago, I accompanied my friend Aspen to several “leks” in order to “count grouse.” More recently I spent time in NW Colorado amongst sagebrush, studying and sketching the plant and its immediate environment (stones, fossils, cactus, bones). My GREATER SAGE GROUSE painting emerged from these experiences and a longing to bring attention to the importance of sagebrush in restoring a resilient landscape. Respecting and restoring sagebrush meadow ecosystems will hopefully mean the future survival of these beautiful and iconic birds. Indeed, sagebrush habitats support a unique biodiversity for over 150 species of western wildlife including pronghorn, mule deer, elk, rabbit and sparrows.

If There Is Magic – Jodie Atherton

The headwaters of my work often originate with a single found object like rusty metal or a once precious and now discarded item. Said item stirs my imagination as I explore previously unforeseen possibilities for its application. I interpret and relate these compelling objects and ideas to our ever-changing environment. As revelations meld into sculptures, days merge into months or even years as I often have to search out and hunt down the perfect “thing” to complete a sculpture. Discarded items of days gone by form artistic partnerships with the hand-formed ceramic aspects of my work. While working with clay, I blindly let inhibitions go, much like a river carving a landscape. I pinch my way in and around the clay, with closed eyes, I smooth out the clay with my non-dominant hand. By stretching to the deepest canyons of my imagination, I strive to reflect the free-flowing nature of water. From my initial conceptualization, through the 2-5 firings, I strive for clay figures to reflect the presence of time in a modern, ever-changing world.

Papillon – Liz Green

Existing for over 200 million years, the butterfly, with its life-cycle changes from one form to another, defines resilience. Although it is a difficult struggle in letting go of the harmful attachments that have led to our environmental predicament, I look to the butterfly as a reminder that change is inevitable. With effort made toward positive results, those results will be beautiful.

Yampa Valley Daydream – Karen Sue Timson

I chose to utilize a piece of Alligator Juniper that I rescued from a scrap pile. It was originally part of a larger slab of permitted standing dead harvest from the Gila National Forest and Wilderness Area, which is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this year. My inspiration is re-using a lovely natural medium paired with stone inlay and wood-burning to portray a whimsical golden memory etched into my heart after many blissful summers spent paddling the Yampa River. The turquoise stone inlay represents the stunning yet precious nature of the river ecosystem with a medium that is also valued by the original indigenous caretakers of the Yampa Valley. My hope is that the ancient tree-lined river and its rich ecosystem will always be in the forefront of the minds and intentions of the current caretakers of the Yampa River, foreshadowing the need for support and wise choices amongst the Valley’s inhabitants.

Mother Mountain - Shelbie Ebert

I have always loved the cycle of the seasons here in Colorado, the white winter snows that give birth to the raging spring run-off and lazy autumn rivers. It has been embedded in us to enjoy these spoils of nature at all times and seasons, but I worry about what we will be able to enjoy with a warming climate and less precipitation. If we could take care of our mountains in the same way we take care of our family, maybe there’s hope that the next generation will also get to experience the beauty and wonder of our natural landscapes.

The Cottonwoods Hold All the Stars in the Sky – Shelbie Ebert

On a river trip when I was young, my mother showed me how to find the hidden stars in the twigs of cottonwood trees. Every river runner knows that the best camps have shady cottonwood trees that give respite from the summer sun. This piece was inspired by many magical nights sleeping under these majestic trees, stargazing through the canopy of leaves. Here in the yampa valley, YVSC is planting new cottonwood trees along the Yampa River to provide shade and help cool the water temperatures, supporting aquatic life in a rapidly warming climate. For the fish and for those of us who love the river, the cottonwoods hold more than the stars — they hold our future.

Osprey Story – Shelbie Ebert

On a small ranch south of town, around a horseshoe-shaped lake, an osprey family has made its home for years, fishing from the lake and raising their chicks. I was captivated by these birds when I first moved here and have never tired of watching them plunge from the sky to snatch up their meal. The osprey also gives us unique insight into the health of our river valley. As a predator at the top of its food chain, its survival depends on a healthy ecosystem that provides for algae, insects and fish to thrive. If one of these living beings is threatened, the osprey cannot survive. As humans, we are the same; completely interdependent on the earth around us. In every osprey, I see a mirror of myself and my place in the natural world.

Shreddin' Through the Valley I – Megan Williams

Following Insight’s themes, I used recycled snowboards to create my pieces. Inspired by the wildlife and organisms, I wanted to highlight the profound beauty, delicate balance, interconnectedness, and the important role they play in the Yampa Valley. With nature being the ultimate artist, I simply added my own style and twist using vibrant paint to disrupt the purity of the black canvas. Growing up in Steamboat and being grateful for the opportunity to live here again, my work is a reflection on how I see the valley, full of colors, life and exploration.

Shreddin' Through the Valley II – Megan Williams

Following Insight’s themes, I used recycled snowboards to create my pieces. Inspired by the wildlife and organisms, I wanted to highlight the profound beauty, delicate balance, interconnectedness, and the important role they play in the Yampa Valley. With nature being the ultimate artist, I simply added my own style and twist using vibrant paint to disrupt the purity of the black canvas. Growing up in Steamboat and being grateful for the opportunity to live here again, my work is a reflection on how I see the valley, full of colors, life and exploration.

Elk River Scene – Gregory Effinger

The magnificent color of the river and the ice thawing in the spring, near Steamboat Springs, reminds us of life's renewal.

Under Attack from our Sun – Gregory Effinger

During the month of May, 2024 high levels of solar particles were ejected in the direction of the Earth creating the Aurora effect as far south as Colorado. This bombardment of radiation was dispelled by our atmosphere creating a shimmering and moving light display north of Steamboat Springs.

Early Thaw – Gregory Effinger

Water Surveyor – Sandi Poltorak

I was once asked to list words that appeal to me, and, ironically, those words can also be used to describe my art. My words?... spirit, affection and comfort. I believe in the realism of life and that any given moment can be a drawing. I draw inspiration from that which nature and humans have already created. All my drawings start with one or several photographs. Except on rare occasions, I work from my own images so my camera is always at the ready. From photograph(s) to finished drawing, my process is very time consuming so I have to be completely dedicated to each piece. Once framed I can hardly wait to see the finished product at the gallery and/or on a client’s wall. Currently, I am working on a more diversified subject matter, with new and exciting techniques and materials. Color pencils, pastels and airbrush have added a new dimension to my art. My artistic journey has always been exciting and challenging - and, well, fun.

Sunset on the Yampa Valley – Samantha Hampton

One of the most beautiful and sacred pieces of the Yampa Valley is the beautiful river. We should work tirelessly to protect it, so it stays as beautiful as it is now; so our children and their children can see what I think might be the most beautiful sight in all the Yampa Valley, the river when the sunset hits it just right.

Cottonwood Skies – Attila Feszt

Having recently moved to the mountains of Colorado from the islands of the Bahamas, I've been taking my time getting inspired by the natural world of the Rockies. My work has always been a way of bringing our attention to the often overlooked details that surround us, a reminder to preserve this delicate balance. Intrigued by organic patterns, I was struck by the textures found in the trunks of the cottonwood trees, themselves playing an important part in sustainability through helping maintain the health of the Yampa river ecosystem. By presenting these fine details, I hope to highlight the efforts of YVSC in these specific environments.

Yampa River – Mountains to Desert – Erik Elgerd

This large triptych piece showcases the Yampa River as it flows west from the mountains to join with the Green River in the high desert of Dinosaur National Monument. The colors represent elevation of the land surface and beautifully show the natural landforms of the region.

On the Banks of the Yampa – Erin Branscum

In my landscape painting, On the Banks of the Yampa, I strive to capture the profound beauty and delicate balance of the landscape of the Yampa River, the source of life in the Valley. Through my artistic lens, I explore the intricate relationship between humanity and the environment, especially in the face of climate change. Through my work, I seek to convey a sense of reverence and appreciation for the land and waterways of the Yampa Valley. The beauty and awe is a testament to the collective responsibility of community members to protect our environment for future generations. While it is a sight of beauty, its power to be a source for life is also significant. In celebrating the natural beauty of the Yampa Valley, I aim to foster a deeper connection between viewers and the landscapes they inhabit. By encouraging reflection on the impacts of climate change and the importance of resilience, my art serves as a call to action, inspiring individuals to become stewards of the land and champions for environmental conservation. Together, we can work towards a future where the landscapes of the Yampa Valley continue to thrive and flourish in harmony with the natural world.

Tiny Jewel – Gael Fetcher

After a few unsuccessful attempts at painting Fish Creek Falls, I decided to fire up some old brain cells, a form of reuse and repurposing, and paint a watercolor of a bird, something I am more familiar with. A little ruby throated hummingbird is what I chose. These fascinating birds can fly forward, backwards, hover in place, and even hang upside down. Awareness is the first step to sustainability. We all love our birds and don’t want to do them harm. It was brought to my attention after years of feeding hummingbirds, that I possibly was doing them more harm than good. Our little friends are susceptible to a fatal tongue fungus caused by feeders that have been mixed with anything but plain old white cane sugar and water with a mixture of one part sugar to four parts water. Do not use honey, brown, organic, or raw sugar, or any artificial sweeteners. And please, no red food coloring or Kool-Aid! The sugar needs to be changed every few days, more during high temperatures. On behalf of these tiny jewels and other birds, kindly take the time and do your research to be aware of what is harmful and what is not when feeding birds.

Flight to Nowhere – Grant Alan Knisely

Northwest Colorado is a special place. We are blessed with an abundance of wildlife and natural beauty, rugged mountains, wild rivers, fresh water and clean air! This image of four Sandhill Cranes soaring above the Yampa Valley was taken in the early morning hours of 2023. I deliberately removed the background and used a black & white filter for this photograph. On one hand, removing the background removes distractions and allows the viewer to focus on the beauty and intricate details of the cranes as they soar through the sky. But something is missing. The beauty of the lush environment necessary for their very survival. Without land and water, Sandhill cranes, like many species, will become extinct. My hope is that this image will be a thought-provoking juxtaposition of the delicate balance required to sustain life on earth and the urgency to maintain it here and now.

Yampa, Routt's River – Misty Brever

I grew up on a different river than the Yampa, but even as a child, I worried when summer came, and it was sometimes a trickle instead of a rush. Water is one of our most precious resources and taking care of our river and its surrounding ecosystem is our duty. This painting depicts the beauty of the water and land that feeds off it. The board and frame are also repurposed, as I mainly procure my canvases from secondhand resellers, trying to give thrown away items a new life and keep them out of our landfills.

The Kingfisher – Luisa Manriquez

My art enables me to engage and educate diverse audiences in the promotion of conservation. Art becomes a tool to encourage the care and understanding of the natural world that surrounds us. My hope is to contribute to the resiliency of the Yampa Valley through this piece, the kingfisher, a small being, but a key indicator of healthy riparian areas found all over the world.

Over the Ecosystem – Julie K. Anderson

Every spring, I am drawn to our rivers and creeks to study the repetition of waves crashing over water-eroded boulders. The movement of water in a rushing river is a powerful reminder of our ever-changing environment. The swirling spirals and curls seen in many of my sculptures are inspired by patterns observed in moving water. The fabric-like texture fastened over the surface of this particular piece exemplifies the human desire to control water through dams and diversions. Mother Nature, however, has a tendency to respond in unforeseeable ways, particularly in our current age of climate change. The surface of the waves of this sculpture burst through the fabric surface in a flower-like form, reminding us that nature will prevail.

River Time I – Alexandra Riesco

This piece is inspired by the Colorado River watershed and follows the path of the river and the tributaries feeding into it as it spirals around itself. It is made from a piece of carved linoleum printed on paper — a process I am drawn to because of the parallels it has with the erosive forces that form the Earth’s surface and incredible places like the Grand Canyon. My main encounter with the Colorado River was an 8-day trip spent following its path in a raft. To experience the river this way is special and intimate; it makes you feel fully a part of the landscape, and fully intertwined with the river. The spiraling nature of this piece references tree rings and growth, and the constant flow of time as a fluid cycle rather than an easily subdivided line. The title is a reference to our experience of time when we are connected with our environment and disconnected from the clock or a schedule, a common experience on backcountry river trips. Despite the immense strain we have put on it, the resilient Colorado river flows on, providing water and power to millions of people. However, the demand for its water is so great that it no longer reaches the sea, and as temperatures increase and snow melt decreases, its water continues to get scarcer. In reality, we are a part of the landscape; the fate of the landscape and our fate are closely linked. My work aims to bring awareness to the ever-changing environment around us, with the hope that we work harder to preserve it, for its own sake and for all the gifts it provides for us.

Sittin' by the River at 7:38 – Courtney Lynn

In the spirit of creative use of waste, this piece was based around some scrap paper I used for cleaning my paint roller during an earlier printmaking project. Inspired by the dreamlike color layers resulting from repeatedly cleaning paint off my roller, I chose to save this paper and cut it up to serve as the foundation of this piece; in addition, I used scraps of trash-bound magazines, books, and tissue paper. While creating this piece, I sought to represent the juxtaposition of tranquility and playful possibility that is found along a riverbank or lakeshore in the twilight hours of summer.

Magic Lakes of North Routt – Tony Urbick

Spending time in North Routt is one of the great privileges of life in our lucky little valley. Seeing the direct connection between water and the lushness and vibrancy of the land, flora and fauna, one can't help but be awed, feel a connection to the area, and the obligation to tread lightly and keep it safe for posterity. This work is my effort to capture the light refracting off the wave interference patterns that have fascinated me while lazing on my paddle board at Pearl and Hahn's Peak lakes. I used leftover dye made for my youth art camp on tie dye last year to try and capture the local emerald and bluebird tones of summer at these magic lakes, wrapped in waxed kite string around a pole in my take on the Japanese shibori resist dye style.

Gilpin Wildflower Summer – Noah Wetzel

In 2016 I set out to capture an image of Gilpin Lake in the Mount Zirkel Wilderness. Although an iconic location in Northwest Colorado, I had never seen any amazing landscape imagery of the lake. Venturing 5 miles into the wilderness to scout in Mid-July, I wandered the hillside for hours until I found the perfect vantage point. Blanketed in wildflowers, I knew I only had one week to return to shoot this location before the flowers wilted away. A few days later with an ideal forecast of partly cloudy skies, I hiked in and enjoyed a spectacular evening alone watching the dramatic light change. With the clouds illuminated and the last moments of sunlight striking the wildflowers, the whole landscape was bathed in golden light. This moment was captured via a 4-image panoramic, utilizing a Graduated Neutral Density filter to darken the sky and naturally balance the scene in-camera. Hiking out in the dark that night, I celebrated knowing I had captured something very special, and would be able to share that moment for years to come.

Alpenglow – Sloane Speer

Alpenglow is the phenomenon that causes mountains to glow as the sun dips below the horizon. It is a testament to how things can appear the most beautiful right before they fade from sight. The sliver of rosy light portrayed on Mt. Werner in this piece symbolizes a sliver of hope during the climate crisis. As it threatens the natural beauty of our home, I hope we are able to realize just how valuable the environment is, not just in providing us with life, but surrounding us in breathtaking views.

Leave No Trace, Caps, 2024 – Sue Oehme

With this piece, I want to draw attention to the plastic packaging waste that we all see and use everyday, most of which is not recyclable. Many of these plastic pieces have been saved for more than a decade.

Snow Stroll I – Sari Davidson

I am drawn to the beauty of line, shading, texture, and shape found in nature. My compositions are purposely simple and uncluttered in an attempt to create a feeling of breath and space. Snow Stroll 1 is one of a series of drypoint etchings on plexiglass of moose meandering in the Colorado wilderness. Wildlife depends on open space, clean air and water and access to food. Human impact and climate change affects all of these aspects of their survival. I created this piece as a reminder of what will be lost if we do not do our part to combat the impacts of our actions on the natural world.

Glacier Lilies – Silas Axtell

The Light Within Us All – Jillian Tomlinson

As much as we are informed by all that surrounds us, we have the power to also inform all that surrounds us. This is a powerful journey to integrate the darkness with our hearts that must stay bright. “The Light Within Us All” is a deeply personal journey as well as a story for uplifting the collective whole. Each color represents a fundamental element we are in relationship with. White, the source of Spirit; Yellow, the energy of the Sun; Blue, the Water we all come from; Stone, the sand; Earth, Silver, the moonlight, the grounds of our being from dust of the cosmos; Black, night, the darkness; into Red, where the resilience of the Heart can shine in tune, in a cyclical rhythm, aligned with the Cosmos & Earth, the story of our bloodline, the life force within. Through the inevitable darkness of rebirth we embark upon our personal journeys to reach the true heart of self. Resilience and learning how to cultivate and recreate the Universal light our creative powers stem from is essential in protecting the land and water our existence depends on. To attune with the natural currents, ebbs and flows of the surrounding ecosystems to maintain longevity, true connection, and aligned reciprocity for long-term regeneration is a possibility if we do the work within to show up, be accountable, and take responsibility. This is a piece to welcome one within to consider how we can create long lasting, positive change in a world that so deeply needs us to care and take action.

we play, we dance, we listen – Marguerite Pilon

I painted this piece loosely in reflection of a camping trip I took to Echo Park last fall, where the Yampa River flows to meet the Green and continue her journey as one within the great waters of the West. Magnificent walls of sandstone rise up around you, mystical and powerful in their steady and grounded devotion. In moments like these, I feel so utterly small, but I never feel separate, different, or apart from the earth — rather, I am reminded of my place within these grand workings. When I think of how we must address the ways we’ve harmed our environments and confront the climate crisis, it is this image that I always return to. We are called as humans to reposition ourselves within the much grander systems of the earth, and reconsider the roles we wish to maintain in nature and societies. I see it in the way the trees and wind interact with each other, the way a pollinator finds a flower and a flower attracts a pollinator, or how the Yampa continues to find her way to the Green, and on and on and on. Sometimes this is playful, often it is a dance, but it is always what must be done in the way it has to be. We can do the same, by reassessing our relationships with our ecosystems, listening, and knowing instinctively what we must do. I honor Indigenous writers such as Robin Wall Kimmerer, Dr. Kyle Powys White, and Gloria Bird, amongst many others, in whose words I have learned more deeply the reciprocity of the give and take in life, the reciprocity we have neglected our role in. And, my father, who taught me that the more you learn about the natural world, the more you become in awe of it. The world asks us all to listen to this reciprocity and awe, and to answer that with our own deep care given back, a care that begs us to question the longevity of the worlds and systems we have created, to consume less, to settle in, and rediscover our way of being that works with the gifts the world has given instead of against them.

The Sun Pushes Along the Waves – Kristina Petrash

“Water is life’s matter and matrix, mother and medium. There is no life without water.” - Albert Szent-Gyorgyi. I have always been drawn to water, ever since I was a kid. I would love watching it, being in it, letting it move me on its own accord. It is truly its own force and I believe it is our responsibility to respect it and protect it. The Sun Pushes Along The Waves was created through the printmaking processes: monotype and copper plate intaglio. Monotype is the process of inking up objects and running them through the press, one single time. Monotypes are all originals because there is no way to replicate what was pressed. In this piece I used burlap, lace and local plants to create an interesting landscape, with depth. I etched (intaglio) local animals into copper plates and placed them accordingly to the abstract landscape. I love this process of printmaking because it allows me to tell a story in a creative, layered way. It allows me to express how I see our beautiful water and land that surrounds us, and pay tribute to it.

No Greater Treasure - Jill Bergman

I’m constantly grateful to live in this lovely, rural place, the Yampa Valley. The landscape, skies, rivers and creeks, and wild animals are the inspiration for my artwork and explain the full title of my piece: ‘There is no greater treasure than all of the sunrises and sunsets glowing golden over this rich, wild land.’ For this collage, all of the parts were cut from linocuts that weren’t good enough for the edition. With some care, scissors, and fun, these pieces assembled into a glowing landscape, so much better than any of the prints on their own.

Fish – Brian Bonebrake

It's a dashboard gauge — blue is cold, green is livable, red is hot. The fish is in hot right now. Let's turn back the heat.

Spring River Run – Susan Gill Jackson

How lucky we are to live in such a beautiful part of the world. How lucky I am to be in the midst of it — feeling, seeing, breathing in the air, hearing, racing light and shadow . . . We must take care of the Earth.

Graphite Descent – Michelle Ideus

This original acrylic, mixed media piece is a combination of passion, action and obsession. I have challenged myself to create a piece for this fundraiser to bring me back to my easel to create with intention and to give back to this beautiful community I’ve lived in for over 20 years. Action is key to the YVSC. I take inspiration from their commitment to better our lives and futures in the Yampa Valley. 36 hours of layered thought and media lay upon this Da Vinci Pro Birch Wood Panel — the wood sourced from ecologically fast grown forests and cradled with Kiln-dried New Zealand pine. This original work is already defined with strong composition, use of shape and color, and abstract visual reference. Sharing this “INSIGHT” takes the viewer from a casual observation to an invested awareness of artistic intention.

Field of Dreams – Dona Steele

This piece was inspired by an old homestead site found in the Sarvis Creek area. All that remains of the homesteaders’ dreams are the four corners of the foundation and this field of poppies, nature has reclaimed the rest. How long can the earth sustain humans with clean air, water and land without our help? “Mother Nature is not a resource, she is an heirloom” David Ipina-Yurok tribe

Recycled I – Susie Pace and Cody Lynn

All three pieces are a mix of recycled bottle glass and reclaimed wood and copper. Inspired by the natural elements of glass work, and its stunning organic nature, finding a way to compliment the flow of the tiles was an exciting practice for Susie. Over the years, Cody has set aside exquisite pieces of found wood, and, through a process of elimination and pairings, a harmony was found that extenuates the artisanal glass work, and also up-cycles what would have been lost and forgotten to the fireplace.

Recycled II – Susie Pace and Cody Lynn

All three pieces are a mix of recycled bottle glass and reclaimed wood and copper. Inspired by the natural elements of glass work, and its stunning organic nature, finding a way to compliment the flow of the tiles was an exciting practice for Susie. Over the years, Cody has set aside exquisite pieces of found wood, and, through a process of elimination and pairings, a harmony was found that extenuates the artisanal glass work, and also up-cycles what would have been lost and forgotten to the fireplace.

Recycled III – Susied Pace and Cody Lynn

All three pieces are a mix of recycled bottle glass and reclaimed wood and copper. Inspired by the natural elements of glass work, and its stunning organic nature, finding a way to compliment the flow of the tiles was an exciting practice for Susie. Over the years, Cody has set aside exquisite pieces of found wood, and, through a process of elimination and pairings, a harmony was found that extenuates the artisanal glass work, and also up-cycles what would have been lost and forgotten to the fireplace.

Pretty Tough – Emma Friedland

As a full time horticulturist at the Yampa River Botanic Park, I think about water everyday. In the mind of the traditional gardener, more water correlates with more beauty. However, in this era of drought, it is time for us to reevaluate this impulse, and find beauty in the resilient and less demanding. Onto this snowboard, I have painted a larger than life collection of hens and chicks. The geometric form of these tiny wonders is a celebration of radial symmetry, and their deep leaf cavities create a strong contrast of light and shadow. The sculpturally succulent quality of these plants makes them irresistible to the touch. This is due to the plant’s adaptation to store water within its leaves in preparation for dryer days ahead. We can value natural wonders such as hens and chicks for their resilience and beauty in our gardens, and perhaps we can learn from them as well. As shown throughout history, human communities have the ability to be highly adaptable when it comes to survival. Selecting garden plants is an example of a seemingly small choice to make in the larger context of water resilience, where many important decisions will need to be made. However subtle the changes we make in our own homes may be, the impact of the message is loud.

El Futuro – Juan Diego Mendoza

I started painting because animals and nature were my inspiration. I had to leave my house. In the following years I returned, and with sadness I looked at the pollution and ignorance that had destroyed the animals' habitat. People sometimes ask me why I include animals from around the world, like an elephant. I think that pollution is not only in a ranch, in a town or in a city. What we do here has impacts all around the world.