Mancos artist David Mallin captures the contemporary emphasis on nature and environmental issues with a metal and glass mixed media work entitled Mother Earth ("Pachamama" in Quechua). The work projects the need for humankind to nurture our precious natural world.

Durango artist, Mary Ellen Long, has conceived a work consisting of a series of stones inscribed with the names of some of our most noted writers. Entitled Homage to Nature Writers, it culminates with a boulder with a water basin chiseled from the stone. The boulder was produced by Erik Lewis of Canyon Landscape. The project was funded by the Durango Friends of the Arts.

We applied for and received funds to purchase the Infiniti Wind Harp II, created by Ross Barrable (shown at right) of Harmony Wind Harps, in nearby Pagosa.  This fascinating piece of art combines design with musicality.  The stunning work in metal features 18 nylon strings and stainless-steel tuning pins that will capture wind movements in the Animas River Corridor and transform them into a variety of natural, pleasing musical tones. 

To reflect this amazing horticultural and climatic diversity, plants common to lower, dryland elevations begin at the left of the mural and ascend to plants, trees common to higher, montane and alpine elevations. Because the common names of plants can vary from region to region, horticulturists and nurseries reference plants using what is called binomial nomenclature, using both the common name and the scientific name, the latter expressed in Latin. Look for these plants on your next hike or when strolling through our public gardens. The mural was commissioned by the Durango Botanic Gardens, which has been building public gardens around the library since 2011. The project has been supported and funded by a variety of individuals, companies, and organizations.  

The program also celebrated the San Juan National Forest Centennial. Pumas on Parade was modeled after dozens of similar public art projects world-wide, among them: “Orcas in the City” in British Columbia, and closer to home, The Trail of Painted Ponies in New Mexico. Our particular puma was created by local artist, Miki Harder, and donated to the Durango Botanical Society by Matt and Jenna Kenna. The Kennas wanted the Puma to be incorporated into the Durango Botanic Garden's Demonstration Garden, located on the river trail behind the Durango Public Library. The Kennas are environmentally conscious supporters of non-profits.

In the photo here Harder demonstrates how the base can turn to further enhance the feeling of flight. Thomas Grams was a local dentist who joined the International Assistance Mission, providing dental care in remote places such as Guatemala and Afghanistan. Grams was an avid volunteer and humanitarian. He was killed while on a humanitarian mission in Afghanistan. The Demonstration Garden is also an all volunteer garden and this seemed the perfect place to honor his memory. The theme of both of these sculptures incorporates the ravens Miki is so well known for. It seemed only natural for the Puma to live side by side with the Grams memorial.

The panels are fabricated, with laser cutting technology by Bryan Saren.  Annette LeMaire designed the panel illustrating a girl reading in the nook of the tree.  Another panel is based upon an original painting, Glow, by LeMaire and owned by John and Theresa Anderson. The Andersons commissioned the metal panel. Another panel in the gardens, honoring veterans, was purchased and donated by Clark and Melanie Palmer. For more information on how to donate one of the metal panels in the gardens, call us at 970-880-4841. We can either work with one of your ideas or have a professional artist draft ideas for you.

The work features a spinning halo of welded and forged steel hovering over a sculpted triangular base. Wise (shown near left) is a prominent Durango artist working in metal and other media. In his artist statement, Jeff says he has supported himself as an artist his entire life, with diversions at one time or another into being a cowboy and stone mason. He adds that in addition to his sculptural work, architecture has been a parallel interest.  The purchase was made possible by funds from the Durango Botanic Gardens, a grant from the Durango Friends of the Arts, and Annette and Bill LeMaire. Learn more about Jeff Wise Art here.