Although I did this piece back in 2000 when the Great Sand Dunes Nationa’l Monument became a full-fledged National Park, and it has been hanging in the visitors center there since; it was chosen to be included in work displayed at DIA in the show, “Art of the Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve” on concourse A.
It will be on display there until late January 2010.
On September 26th, 2009, the installation and unveiling took place at the visitor’s center with a crowd-filled lobby. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar pulled the coverings from the panels and spoke a few words in honor of “Public Lands Day”. Park superintendent Art Hutchison spoke as well and introduced me to talk about the project and my relationship to the Sand Dunes.
I was also honored by the park staff and the “Friends of the Dunes” with a reception for my friends and family after the unveiling.
The first time I visited the dunes was as a young girl on a Scouting trip. Little could I know that someday I would be honored to have such a piece of my work displayed in this park. Since coming to the valley in 1969 as a college student, and later marrying and raising my family here, I have been to the dunes numerous times to camp and hike.
Thus things have come full circle.
Right around Christmas of last year I was approached by Art Hutchison, the Superintendent of GSDNP&P and asked if I would consider doing an installation for the Visitor Center similar to the one I did the previous fall at Great Basin. This project would be a bit smaller; around 28 sq. ft.
Since my installation at Great Basin had been featured on the web-page of the NPS site, I have had a couple of interested inquiries.
After further planning & a few meetings, it was agreed that the “Friends of the Dunes” would purchase the supplies, and I would donate my time and skill in exchange for the title of AIR.
As this park is practically in my own backyard here in the beautiful valley where I have made my home for nearly 40 years, I am once again humbled by the honor of creating work to be a part of our great National Parks.