Keep It Colorado’s “Tapestry of Photos” Highlights Photographers and Their Connection to Colorado
Photos and stories will be featured in a gallery exhibit in September
July 18, 2022, GOLDEN - Keep It Colorado will celebrate 11 photographers at its inaugural “Colorado the Beautiful: A Tapestry of Photos” during a Fall Reception. Photographers from across the state had submitted photos that illustrate their connection to Colorado’s land, water or wildlife, along with an essay, poem or caption to reveal more about that connection. The goal was to highlight the diversity and beauty of landscapes across the state and celebrate the unique relationships people have with Colorado’s places and spaces.
Amateur and professional photographers selected from among four categories when submitting their photos and narratives: “Born and Raised,” “Fell in Love – and Stayed,” “Indigenous Ties,” and “Workin’ It.” A total of 34 photos were submitted.
An online gallery features all 34 photos and their narratives. “Top Picks” and “Staff Picks” will be celebrated September 1 in a gallery exhibit and reception at the American Mountaineering Center in Golden – an event that will also honor 9 Conservation Heroes and Conservation Champions.
Congratulations to the following “Top Picks” photographers:
Sarah Malerich, whose photo titled “You Can See Forever” was taken near Pawnee Buttes in the Pawnee National Grasslands. Category: Born and Raised.
Lynn Shore, whose photo titled “The Grand River” was taken on the Colorado River between Silt and Rifle. Category: Born and Raised.
Jason Swann, whose photo titled “Stepping into the Sunrise” was taken at Long Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park. Category: Fell in Love – and Stayed.
Dan Downing, whose photo titled “Spring Wind, Mt. Antero” was taken in Chaffee County. Category: Fell in Love – and Stayed.
Montoya Whiteman, whose photo “3+1” was taken at Rocky Mountain Arsenal’s National Wildlife Refuge. Category: Indigenous Ties.
Rio de la Vista, whose photo “Harvesting the Green” was taken at the Colville family’s Corset Ranch on the Rio Grande in Rio Grande County. Category: Workin’ It.
Olander Farms and photographer Emily Sierra, whose photo “Barley Walk” was taken at Olander Farms on the northern Front Range. Category: Workin’ It.
The following photographers were selected for “Staff Pick” awards:
Todd Warnke, whose photo “Colors, Mother Earth and Father Sky” was taken at Paint Mine Interpretive Park near Calhan. Category: Fell in Love – and Stayed.
Patrick Gardner, whose photo “McElmo Community Library” was taken at McElmo Canyon. Category: Fell in Love – and Stayed.
Montoya Whiteman, whose photo “Come Into My Lair” was taken at Rocky Mountain Arsenal’s National Wildlife Refuge. Category: Indigenous Ties.
Sean McNeil, whose photo “Place of Spirits” was taken at Vail Pass. Category: Born and Raised.
Bari Gisin, whose photo “Moving Sky II” was taken between Erie and Longmont. Category: Fell in Love – and Stayed.
One unique feature of Colorado the Beautiful: Tapestry of Photos is the request for an essay, poem or other caption that explains the photographer’s personal connection to the photo’s content. Submissions were judged with these two concepts in mind. That idea was inspired by a book published by New York’s Frick Madison Museum. The book is a collection of essays by artists, writers and other cultural figures as they reflect on various pieces of art in the museum.
“I was really drawn to this idea of giving Coloradans the chance to tell their story about how they personally connect to the place they’ve chosen to photograph,” said Linda Lidov, director of membership and communications for Keep It Colorado. “So many people in Colorado have a deep sense of connection to the land – whether they were born here, hailed from somewhere else, or have Indigenous ties to the land.”
She added, “The photos are powerful on their own, and part of their beauty is that they’re open to interpretation. But for a person to talk about their personal relationship with the place gives a whole new dimension to the art. It’s an illustration of why conserving Colorado’s special places and protecting them for the future is so important.”
Registration for the Fall Reception opens to the public on August. 1 and is free for Keep It Colorado members, partners, sponsors, and award recipients and their guests. Tickets for the public cost $15 each. Photos will be on display at the American Mountaineering Center through the month of September.
Sponsors of the Fall Reception include Conservation Tax Credit Transfer, Kaplan Kirsch & Rockwell, City Star Brewing, Oliko Ginger Beer, Tax Credit Connection, and Scenic and Historic Byways.
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