By Shannon Lukens.

 

A new art sculpture called One Million Branches is on display at the Gondola Transit Center at Steamboat Ski Resort. It has taken a year for Steamboat Springs artist Sage Sullivan to create the large piece, which was unveiled Wednesday afternoon.

“It’s so awesome to have it really welcoming in everyone, if it’s locals or tourists or anyone even if you’re just enjoying the base. And I hope everyone gets drawn in to take some time to reflect and look and also feel welcome and open their hearts to everyone in their community. It’s incredibly special. I can’t believe I get to drive by it every day now.”

 

Artists were asked to create a piece representing “What Makes You Feel Welcome in the Outdoors.” Nearly 20 artists from across the country applied and Sage was selected. Sage grew up in Steamboat Springs and is a graduate of Steamboat Springs High School before attending CSU.

One Million Branches represents a vision of four key components:

• Integral & Unique: wildflowers are innately hardy and adapt to flourish in harsh environments, growing independently and naturally. The diverse, indigenous plants of the Rocky Mountains are essential for ecological growth, health and homeostasis. They maintain an ecosystem of biodiversity which speaks about the essential celebration and respect for marginalized groups, BIPOC and LGTBQIA2S+ communities.
• Unity & Connection through Aspens, the largest living organisms on earth, to speak to the concept that “we may all appear as singular individuals when, in reality, humans cannot survive on our own. We not only crave community and connections, but fundamentally need it to survive.”
• Stewards of Nature are responsible in the use and protection of the natural environment through conservation and sustainable practices, paying homage to the Nuche (Ute) and other First Nation indigenous people who used the trees for medicinal purposed and in construction of lodges and tipis. The Native American tipi is a doorway to intimacy with nature and oneself.
• Acknowledging: The native land Steamboat Springs is located on land that belongs to generations that came before and the expansion of the west was on the backs of immigrants, minority groups and enslaved peoples. Utilizing horseshoes and railroad spikes from the valley represents the colonization of the western world.

 

“The communication and relationships displayed in the elements represent our mountain community and how it is spread all over the world,” said Sullivan. “Through the welcoming and hospitable spirit of Ski Town, U.S.A.® you can always find a friend of the valley to catch up with or lean on. We all come in different shapes, sizes and hues and we all have our own strengths, weaknesses and gifts to contribute to our little corner of the Rocky Mountains. So come as you are. Come with your friends, your family, your loved ones.”

 

“As we envisioned this project coming to life, we were bolstered by the notion the resort was commissioning an up-and-coming artist with her largest installation,” said Sarah Jones, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Steamboat Ski & Resort Corporation. “We hope audiences are as inspired and in awe of Sage’s interpretation of being welcoming the outdoors as we are. This installation will be the centerpiece for guests arriving to play at the resort and we are honored to showcase it.”

 

Sage and her brothers