By Shannon Lukens.

 

A large mural of Gilpin Lake and the Zirkel Wilderness called, “Moment of Awe” is now on display in the gym at North Routt Community Charter School in Clark. An unveiling ceremony was Friday morning.

Here’s NRCCS Principal Dan Kohler.

“As a community school, we thought it was a very nice partnership between Yampa Valley Sustainability Council and North Routt Community Charter School to forge those bonds around this community mural.”

 

The artist of the mural is Julia Ben-Asher. She set it up as a paint-by-number style painting. People throughout the community added to it at different events, including YVSC’s annual Insight: Art for Climate Action fundraiser last summer.

“I think the community did an amazing job coloring it in and being part of it and being up there it looks better than I ever could have hoped for.”

 

Kate Brocato is the Donor Engagement Manager for Yampa Valley Sustainability Council.

“Because it featured such an iconic North Routt location, we thought what better spot to house it than at the North Routt Community Charter School.”

 

 

Press Release from Yampa Valley Sustainability Council; October 2024

“Moment of Awe” North Routt Community Charter School Mural information

Yampa Valley Sustainability Council (YVSC) donated the mural “Moment of Awe” to North Routt Community Charter School in September 2024. The mural, created by local artist Julia Ben-Asher, depicts Gilpin Lake and was created “paint-by-number” style with the help of community members at multiple YVSC events.

The mural project is part of YVSC’s second annual Insight: Art for Climate Action fundraiser, an art auction that celebrates the power of art in communicating the science and meaning of climate action in the Yampa Valley. The 2024 event convened 230 attendees who experienced works related to environmental sustainability and climate action created by over 40 local artists, raising over $63,000 for the organization.

Attendees of Insight: Art for Climate Action helped complete the mural during the event. It was also worked on by attendees of the Climate Serve Showdown, a YVSC intern-led youth volleyball tournament focused on engaging youth in climate action.

The mural demonstrates what a group of people can do when they work together, symbolizing YVSC’s emphasis on the appreciation of our natural environment and the importance of collaboration to protect our community for generations to come.

“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,” Ben-Asher wrote in her artist statement.

• “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.
• I wanted to show this moment and these feelings in this mural, and wanted to design it as a welcoming, accessible paint-by-number to bring in as many community members who want to help complete it.”

Ben-Asher is originally from New Jersey and has been based in Steamboat Springs for most of the past 10 years, where she is continually inspired and energized by the natural world. Julia’s art is mainly in pen and ink, but she also loves mural painting, watercolor and wood burning. When Julia is not making art or on an adventure, she is an elementary school counselor.

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Yampa Valley Sustainability Council (YVSC) is a nonprofit organization that engages people of all ages to protect the Yampa Valley’s unspoiled natural environment and sustain the community’s quality of life for future generations. Through the priority areas of Energy, Transportation, Waste, Resilient Land & Water and Community Engagement, YVSC is bringing the community together to fight climate change locally. Learn more at yvsc.org.