Downtown Mural Panel Project in Old Firehouse Alley - West

Date and Time for this Past Event

• Friday, Sep 6, 2024  7am - 9pm

Location

Details

The Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is refreshing the mural panels in Old Firehouse Alley - West. Three Colorado artists have been selected — Ramon Trujillo, Ryan Sauter, and Dominique Montaño — to paint the three mural panels with fresh new designs. Don't miss the live art in action during Downtown Fort Collins First Friday Art Walk™ on September 6.

Ramon's mural concept is entitled: "Totem Dance"
As a native/Latino artist, it is Ramon's mission to preserve the stories, traditions, and heritage of underrepresented communities through his art. He aims to celebrate and honor the rich historical cultures that have thrived on the lands we now occupy. An image of three native dancers stacked like a totem symbolizes the interconnectedness of these ancient cultures, paying tribute to the Cheyenne, Arapahoe, Ute, and numerous other tribes who called this region home. The soft gradient that runs vertically, connecting the dancers and bringing harmony to the piece, reflects the unity and resilience of these diverse cultures.

Through this mural, he aspires to create a lasting impression that honors the past, celebrates the present, and inspires a more inclusive and culturally rich future for all who encounter it. His hope is that this work leaves a positive mark on our planet, serving as a reminder of the beauty and significance of the histories that have shaped our world.

Ryan's mural concept is entitled: “Colorado Central Fort Collins 1877”
After researching more of Fort Collins history, Ryan was inspired by the very first railroad to lay ground in the region. This railroad was a pivotal point in Fort Collins beginnings, opening to a very strong line of trade the area had not seen before. The birth of this railroad proved to be essential for the growth and development of Fort Collins.

The image Ryan designed brings the iconic steam engines of the late 1800s into focus, present with excitement as it rides on a rail through Northern Colorado. He wanted the image to have a historic feel, while blending in some more modern elements of color. The design elements of the old steam engines are nothing short of beautiful, with an aesthetically pleasing industrial, yet simple presence. This piece is titled "Colorado Central Fort Collins 1877", show casing the name of the first railroad company and year in which the history of Fort Collins was forever changed.

Dominique's mural concept is entitled: "Lambs to Rams"
This piece alludes to the historical agricultural connections throughout Fort Collins. From the town's humble beginnings as sheep farmers came the agricultural boom, the establishment of Colorado State University, sugar beet production and harvesting, and an influx of agricultural workers, particularly of Hispanic descent, that coalesce into the forging and creation of Fort Collins.

Fort Collins was known as the lamb feeding capital of the world, utilizing sugar beet tops to feed the growing sheep population, and helped along by the University's agricultural program. This mural will represent that relationship pictorially, with an agricultural harvesters hand holding up the sugar beet, of which the top stalks extend upward to surround the lamb, twisting and turning into what look like the horns of a fully grown lamb. The hand itself is gloved, and provides the classic green and gold color scheme that defines the college and it's agricultural roots. The hand itself owes to the Hispanic and POC workers that played a huge part in forging Fort Collins. Dominique, as a Hispanic individual, did not realize until now the contributions by Hispanic workers into growing the community and wanted to bring that representation to light.