Sadie Mural Project
Sadie Schafer received LTAC funding to support a vibrant mural project along the north side of E College Drive, a prominent roadway connecting Fort Lewis College to the rest of Durango. The mural transformed over 550 square feet of damaged, unremarkable concrete into a lively, colorful artwork featuring three bears with intricate abstract designs and patterns of birds and rounded shapes. The design celebrates the natural beauty surrounding Durango while uplifting a highly visible space traveled by hundreds daily.
The wall, over 550 square feet, required concrete repairs and paint removal before painting began. Ted’s Rentals assisted, providing materials and equipment for prep work. Fort Lewis College students joined the painting process, engaging in mural creation, project planning, and community engagement. For the community, the mural serves as a welcoming and beautiful reminder of the amazing place we live and the caring community that we are a part of.
“I personally experienced a lot of positive feedback from the community regarding this project. Numerous people came up to me with positive comments on the project. People were excited about the mural and thought it added new life, color, and pride to the community. It was extremely heartwarming to receive this type of feedback from random community members, and it made me feel incredibly grateful that I created that response from the public.
I had about ten Fort Lewis students join me for a few hours in painting the mural, giving them firsthand experience in large-scale artmaking, teamwork, and community engagement. I think this was an awesome way to show young artists that there are opportunities for large-scale projects like murals within our community and that they have what it takes to pursue similar endeavors.
For me as an individual, this project was especially meaningful because it offered the rare opportunity to be financially compensated for my creative work—something that can be difficult to secure consistently in the arts. It affirmed that my artwork has value, both economically and culturally, and it strengthened my confidence in pursuing creative projects as a viable professional path,” shared Sadie Schafer.
