Spirit of Niwot Mural Dedication November 4, 2011

LIZ EMMETT-MATTOX
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All summer long, we’ve been watching the progress on the Excel building mural. On Nov. 4 at 6 p.m., community members are invited to join artist Denise Chamberlain, members of the Niwot Revitalization Committee, officials from Boulder County, Burlington Northern Railroad, and Excel Electric for the mural dedication celebration.

The dedication ceremony is scheduled to coincide with November’s First Friday Art Walk and will feature musical guests the Spirit of Niwot All Stars - a band made up of local blues musicians Randall Dubis, Jill Watkins and Joe Pacheco. There will also be refreshments provided by local bakers.
The idea of putting a mural on the west side of the Excel building was hatched nearly a year ago. The goal was to turn a monochromatic stretch of metal into a work of art.

By the time permits were obtained and funds raised, it was June. Chamberlain laid the first brush strokes on June 7. Since then, she has been out working on the mural nearly every day. As she was putting the final touches on the mural, Chamberlain said, “I don’t want it to end. I just want to keep on painting.”

The total cost of the project was $20,000, of which $15,000 came from LID funds. The remaining $5000 is being funded by individual donations from community members. A protective coating will be applied later at an additional cost.
Part of the community involvement was the Flowers to the People campaign. Anyone who made a $25 donation (or more) was invited to paint a flower on the mural and then sign it. Chamberlain said this was one of the most fun aspects of the project. 

In addition to amateur artists, Chamberlain had help from David Bowes, Christine Love and Roxanna DesJardan. Local artist Cy Hundly, who painted the murals at Niwot Market deserves a lot of credit as well, according to Chamberlain. He was part of the inspiration for the project, though by the time the permits were granted and the funds raised, he wasn’t available to work on the project.
Chamberlain said the project was conceived as a gift to the town of Niwot, “but it’s also the town’s invitation to the county to come and see how special we are.”

Locals will spot many familiar businesses, restaurants and other landmarks in the mural. Look closely and you will find many interesting details such as a left-handed prairie dog and the Courier duck.
In the mural, the guitar leaning against Niwot Market is a reference to the Friday night summer dinners with music. Chamberlain said the smell of pies baking at the nearby My Mom’s Pie bakery inspired the smoke coming from one of the tipis.

“Doing this mural has been an amazing experience,” said Chamberlain, who has been blogging about the mural at www.magicbrushpets.com/blog. “The best part has been getting more connected to Niwot. The people here are amazing. We have no city council or elected officials, no paid people to take care of this stuff, but there are so many business owners who just step up and do it. It’s amazing what they do every day.”

Chamberlain would especially like to thank the members of the Niwot Revitalization Committee: Cotton Burden, Harris Faberman, Dan Hawk, Tony Santelli, Biff Warren and Carrie Wise for their support in getting approval from the county and raising the money to make it all happen.

Tax deductible donations to the mural project can be made to the Niwot Cultural Arts Association at Wise Buys Antiques or mailed to P.O. Box 610, Niwot, CO 80544.

Photo by Liz Emmett-Mattox
Artist Denise Chamberlain puts some final touches on the Spirit of Niwot Mural.