A Happy, Sunny Day of Beautification!
Milestones Preschool was a big part of the Alley Beautification Day on Saturday, September 26. A lovely collection of neighbors gathered to clean the alley and "Co-Create" through a collection of murals.
An added feature of the day entailed honoring our alley neighbor, city servant of 45 years, Dennis Gallagher! We are "renaming" the alley "Gallagher's Way," as illustrated in the crest that neighbor and artist Marlene Feinholz (http://www.marlenefeinholz.com) created for the event. Marlene's typical subjects for her paintings depict often lesser know vistas of Denver city landscapes, rooftop views and secluded alleys, some of which only "native" residents of Denver might recognize. It was special to have her involved with the project. Mr. Gallagher walked the alley Saturday and personally thanked our hard workers as he offered quotes and stories about America being the place where people "get stuff done!"
Before . . .
after!
Our third artist facilitating was Sharon Fiore, also a neighbor. Sharon used her skills as a teacher and artist to create detachable murals to be added to various structures along the alley. Below, two year old, Charlotte was one of the first, early Saturday morning, to add her touches to one of these murals. It was great that folks from Charlotte's age clear up to "mature adult" participated in the painting!
This event was made possible by the combined efforts of:
- Our little preschool (www.ready-to-learn.org), it was such a testament to our preschool community that both new families and Milestones "alumni" attended.
- The Chaffee Park-Regis Sustainable Neighborhood Network, (www.sustainableneighborhoodnetwork.org) this organization and head, Taylor Moellors have been positive instigators in many of our Denver neighborhoods and were great supporters!
- Berkeley Community Church (berkchurchucc.org) BCC has been a part of the neighborhood since before most of the houses were built - over 100 years! The congregation is comprised of some of the coolest, most accepting and warm individuals around. Artists and musicians use space at the church, giving it a lovely community feeling.
- All artists involved wonderfully volunteered their skills!
We all enjoyed a well-deserved potluck under the trees of the south lawn of the church afterwards.
Funds were raised last year at an event at the church called "Co-Create." This term has become dear to my heart. It was coined by author and city-activist, Peter Hegeyama who has written a book called, For the Love of Cities. Mr. Hegeyama's words ring true to me as I watch my neighborhood change with its growing popularity. Some of the anchor-businesses, indie coffee houses, antique stores and funky spots have been disappearing with the increase in real estate. Reading this book caused me to reflect on why I moved to this particular part of Denver and further led me to seek out my neighbors and create an action that reflected that creative, grass roots feeling that initially attracted me to North West Denver.
Below a quote from the book that struck home:
"What ultimately makes a community is usually a relatively small number of citizens who have an emotional connection with their city that make the difference. These citizens who, often without realizing it, make a city a place you actually want to live in... I call these people, 'co-creators' - they build on existing elements and collaborate with others to make new things. They are connectors and catalysts who in turn inspire others to get involved and contribute to the making of their community."
During the alley event planning and on Saturday, we truly co-created.
Thanks to EVERYONE.
All pictures were taken by blossoming photographer (and my beloved son) Jack Carstens (jackcarstensphotography.blogspot.com)
