2025-06

Redstone

Magical Moments Summer Concert Series

JUNE 7

River Spell

COAL BASIN 4:00-5:30 PM

A Colorado-based jam band that delivers heartfelt songwriting and extended improvisation. River Spell’s timeless, yet innovative sound encompasses elements of folk, rock, funk, psychedelic and bluegrass music. Held at Coal Basin Ranch in conjunction with RFOV restoration project.

JULY 12

Delta Sonics

REDSTONE PARK 6:00-8:00PM

Chicago Blues based music seasoned with swing, Delta N’awlings and R&B. A show not to be missed with vocals, foot stomping harmonica playing, slide guitar, bass and drums. See why they have been named Colorado Blue Society’s Favorite Blues Band for the last two years.

JUNE 14

Queen Bees

REDSTONE PARK 6:00-8:00PM

From Americana, Country, Indie Bluegrass, and Folk, this magical, all-female, band weaves together original stories and new interpretations of classic covers with stunning harmonies, inspiring melodies, and the perfect feminine touch.

JULY 19

David Brown

COAL BASIN RANCH 6:00-7:30 PM

David Brown (of Rising Appalachia) is a multiinstrumentalist and singer steeped in the traditions of Appalachian and Irish folk music. Brown will be joined by other musician friends, including another local favorite Natalie Spears. A collector of old songs, his performances blend delicate banjo and guitar work with a deep reverence for roots music. Coal Basin Ranch turns 5!

AUGUST 16

Shawn Mayer

REDSTONE PARK 6:00-8:00PM

Shawn Mayer is a rock superstar and international country artist whose commanding voice and electrifying stage presence have earned her legendary status in the music world. With a career that spans multiple genres and countries, Shawn’s music blends the raw energy of rock with the heart and soul of country, creating a sound that is both timeless and bold.

JUNE

28

Steve Manshel

REDSTONE PARK 6:00-8:00PM

Steve Manshel returns with a combination of catchy originals, a variety of audience favorite Classic Rock and some of the ‘hits’ from his years with FireFall. He combines his inimitable voice, guitar playing, energy and humor.

AUGUST 2

Blue Canyon Boys

REDSTONE PARK 6:00-8:00PM

The Blue Canyon Boys are equal parts purists and innovators when it comes to Bluegrass: they stay true to the form’s roots while constantly reimagining their relationship to tradition. The result is a toe-tapping mix of haunting standards, genre-bending arrangements, and catchy original numbers—all built on the bedrock of their collective bluegrass mastery.

AUGUST 23

Hand Turkey

COAL BASIN RANCH 6:00-7:30 PM

Hand Turkey returns to Coal Basin Ranch, bringing high-energy, groove-centered tunes that aim to get people moving. With backgrounds ranging from jazz composition to musical theater, the band members create a sound they describe as “a fresh take on classic funk, soul and pop.” Green Chili Feast at Coal Basin Ranch

RAF Kick-off to Summer with Second Annual Redstone Plein Air Festival and Makers Market

From the Redstone Art Foundation

Join the Redstone Art Foundation for the return of Redstone’s Plein Air Festival. From June 24th to June 29th, plein air artists will gather in Redstone, Colo., to paint and display the art for all to see.

Public art demonstrations, artist discussion, quick draw painting contest,

awards, live music, and more happening all in Redstone. New this year is a Makers Market on Saturday, June 28th from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Makers will be paired with businesses along the Redstone Boulevard, in a similar fashion to RAF’s holiday market, where they will offer art and other handmade goods. If you are a creator who is interested in participating in this summer’s market, contact Joy Springfield with Joy & Wyld at springfieldjoy@gmail.com

Come up to Redstone where you can see art come alive while mingling with the artists who are making it happen!

bonuS WorkShop: Monday, June 23rd

Are you ready to get out of your studio and paint the landscape from life?

Join award-winning plein air oil painter, Scott Ruthven, in beautiful for his exciting one-day plein air painting workshop! Ruthven will teach you his

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secrets for better compositions, engaging color, and the strategies to improve your success when painting on location.

Ruthven will demonstrate the concepts so you can see them firsthand and ask questions. In the afternoon, you’ll have ample time to paint the magnificent scenery yourself, with Ruthven as your guide. This workshop is intended for painters working in oil or acrylic, the $140 fee includes lunch, and space is limited to 10 participants. For more information or to register, please visit www.redstoneartfoundation.org/ upcoming-events/plein-air-paintingworkshop-with-scott-ruthven

tueSday, June 24th:

• 8:00 am: Artist registration and painting in the valley around Redstone begins

• 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm: Casual Artist Dinner at Redstone Gallery

WedneSday, June 25th:

Artist Paint Day: Plein air artists will be painting around Redstone. Come and watch as art is created.

• 10:00 a.m. — 12:00 p.m.: Lanny Grant will hold a discussion and conversation about Plein Air at Redstone Gallery

• 2:00 p.m. — 3:00 p.m.: Public demonstrations from Rebecca Swain-Grant, a mosaic artist, along Redstone Boulevard

thurSday, June 26th:

Artist Paint Day

Plein Air Demonstrations along Redstone Boulevard all afternoon.

• 2:00 p.m. — 4:00 p.m.: Quick Draw Painting Contest along Redstone Boulevard

• 4:30 p.m. — 6:00 p.m.: Awards and Redstone Historic Society Membership Drive Soiree at the Durrent house

Annual & Basic Care

Dentistry

Urgent Care

Affordable Wellness Plan Memberships

Surgery

Pet Food & Pharmacy

Hospice and End-of-Life Care

friday, June 27th:

Artist Paint Day

• 1:00 p.m. — 3:00 p.m.: Dean Bowlby Artist Talk and Demo

• 2:00 p.m. — 4:00 p.m.: Public demonstrations of plein air painting along the boulevard in the afternoon

• 4:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m.: Gouache painting demonstration by Dione Holt at Joy & Wyld

• 6:00 p.m.: Artists turn in their Plein Air Art

• 6:30 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.: Private artists, sponsors, and Redstone Art Foundation Members gather at Joy & Wyld.

• 8:00 p.m.: Plain air painting closes and artists turn in paintings for judging.

Saturday, June 28th:

All work will be on display and available for purchase at Joy & Wyld during the entire day.

• 10:00 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.: Explore the Maker's Market along the Redstone Boulevard

• 12:00 p.m. — 1:00 p.m.: Awards Ceremony at Joy & Wyld with cocktails and snacks.

• 1:00 p.m. — 3:00 p.m.: Richie Vios Watercolor Demo

• 3:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m.: Live Music at Joy & Wyld

• 6:00 p.m. — 8:00 p.m.: Redstone Magical Moments Summer Concert at the Redstone Park with Steve Manshell

Sunday, June 29th:

All work will be on display and available for purchase at Joy & Wyld during the entire day at 173 Redstone Boulevard with live music, wine, and cheese.

• 9:30 a.m. — 11:00 a.m.: Redstone Historic Walking Tour

• 11:00 a.m. — 1:00 p.m.: Cake Decorating Class

RAF Announces Jack Roberts Scholarship Recipients

From the Redstone Art Foundation

The Redstone Art Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Jack Roberts Memorial Scholarship. This year, four senior high school students from the Roaring Fork Valley have been selected for the award. Each recipient plans to pursue art as a major or minor in their continuing education.

The Jack Roberts Memorial Scholarship is presented annually by RAF to outstanding art students, who best demonstrate both artistic achievement and a clear desire to continue their art studies after graduation.

Jack Roberts was a well-known American regional painter who lived and worked in his self-built cabin and studio south of Redstone for over 30 years. In honor of Jack’s memory— and to help ensure that the heritage and passion for art continues to thrive in our treasured and beautiful community—the Redstone Art Foundation awards these annual scholarships.

For more information about RAF and the Jack Roberts Memorial Scholarship, please visit www.redstoneartfoundation.org

Ron parlayed resources to acquire the Coke Ovens site, apply conservation easements, and oversee the multimillion dollar restoration.

Capturing Carbon: a Coal basin Methane projeCt CoMMunity event

By Gentrye Houghton

The Community Office for Resource Efficiency will host an informational event at the Third Street Center in Carbondale, Colo., to discuss the Coal Basin Methane Project on June 12th starting at 5:30 p.m.

CORE has been involved with the Coal Basin Methane Project since 2021, in an attempt to better understand the

CoMMunity Meeting: June 12th starting at 5:30 p.m. at theThird Street Center 520 S. 3rd St., Carbondale

level of methane emissions escaping from the abandoned coal mines above Redstone, Colo., and how to mitigate current emissions.

Tara Stitzlein, Chief of Staff with CORE, and Chris Caskey, Founder of Delta Brick and Climate Company, are teaming up to share an inside look at this groundbreaking effort to address one of the greatest contributors of greenhouse gas emissions in Pitkin County.

Caskey led a study intended to gain an understanding of emissions qual ity and quantity in 2023 from June through October and released the find ings of that study early last year. At a Crystal River Caucus meeting, he

The MARBLE/marble Symposium is back with three sessions starting in July!

1st Session: July 2 - 9

2nd Session: July 15 - 22

3rd Session: July 29 - Aug 5

Come carve beautiful Colorado marble with scultors from around the world, or come check out the carvings from students and instructors alike -- many works will be o ered for sale.

told participants that they found 1,950 metric tonnes emitting from the mines during the time of the study, “How it translates to emissions during the rest of the year,” he said, “we don’t know, but this is the best we’re going to get.”

At that time, he predicted that mitigation could capture somewhere between 9.5% and up to 20% of emissions. Along with this prediction, Caskey felt that the quantity and quality of methane being emitted made the use of a regenerative thermal oxidizer a viable

a ‘big announcement’ quite yet,” said Jami  McMannes, CORE’s Communications and Engagement Manager, “We have our fingers crossed that we will by the event, but for now, it's a refresher about the project.”

When asked about an update, Jennifer Schuller, USFS Deputy District Ranger, replied that, at the time of publication, there is no new information regarding the methane mitigation project in Coal Basin. She said, “The application is still under review and we do not have an estimated timeline for completion at this point.”

This month’s hour-and-a-half informational event is free and open to the public, an RSVP is recommended.

We welcome every experience level and artistic style. The 8-day Symposium provides everything including marble, tools, carving sites, workshops, demos, and private instruction.

Registration available online, or come spectate by stopping in at The Marble Gallery for directions.

www.marbleinst.org info@MARBLEmarble.org

Seed Library

Thursday, April 24 - Monday, June 30*

Pick up a packet of short season vegetable or herb seeds from the Pitkin County Library.

Seeds are available in the Redstone Inn Book Room while supplies last.

Letter to the Editor

iS it happening here?

Two famous American novels, The Iron Heel (1908) by Jack London and It Can’t Happen Here (1935) by Sinclair Lewis, are worth reading or rereading in these troubled times (you can find a synopsis of each on Google).

Here are two summaries from Wikipedia that summarize the message of these two dystopian novels:

“The Iron Heel paints a grim picture of a future America where a powerful group of capitalists, known as The Iron Heel, seize control (of the government) and establish a fascist dictatorship.”

In It Can’t Happen Here, Lewis considers themes like American totalitarianism and the conditions necessary for liberal democracy to survive. According to Wikipedia, he “argues for a politically engaged and informed citizenry that can resist the empty promises of demagogues, and for establishment political and economic elites to be

aware of how they may inadvertently create the conditions that allow totalitarianism to flourish.”

Unfortunately, the grim takeover of our democracy (as predicted in these two novels) by a demagogue(who seems to be able to make draconian decisions without the approval of our Senators and Representatives) and extremely wealthy capitalists may actually be taking place right now, right here. And we, the citizens of a threatened and possibly fading great democracy, must act individually and/or in groups now!

Uncle Sam needs you to join the fight for the preservation of democracy! And he needs you now! Write your elected officials in the Senate and House of Representatives. Join action groups. Above all, don’t just sit back and let others fight the good fight for you!

Clay Boland Jr.  Carbondale, Colorado

he C rys Tal V alley & Marble Times

Mission Statement: To provide a voice for the residents of the Crys tal River Valley; to bring attention to the individuals and local busi nesses that are the fabric of the Crystal Valley region; to contribute to the vitality of our small town life.

EDITOR AND ADVERTISING SALES

Gentrye Houghton gentryeh@hotmail.com

CONTRIBUTORS

DJ Sugar Monkey

Amber McMahill

DISTRIBUTION AND LAYOUT DESIGN

Ryan Kenney

The Crystal Valley Echo is published monthly, and is distributed through out the Crystal Valley.

Marble Musuem Moves Temporarily

From Lynn "Jake" Burton

The Marble Historical Society will operate its museum in the Swift house this summer, due to construction across the street at the Marble Charter School. Several information displays, such as the one about the Lincoln Me-

morial, are included. The museum is open Thursdays through Sundays, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donations will be accepted. Photograph provided by Lynn “Jake” Burton.

Wild and Scenic Collaborative Update

From

the Wild and Scenic Feasibility

Subcommittee Co-Chairs: Hattie Johnson, Lea Linse-Hirro, and Michael Gorman

A group of local stakeholders continues to consider avenues for permanent protection of the Crystal River, one of the last free-flowing rivers in the state.

Formed in 2022 under the shared goal of achieving durable protections for the Crystal River that would prevent dams or out-of-basin diversions, the stakeholder group (the Crystal River Wild and Scenic and Other Alternatives Feasibility Collaborative) is made up of community members including landowners, recreationists, ranchers, and river advocates, and is led by Gunnison and Pitkin Counties, the Town of Marble, and the Colorado River Water Conservation District.

In 2024, the group agreed to create three subcommittees to continue working on three possible approaches to river protection: Wild and Scenic legislative designation, state-held Instream Flow Rights, and an Intergovernmental Agreement between the two counties. The three subcommittees were directed to explore each protection mechanism and report back to the broader Steering Committee to discuss a path forward.

The Wild and Scenic Feasibility Subcommittee was tasked with drafting a proposal for a

Crystal River Wild and Scenic package tailored to meet the specific needs and flexibility expressed by the community. These include a set of 14 shared values and criteria identified by the Steering Committee with input from the community and agreement that these would need to be addressed in any Wild and Scenic proposal in order to move it forward. The list includes criteria and values such as protecting a healthy river corridor, sustainable recreation, respecting private property rights, water rights, and local agriculture.

The subcommittee is currently working to develop a Wild and Scenic proposal for the Crystal River that addresses each of these values and criteria and report its findings to the Steering Committee. The group meets regularly and is building a foundation of understanding through mutual fact-finding and shared learning. Monthly meetings have included consulting with U.S. Forest Service officials and legislative experts, exploring how the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act works, how it protects river values, the policies behind the Act, and how the Forest Service implements those policies.

The group has started looking into how standard legislative language addresses the community’s shared values, and where there might

be flexibility to further tailor this legislation to the needs and character of the Crystal Valley community. The subcommittee is not deciding whether to move forward with potential legislation.

To help complete its work, the subcommittee is hiring a neutral facilitator this summer and aims to develop a final report that outlines how a legislative proposal could protect community-held values while addressing local concerns by early 2026. The report will offer a tangible Crystal-specific proposal for discussion and could potentially be used as a foundation for legislative language if the Steering Committee decides to move ahead with Wild and Scenic River protection.

To build a proposal that has buy-in from diverse stakeholders, the group will be looking closely at its criteria along with input from the community and will look for ways to craft a Crystal River Wild and Scenic proposal that protects river values while also addressing the needs and concerns identified by community members.

The subcommittee will be sharing updates on The Crystal Valley Echo’s website as information becomes available, including committee meeting schedules, opportunities for public input, resources, meeting recordings, and notes. For information on the process over the last couple of years as well as continued updates on the subcommittee, visit thecrystalvalleyecho.com/ wild-scenic-stakeholder.

Town of Marble Board of Trustees' May Meeting Recap

An Account from DJ Sugar Monkey

Little did I know that when I arrived at the Marble Community Church Fellowship Hall I was in for a three-hour marathon. The seductive combination of a warm spring evening and frolicking foxes in the adjacent church garden had lulled me into the false expectation that the latest gathering of the stewards of Marble would be swift and breezy. With a full Board of Trustees, proceedings got underway at 6:13 p.m.

First out of the blocks was Town Administrator Ron Leach who extended a warm welcome to Mark Beckler, Principal of Sopris Engineering and resident of Hermit’s Hideaway. Beckler has been working with Leach to address safety issues associated with the aging marble walls and columns in the Mill Site Park. The task of making these structures safe, according to Leach, had “percolated to the top of the Town’s priorities.”

Beckler and Leach had toured the park, agreeing that the job ahead of them is done right and taken slow, Beckler added, “That piece of property (the Mill Site Park) is a gem.” He spoke of his extensive experience in shepherding similar projects through the public process. When asked by the ever financially vigilant Councilman Dustin Wilkey whether he would volunteer his time at no cost to the Town, Beckler replied “Yes, for free,” (referring to the initial assessment of the area that he had conducted already with Leach).

The initial cost of an engineering assessment will come in at $10,000, 50 percent of which will be grant-funded with the balance to be picked up by the Town. Beckler shared that “the columns are in better shape than you’d think” and informed the Board of the availability of “incredible grout applications” that could be employed in their restoration. However, some of the walls, he admitted, were more of a concern.

When asked by Larry Good how far the $10,000 would go to mitigate safety issues, Beckler said the sum was a “good start” and that fencing off the riskier structures might be a good initial “Band-Aid solution.” Dustin Wilkey wondered whether the Town might approach Colorado Stone Quarries for an “in-kind donation.” Beckler answered that it might be worth talking to them in “terms of material” should a partial rebuild become necessary. Leach agreed to reach out to

The Marble Town Council meets on the rst Thursday of each month starting at 6 p.m. in the Marble Community Church’s Fellowship Hall.

Town of Marble meetings are open to the public.

the Quarry and Beckler to follow up with his contacts regarding further funding options that might be available for the project.

Attending the meeting on speakerphone was Town attorney Kendall Burgemeister to address potential legal wrinkles associated with ongoing discussions about the creation of a “commercial corridor” through Marble. His first concern was whether the zoning of a corridor would be consistent with the Town’s Master Plan and would necessitate the creation of a completely new zoning category.

He recommended that a mixed-use zone would probably provide the best solution with “use by review” for everyone living on the proposed strip. Burgemeister clarified that property taxes would be based on use rather than zoning but cautioned that challenges might arise to “discriminatory” decisions about the types of business allowed.

Amber McMahill voiced the need to produce a document setting out a clear foundation for a public hearing on the matter, proposing the Town limit use by right to wholesale or retail stores and professional offices. Mayor Vinciguerra clarified that the Town’s goal was to prevent arbitrary decisions from being made that would hinder the establishment of a framework open to public opinion.

Larry Good voiced his frustration with the process saying, “People [will] get more clarity by coming to Town Council meetings.” When asked by Marble resident Angus Barber whether subject to public review, residents could still find themselves living next to a business whether they liked it or not (which is the current situation), Mayor Vinciguerra emphasized that the Town’s goal was to streamline the process so “we don’t

get sued.”

Good brought the discussion to its conclusion saying, “It may make sense to put together a list of businesses that people don’t want.” It was agreed that a fact sheet would be created to be followed by public outreach at the next meeting.

At this point, the sound of rapid clicking of a ballpoint pen broke out from the row behind me. A glance over my shoulder revealed the architect of the disturbance to be Vince Savage, the owner of the Marble Lodge on Beaver Lake (not to be confused with the Beaver Lake Lodge run by Karen and Larry Good). Savage loftily expressed his displeasure with the pace at which the meeting was progressing, claiming that his bedtime was fast approaching.

Unperturbed by Savage’s interruption, the Board moved on to further discuss the issue of paid parking in Town. Burgemeister informed the Trustees that he had still yet to receive any word from Colorado’s Small Business Administration (SBA). Regular readers of this column will recall that the SBA has been shamefully uncommunicative for an astonishingly long time despite being hounded regularly on the issue by the Town Council.

Trustee Good declared that after waiting fruitlessly for clarification from the SBA, “We’re about to go rogue.” McMahill made a motion to go ahead without input from the SBA, which passed unanimously.

Paid parking in Marble has now commenced starting on May 30th. When asked how the payment of parking fees would be enforced, Burgemeister advised that “any kind of enforcement would require a Town ordinance.”

toWn of Marble Continued. . .

Responding to the question of what the Town can do if someone refuses to pay, Mayor Vinciguerra joked, “[We’ll] throw a rock through their windshield.” Enforcement, he added, would be “very soft” at first. The Board approved the sum of $5,000 for the establishment of the parking system and its associated signage (to also include the base of Daniels Hill).

Next, Leach disclosed that he and Terry Langley had attended an Evacuation Planning conference in Crested Butte, Colo., for the benefit of Fire Departments and Town Managers in the region. He gave an enthusiastic account of the gathering, in which tabletop disaster scenarios had been presented for discussion. The Marble scenario had assumed an acute wildfire emanating from Hermit’s Hideaway on a theoretical September 30th start date.

He said that the evacuation of the Town had been of deep concern, describing the theoretical scenario as a serious situation. Leach, the ex-Fire Chief of Carbondale and Rural Fire Protection District for 38 years, admitted, “You couldn’t paint a more dire scenario.”

“The Marble part [of the simulation] was terrifying,” Langley confessed. The two administrators plan to work on an all-risk evacuation plan for Marble. Leach added that $500 grants were available to homeowners to help meet the cost of fireproofing homes in the county. El Tel drew the discussion to a close. “ELMO,” she announced:  Enough, let’s move on!

The next item on the agenda concerned the need for a survey of East Hill Street, which provoked another bout of pen clicking from behind me. East Marble resident Angus Barber explained how Savage, his neighbor of nine years, had

engaged in extensive and unpermitted excavation and building work over the years on Savage’s two properties adjacent to East Hill Street. A survey of the road, he argued, might now be required to put a halt to what Barber described as significant “overreach” on the part of his “industrious” neighbor, describing East Hill Street as a “demilitarized zone” existing between them. It is noteworthy that both of Savage’s East Hill Street parcels sit in Gunnison County, outside the boundaries of the Town of Marble.

Back in November, following numerous complaints from neighbors, a subsequent site visit was conducted by Town Administrator Ron Leach and Martin Schmidt, deputy Head of Public Works for Gunnison County. As a result, Savage was issued a stop work order, a notice of violation, and a cease and desist notice from Gunnison County in April.

According to the County document, Savage has cleared more than 7,500 square feet of land, built an extension to a garage, constructed a network of roads without the requisite permits, and included a land use violation related to long-term camping without a permit. As a consequence, Savage has now been ordered to cease the activity while submitting a detailed restoration plan for the disturbed area and to obtain the necessary permitting that meets current standards.

In response to Barber during last month’s meeting, Savage moved from the back of the

room to take a seat in front of the Board of Trustees to offer his perspective, launching into an elaborate, and at times incoherent account, of the various surveys he claimed to have commissioned for these properties. His rambling testimony was cut short by Mayor Vinciguerra after Savage failed to heed his request to “hit pause.” The Mayor concluded that if a survey of the boundaries was to be commissioned, the Town would not be footing the bill and adjourned the meeting.

The next meeting of the Town of Marble Board of Trustees will be held on Thursday, June 5th at the Marble Community Church Fellowship Hall starting at 6 p.m.

There will be a Town of Marble Master Plan meeting, open to the public, on June 20th at the Marble Fire Station. In order to encourage more audience participation, the format of the meeting will be “table to table” rather than a slideshow presentation. Attendance is much encouraged, particularly given the breakneck speed at which the Town is moving forward — many thanks to Amber McMahill for spearheading this process.

DJ Sugar Monkey is a resident of Marble. You can tune into his music show “Snack Time” on KDNK every other Thursday from noon to 2 p.m.

RHS's Vintage Valley: Frank Mechau's "Rodeo #1"

From Lauren Anuszewski

Colorado painter and muralist Frank Mechau (pronounced “may-show,” 1904–1946) championed the American West as a subject for modern American art. His 1934 painting “Rodeo #1,” which visitors can see in the Western American art galleries on the seventh floor of the Martin Building at the Denver Art Museum (DAM), marks a pivotal year in Mechau’s early career and represents a strong statement of his ideals about American art.

Mechau grew up in Glenwood Springs, Colo., and attended the University of Denver before he moved east to New York and then on to Paris where he worked for a few years, and traveled across Europe. He returned to Colorado at the height of the Great Depression in 1932, and his success in Europe helped him establish a place in the Denver art scene.

The year 1934 proved to be a monumental year for Mechau. He received his first of many mural commissions through the New Deal’s Public Works of Art Program (PWAP), painting the successful “Horses at Night” for the Denver Public Library. In May 1934, Mechau was awarded the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship, becoming the first Colorado artist to achieve this honor. The Guggenheim Fellowship provided financial support over the course of a year for promising intellectuals and creatives who were required to spend their year of study abroad.

Exceptionally, Mechau was allowed to stay in the United States during his fellowship; instead of returning to Europe, he spent the summer in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley, among the mountains in which he was raised. In Cile Bach’s book Frank Mechau: Artist of Colorado, she notes that he wrote: In this year of study I want to saturate my mind with the rich material of landscape, rodeos, and horses with which this territory abounds.

He felt these to be thoroughly American subjects, and they became the focus of his art.

During this summer in the mountains, Mechau painted “Rodeo #1”, an energetic rodeo scene featuring four horses and three riders in front of a bright white fence and dramatic, cloudy sky. This work is characteristic of Mechau’s early style. His use of one-point perspective, simplified figures, and strong linear forms reveals his interest in early Italian Renaissance and modern European painting. By juxtaposing the horizontal, vertical, and diagonal lines of architectural forms with the curving lines of horses and riders, Mechau expresses a sense of energy and vitality.

At the end of 1934, Mechau submitted “Rodeo #1” to the Second Biennial of Contemporary American Painting at the Whit-

ney Museum of American Art in New York City, N.Y. Amongst the 153 American artists— including Charles Demuth, Georgia O’Keeffe, Thomas Hart Benton, Edward Hopper, Marsden Hartley, and Grant Wood — only a handful were from the West, making Mechau’s inclusion even more impressive. This exhibition of contemporary American painting centered on East Coast artists and focused on the ongoing Depression. Many artists presented bleak and hopeless representations of the Dust Bowl’s devastating effects on the West.

Mechau, however, took a different approach. “Rodeo #1” depicts a vibrant, energetic scene

of the West that Mechau knew intimately. He elevates western life to a grand scale on a canvas that measures over three feet by seven feet. The inclusion of “Rodeo #1” in the Whitney Biennial boldly declared not only the vitality of the American West but also the importance and viability of Western subjects in modern American art.

reStoring the painting’S original appearanCe

Before the DAM acquired the painting in 1972, the original surface coating (suspected to be a mixture of shellac and natural resin varnish)

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had discolored to a dull, dark yellow tone. Thick black lines were painted on top of the coating at some point.

Although it is unknown who had added these dark lines, it may have been to differentiate forms after the coating had discolored and rendered the entire image monochromatic. Their heavy-handed application disrupted the composition and energy of Mechau’s painting as it would have been seen at the 1934 Whitney Biennial, a point

underscored by an archival black-andwhite photograph of the painting from around the time it was first exhibited.

before ConServation

After consulting with the Mechau family, and thanks to a generous financial gift from a donor, the Petrie Institute of Western American Art at the DAM initiated the process of conserving the painting and restoring its original ap pearance. Paintings Conservator Yasu

ko Ogino removed the black overpaint and discolored surface coating, a process made difficult by extreme variations in paint application from highly textured areas of many small, fine peaks to very thin, solvent-sensitive passages. The painting transformed from a drab, though dynamic, subject into the lively and expressive masterwork that had originally been presented to the public nearly 90 years ago.

Fellow for the University Art Collections. Born and raised in Colorado, Anuszewski’s research focuses on the arts of the American West with an emphasis on the intersections of art and settler colonialism. Her Master’s Research Paper examined how artist Frank Mechau’s use of East Asian artistic influences to represent local Colorado landmarks bridges the local and global and further reflects a modern globalized sense of place. Anuszewski holds an M.A. in Art History and Museum Studies from the University of Denver and a B.A. in Art History from Bar

Redstone General Store Reopens, Weaving the Past with the Fabric of the Future

By Gentrye Houghton

The charming mountain village of Redstone is buzzing with new energy as its beloved Redstone General Store opens its doors once again. The store, housed in a historic cabin that dates back to the era of coal baron John C. Osgood, had been closed since late February. Significant damage occurred last spring when a heavy tree fell on the building. Now, its reopening over Memorial Day weekend signals the exciting first step in a larger plan to create what those involved describe as a "village within a village." This vision imagines a unique, welcoming com-

munity space nestled within the greater Redstone area, all centered around the cherished Redstone General Store.

The store's temporary shutdown was necessary to facilitate repairs as well as an opportunity to complete the first phase of its rebirth. This initial stage included cosmetic repairs — fixes that refreshed the store's appearance, like mending walls and applying new paint. But the plan reaches beyond just the building. The cheerful ice cream trailer once again stands by to offer sweet delights. This entire first part of the project was slated for completion just in time for last month’s holiday weekend.

Lisa Mattson, who was already involved in a personal project nearby, stepped in to help facilitate the repairs and expressed a strong determination regarding the reopening. Mattson, along with Gina Tossinari and Rochelle Norwood, explained that they have greatly missed the community and are eager to serve them once again,

particularly during the busy summer season.

Mattson recently shared details of this ambitious project during a presentation at the Crystal River Caucus meeting last month. She clarified that the work on the General Store is an ongoing process. There will be continuous incremental repairs, and the second phase is already in development. This next stage aims to add more square footage to the store with the addition of a commercial kitchen. While patrons will continue to find the goods and supplies they’ve come to expect in the store's current location, the addition will continue to create a dedicated retail space as well as expand the existing coffee shop to the old “Wild Horse” building next door, and building a permanent, "proper" ice cream parlor, again, to be located on the adjacent property.

The restoration work already finished on the General Store has been extensive. "During our recent closure, we've

been focused on comprehensive interior restoration," Mattson explains. The aim, she adds, is "to ensure this historic building serves the community for the next century to come.”

This careful work has centered on bringing back the building’s original character. They worked on "improving the space capacity where we can," Mattson notes, meaning they are making more usable room inside. "We've also restored the original fir floors," she says. (If you haven’t stepped into their doors yet, the floors are rather stunning!)

They also exposed chimneys that had been concealed for decades, revealing old fireplaces, and even uncovered a rear window that she explained had been blocked for years. Mattson emphasizes, “These efforts preserve the authentic historic elements that make the General Store special by keeping the genuine, historical parts of the building alive.”

Compelling Design

redStone general Store Continued...

Every new business and building in this "village within a village" will be deeply connected to local history. Oriana Moebius, the owner of both the General Store and the adjacent property, and Mattson are collaborating closely with the Redstone Historical Society. This non-profit group is dedicated to preserving and sharing the town's past. Together, they plan to incorporate artifacts that tell stories about Redstone's past and historical information into each part of the project.

Mattson shares that their focus extends beyond just business, however; they want to contribute meaningfully to the community. She says they aim for people to understand Redstone's importance and its unique story within Colorado.

The new ice cream parlor will bear a name rich with local significance:  Lady Bountiful. This name pays tribute to Alma Osgood, J.C. Osgood’s second wife. Alma was beloved for being

notoriously generous, she was widely known for her great kindness to children and adults alike, and for her immense involvement in the community.

The coffee shop will be called Coal Miner's Daughter, a name that reflects Moebius's family history. The name is just one example of how the project further weaves personal narratives into the new commercial vision.

Moebius's family has deep roots in the Crystal River Valley going back more than 100 years. "After all," Mattson explained to caucus participants last month, "[Moebius] is a coal miner's daughter."

A major component of the upcoming Phase Two is an approved 800-square-foot addition. This new space will house the commercial kitchen. "This expansion will create a seamless connection to our backyard, where we plan to develop additional community gathering areas," Mattson shares, describing a smooth link to outdoor spaces designed for village folk to meet and socialize.

The schedule for this second phase depends on the Pitkin County permitting processes. However, Mattson says, "We're working toward completion by year-end." She adds, "If permits proceed smoothly, construction could begin as early as late June."

This new kitchen will become a busy center of activity. "It will provide prepared foods for the General Store, supply the Coal Miner's Daughter Coffee Shop, and create sweet treats for the

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Lady Bountiful Ice Cream Parlor," Mattson details. "It will also allow us some catering opportunities for the community as well."

At the General Store itself, customers can anticipate fresh loaves of bread, baked goods, sandwiches, side salads, and other grab-andgo items for both on-site dining and takeaway. The kitchen will also allow them to package dry goods using local ingredients, such as pancakes, waffles, and cornbread mixes.

Furthermore, Mattson said that they are already in discussions with local food producers. She explained that the plan is to use the new kitchen facilities to support their canning and food processing needs with products that will be then available on their shelves. "This creates opportunities to strengthen our local food network while offering the community access to locally-produced goods," she said.

Mattson hopes that visitors will find Redstone to be more than just a quick stop on their journey. She hopes they will discover it as a place of respite — a peaceful spot for rejuvenation — rather than just a quick pass-through.

Those involved with the project extend a warm invitation for everyone to visit. They encourage people to come out, support the small community, and experience their warm welcome, where patrons may gather to hear the many interesting stories about Redstone. With its doors now open and a bright future ahead, the General Store is poised to write an exciting new chapter in Redstone's rich history.

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Parting Shot from Charley Speer