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This is a contributing entry for YMCA of the Rockies: Art and Nature Inspire! Public Art Walking Tour and only appears as part of that tour.Learn More.

Mural in Administration Building

Introduction

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After initially creating murals for the Dorsey Museum, Susan Dailey was asked to complete a mural inside the Administration Building at the YMCA of the Rockies. The hallway outside the general store was the perfect location for a beautiful depiction of a flower-filled meadow with a view of Mt. Ypsilon and the Mummy Range. Dailey has depicted several flowers you can find on a hike or walk around our property. The Columbine is the state flower for Colorado. How many animals can you see here? Can you name them? What animals have you seen during your visit? How many kinds of flowers can you find in this painting? What is your favorite flower?

Images

Right side of the mural

This image shows a small grove of Aspen trees at the far right side of a long mural. The trees are in front of a green, grassy meadow with purple, yellow, and red flowers. Mountains can be seen in the background underneath a blue sky filled with clouds.

Detail of Aspen trees

Seven Aspen trees are depicted in this image. The white of the bark stands out from the green grass and pine trees behind the Aspens. Small yellow and purple flowers are at the bottom of the image with more trees on the other side of the meadow. A small bobcat peeks in from the right side of the painting.

Detail of Mt. Ypsilon and the Mummy Range behind the meadow

Three, gray mountain peaks sit in the middle of the image under a light blue sky with white clouds. Mt. Ypsilon is the center peak. A white "Y" can be seen towards the top of the peak, formed by snow on the crags in the side of the mountain. Lots of pine trees sit in front of the mountains at the back of the meadow.

Left side of the mural

This image shows the left side of the long mural. A couple of Aspen trees grow at the far left edge surrounded by lots of red flowers in the meadow. Two small bunnies are in the foreground while several deer roam among the pine trees on the opposite side of the meadow.

YMCA Centennial Painting

The painting shows a collage of recognizable buildings on YMCA of the Rockies property. From top to bottom, the original Wind River Lodge, the Administration Building, Mountainside Lodge, Hyde Chapel, a cabin, two lodges, a reunion cabin, and the Lula W. Dorsey Museum are depicted among the green pine trees and surrounding natural environment. Guests are shown in between the buildings enjoying various activities from YMCA of the Rockies' 100 years like hiking, skiing, and horseback riding. Three, gray mountain peaks sit in the background. Mt. Ypsilon is in the center, with its snow-covered "Y" in the side of the mountain

Backstory and Context

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When looking at murals, it's interesting to consider the fact that they are a kind of ephemeral art. Murals are typically placed in locations where they could easily be painted over. These pieces usually exist in a particular place and time and cannot be easily removed from the wall, framed, or placed in different spaces.

Realizing this fact can change our relationship with murals and the way we connect with them in space and time. We can appreciate murals a little more knowing they could potentially disappear in a short period of time. Why did the artist choose this location? Why did the artist choose this subject matter? How does the art connect to the surrounding area?

In addition to the murals she has created, Susan Dailey also finished a painting to commemorate the centennial celebration of the YMCA of the Rockies in 2007. The painting shows many recognizable buildings and activities throughout the many seasons that are loved by visitors. The painting currently hangs above the fireplace in the Schlessman Executive Office Building. The painting was turned into souvenir posters so more people could enjoy the piece.

Along with her public art pieces, Susan Dailey designed an outdoor arts program that she managed and taught from 2005 until the summer of 2019. Her programs included plein air painting, sketching and journaling hikes, as well as animal and landscape drawing for children.

For more information on Susan Dailey, use the link below to visit her website. For more information on her other murals in the Dorsey Museum at the YMCA of the Rockies, visit the first entry on this tour.

Sources

Susan K Dailey - Multi Media Artist. Accessed September 19th 2020. http://susankdailey.com/.

Additional Information