Pumas on prowl for new homes
Cats to be auctioned off as fund-raiser

by Jules Masterjohn

As the summer draws to a close, many will be saying farewell to college-bound children and returning students. For a parent, this parting can be a bittersweet but necessary letting go.

Letting go is a practice lived by artists as well. It can be challenging to part with a work of art, which is often an investment of much of oneself. The process of relinquishment that a parent can feel in allowing a child to have his or her independent life is similar to sending an artwork into the world. Or maybe it’s more like saying goodbye to a pet.

For the artists whose creative progeny are now part of the Pumas on Parade pride, the region’s first-ever public art/public land awareness project sponsored by the San Juan Mountains Association (SJMA), summer’s twilight marks a time of letting go. The 29 area artists who, earlier this year transformed their larger-than-life-size puma sculptures into unique works of art, currently can visit their creative cats by taking treks to locations in Telluride, Dolores, Cortez, Mancos, Durango, Bayfield, Pagosa Springs and Silverton. But by the end of September, these majestic artworks will be removed from their locations, and some will leave the area for “dens” far away. The “puma parents” must say farewell to their creations, which have been lovingly, skillfully and artfully prepared.

Durango artist Amy Vaclav-Felker, creator of “Carousel Cougar,” on display at Telluride’s Public Library, shared that her entire family was affected by her puma’s absence. “When it came to giving the creature up, we all had become very attached to him. We had gone through so much together, and there was an empty spot not only in our lives, but a big hole in our garage space that remained empty for quite some time – as if hoping he’d come back again.”

Durangoan Mary Lou Murray, maker of “Parisian Pumoodle,” being shown at Telluride’s Mountain Village, offered, “It’s kind of like letting a beloved pet go to a better home.”

Karen Gabaldon, owner of a gallery of the same name, has had a puma on display for the last month. “It’s been incredible with the amount of people coming through. Tourists are really interested, and everyone tells me what kind of projects their town did that … it’s kind of connecting for people.”

This kind of connection was exactly what Felicity Broennan, den mother of the Pumas on Parade project and former development director for SJMA, had in mind when she introduced the project in Durango one year ago. She knew that the project would have a strong impact on area artists, businesses and communities. But she had no idea how big it would get. “For a small organization to put something so large into the world, involving so many people and communities and with such complexity of logistics, is a triumph,” Broennan said.

More than 25 major U.S. cities have been home to public art projects where a single sculptural icon is reproduced in multiples and given to artists to recreate in their singular visions. Projects have included angels in Los Angeles, guitars in Cleveland, prairie dogs in Sioux City, pigs in Cincinnati and Seattle, sofas and cows in Chicago, and horses in more than five other cities nationwide. For Broennan, the most nourishing aspect of the Durango-based project is the overwhelming response by people when they see the pumas. “It’s been really fabulous … many people have seen a lot of public art like this around the country and have remarked that our puma is the most majestic animal sculpture they have encountered.”

A young visitor to Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez was greatly inspired to see “Sky Prowler,” by Cortez artist Karen Kristin. In a note to SJMA, his mother wrote: “On a recent visit, my 5-year-old was enthralled with the puma. He took a brochure, so he will know how to make his own! We will take him to visit the others – this is a great way to capture imagination! Thank you!”

The youngest artist to participate in the project, 14-year old Amorina Lee Martinez, from Mancos, was deeply affected by her creation of “Paradise Found” on display at the Mancos Community Center. “This puma project has changed my life. I am always thinking about it and how much I loved decorating my sculpture. What’s really interesting is that I no longer think of the puma as a sculpture but as a living being.”

“Coming out as an artist” was a major benefit for Durango artist Tracey Belt, creator of “Connected Life,” on display at Alpine Bank in Durango. The sheer size of the sculpture pushed her boundaries, which has directly affected her work as a jeweler. “My recent work is huge! And I love it. Most importantly, I feel the puma project brought to light what our community is capable of.”

Moab, Utah, artist Charles Bruce’s “Chuska Puma” is on display at the Colorado Welcome Center in Cortez. He admires the creativity and skill of many artists in the project. “I had to admit that at least a half dozen or more of the pumas totally overshadowed mine in concept and execution, but I was still pleased that I executed my simple plan.”

Graphic designer and painter Mike McPherson, whose “Oaxacan Dreaming” sculpture has been purchased for permanent display at the Durango-La Plata County Airport, also has gained a hefty respect for the diversity and integrity for the artists of the Four Corners. “Each artist, no matter where they were professionally, gave their puma their best effort,” he says.

Miki Harder, from Durango, whose “Sky Raven Puma” is on view at the Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores, sums up the project with gentle reverence. “The puma statue brought me a more intimate knowledge and awareness of the animal and what else is important in life than to educate, expand our awareness and develop a deeper appreciation for the world around us.”

The puma sculpture locations can be obtained at www.sjma.org where an on-line auction of the sculptures is also being conducted through Sept. 9. Puma maps are available at all puma locations.