Enjoy the wonders and experience the magic of Mesa Verde National Park through the eyes of renowned American artists! Bring home the beauty of the park from the Rims to Ruins Fine Art Sale and Reception next week in Denver. Twenty-six top American Western artists who painted among the ancient sites and dramatic landscape of Mesa Verde National Park in May will showcase their paintings and offer them for sale at the Vida Ellison Gallery at the Denver Public Library October 22, 2013.
Patrons can view and purchase the important regional paintings that capture the grandeur of the park during a special Opening Reception and Sale on October 22 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The art will remain on display and for sale October 21 through November 3 at the library's Vida Ellison Gallery.
These master artists painted inside the park to capture the spirit and history of this World Heritage Site. Their paintings were created with oils, acrylics, pastels and watercolors. They finished their paintings in formal studios to create these fine works of art. At the Opening Reception and Sale, you'll have the rare opportunity to meet many of the artists.
Please join us for this incredible exhibition and sale at our special reception with wine and hors d'oeuvres. The event, sponsored by Mesa Verde Foundation, benefits Mesa Verde National Park. The Opening Reception and Sale cost is $75 per person. Please register early for the event.
To register or to learn more, visit www.mesaverdefoundation.org, call 303-321-3120 or e-mail info@mesaverdefoundation.org
Government Shutdown Continues to Impact MVMA
On October 1, 2013, due to the government shutdown, Mesa Verde National Park and all of the nation's 401 national parks were closed. Recently several state and regional entities and private
philanthropists have come forward to temporarily fund operations so that certain national parks and monuments could reopen. To date there is no indication that Mesa Verde National Park will reopen though until the government shutdown ends.
The Mesa Verde Museum Association staff is not allowed access to our in-park stores, offices, or inventory warehouse, since all are located in federal buildings affected by the shutdown. After 15 days, MVMA’s retail income losses have topped $75,000. We have kept a skeleton crew employed to operate our Colorado Welcome Center bookstore in Cortez and to perform essential accounting operations. We are continuing to process mail/internet store orders and to receive your membership renewals—which LITERALLY are helping us keep our doors open. Thank you for your support!
We are heartened to learn that furloughed federal employees will eventually be paid for the time they have been unable to report for work, and we feel for them and their families as they scramble to make ends meet without a regular paycheck. Our own laid-off staff won’t be so lucky; since MVMA generates its own income to fulfill our mission, our losses are unrecoverable.
What can you do to help?
• Contact your representatives in Congress to express your opinion about the closure of our national parks.
• Attend the Mesa Verde Foundation’s special Rims to Ruins fundraising reception and art sale on October 22, 2013 in Denver—see the companion article for details.
• Shop at MVMA’s Colorado Welcome Center store located at 928 East Main Street in Cortez, CO; it’s open daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and MVA members receive a 20% discount.
• Keep sending in your tax-deductible membership renewals and donations. Visit www.mesaverde.org/membership or www.mesaverdefoundation.org for more information. Thanks too for your patience, as it’s taking us a little more time than usual to acknowledge those gifts due to our reduced staffing.
• We will continue to fulfill mail orders and orders from our webstore at www.mesaverde.org as our inventory and staffing allow.
Despite the many challenges the government shutdown has created, the private nonprofits Mesa Verde Museum Association (MVMA) and Mesa Verde Foundation (MVF) will continue to operate and are committed to fulfilling our missions to be the innovative educational and funding partners that inspire life-long stewardship of Mesa Verde National Park’s cultural and natural heritage.
You may leave messages for MVMA at 800-305-6053 or 970-529-4445, or e-mail us at info@mesaverde.org. You may contact MVF at 303-321-3120 or at info@mesaverdefoundation.org
Thank you for supporting America’s public lands during this challenging time.
Free 2013 Four Corners Lecture Series Continues
The free Four Corners Lecture Series wraps up in October and November with these fine programs:
When: October 17, 6:00 p.m., Room #120, Center of Southwest Studies, Fort Lewis College
Who: Kelly Jenks & Chuck Riggs
What: Defining a Site: Compliance and Community Archaeology in Durango
When: October 24, 7:00 p.m., Room #130, Noble Hall, Fort Lewis College
Who: Frank Matero
What: Making Sites: Early Preservation at Mesa Verde and the Four Corners
When: November 7, 7:00 p.m., Room #120, Center of Southwest Studies, Fort Lewis College
Who: Esther Belin & Dr. Majel Boxer
What: Fort Lewis Indian School: Re-Counting the History, Re-Storing the Mission
This lecture series is sponsored by the Mesa Verde Museum Association and Mesa Verde National Park, as well as by Fort Lewis College's Office of the President and Department of Anthropology,
Anasazi Heritage Center, Bureau of Land Management, Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, and the Hisatsinom Chapter of the Colorado Archaeological Society. Additional support is provided by
ARAMARK/Mesa Verde Company and KSJD Dryland Community Radio.
Product Feature: Mesa Verde Mugs
As the temperatures drop and the leaves turn a riot of color, there is no better time to curl up with a hot cup of tea or cocoa! MVMA has a wide selection of mugs to suit your needs! Take your pick from a variety of sizes and designs - from the iconic Cliff Palace art commissioned for Mesa Verde's 100th birthday and the Mesa Verde National Park logo to black on white pottery mug replicas. All of our mugs are custom produced specifically for MVMA and many are hand crafted by local artists. Click here to view our mug selection.
As always, members receive a 20% discount on online and in-store purchases. Online purchases require a coupon code to redeem discount. Have you misplaced your member discount coupon code? Just email us at info@mesaverde.org and we will send it to you.
Not a member yet? It’s easy to join! Just click here or call us at 1-800-305-6053 or 970-529-4445 for assistance.
