Local youth brings art to Gila National Forest

Category: Community News Community News
Published: 28 August 2023 28 August 2023

Grant County Youth Mural program creates tile mural art at Aldo Leopold Vista and C.P. Anderson Overlook


MIMBRES, NM, August 28, 2023 –Grant County New Mexico’s Youth Mural program is creating and installing tile murals at two sites on the Gila National Forest to honor the 100th anniversary of the Gila Wilderness, which occurs next year. Last month, local youth participating in mural camp began designing, creating, and installing tile tabletops for five picnic tables at Leopold Vista Overlook.

“This project aims to celebrate wilderness at its birthplace, while helping local youth build appreciation for and connection to the Gila Wilderness in their back yard,” said Wilderness District Ranger Henry Provencio. “Engaging young people from diverse backgrounds teaches that wilderness is for everyone and ensures a future where wilderness is valued and protected for the next 100 years.”

In creating their murals, the group learned about what makes wilderness a Wilderness, using their understanding of the five tenets of wilderness to determine the designs. So, what does make a wilderness, a Wilderness? Designated Wilderness areas must be untrammeled, or free from modern human control and manipulation. These places are undeveloped, free of modern permanent improvements or human occupation, and where motorized or mechanized transport is not permissible. Wilderness areas are natural, and they preserve unique features of scientific, educational, scenic, or historic value, and they provide outstanding opportunities for experiencing solitude, exploration, and personal challenge.

Check out photos and track the murals’ progress at  https://www.facebook.com/youthmurals.org . Or head out to Leopold Vista Overlook off of New Mexico Highway 180, near Glenwood to check out the new tiled tabletops in person. Photos of the completed tabletops are also available on the Gila National Forest Flickr page at Leopold Vista | Flickr. Tile murals are coming soon to C.P. Anderson Overlook! New Mexico Outdoor Equity, Rainbow Lizards Gatherings, and the Southwestern Region of the Forest Service contributed funds to make these mural projects possible. For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 or Maribeth.Pecotte@usda.gov .

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