Organized by Tif Choate, artist *** PLEASE READ, I'm an artist, not a writer; humor me ***

About this Project: Lafayette, Colorado. 80026 It's a place to belong. Some of the things that makes this particular city stand out: it's funky, eclectic style, it's reputation for great art, music and food; and it's love for beauty in nature. We all work to preserve and celebrate what makes Lafayette so special.

My name is Tif Choate. I'm a local artist & public art muralist, here in Boulder County. I am a small business owner of my company, Snail Candy Arts. I'm also a wife of 32 years to my creative husband, Jim, and mom of two great adult sons. I love Lafayette to my core. This community embraces and supports all arts; it recognizes and gives platform to it's multi-faceted cultures. Lafayette is a place that makes room for neurodiversity, nature and neighbors to thrive. What I bring to the table is joy through art. My funky, colorful and whimsical murals can be found all around town as well as up and down the Front Range.

I am in the process of painting my latest art, a 4-side wildlife mural at Waneka Lake Park.

This mural, 'Waneka Lake Treasures' is meant to be a joyful celebration of a beautiful natural lake park that teems with life, all manner of life, a beacon of the rich biodiversity of a loved Colorado waterbody, Waneka Lake - over 30 species will be represented!

This huge project is self-funded, and so I have this page to ask for your help.

>>> The mural is located at 1600 Caria Dr, Lafayette, CO 80026 on the Pump House, just east of the Boathouse. <<<

The total budget for this project is $15,995. Will you take help us reach this goal?

See details at the BOTTOM for our INCENTIVE LEVELS to get great gifts, experiences and recognition just for supporting this mission.

Here's what you could receive for your donation:

Top-tier level Sponsorship recognition throughout all social media and press releases and at the mural’s unveiling celebration.
Your business name will be added into the mural as one of our treasured sponsors.
Join the artist for an exclusive 1-Day invite to paint on the mural with guidance
Signed Limited Edition art print by Tif Choate. A watercolor painting of "Waneka Lake Blue" Great Blue Heron.
Exclusive commemorative T-shirt.
Invitation to our After Party. You are an art champion!

I'm really excited that it will serve as an educational piece for all, with the names of the species (in English and Spanish) all on the mural, to learn about many of the species that share this park and lake with us. Some of the species represented in the walls:

Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Hooded Mergansers, Swainson's Hawk, Osprey, Pelican, Canada Geese, Red-winged Blackbird, American Bullfrog, Soft-shelled Turtle, Snapping Turtles, Crayfish, Planorbid Snails ,Catfish, Blue gills, Brook Trout, Bass fish, Insects, butterflies, dragonfly, local aquatic plant and wildflower species, Various People - kids and adults - walking biking and strolling with dogs, more.....

The top half of all sides will represent the above water life, including birds, insects, plants, people, and the beautiful Colorado blue sky. The bottom half is the underwater level, painted all around approximately 8' tall, this will be filled will all manner of aquatic species both flora and fauna and even some thing we may imagine in this world humans can only explore with adaptive apparatuses. Now that's a cool perspective!

I began painting a large mural September 17, 2024. When the piece is complete, I will have painted a continuous artwork on all four sides of the pump house building at Waneka Lake Park.

Here is a 3-D model of the design:

Here's some progress photos:

FISH!

North-West side with Tif Choate, painter

East side progress: just added the boathouse and sketched some underwater activity... 10/2024

North-East side progress with Tif 03/2025

This project has an enthusiastic thumbs up from many of Lafayette's City Departments:

Public Art Committee - with a Public art grant in 2024.
Open Space Department - we will share intersecting programming with this new free resource,
Parks and Recreation Department - There will be great crossover information with this art and a newly planned exercise course signage (ask about this), and even the
Public Works Department is thrilled - they own the pump-house and are excited to have such an exciting utility building!

Why are we doing it?

The critical environmental challenges the wildlife confronts as our human populations expand and grow remain largely unnoticed and unheard.
Nestled in the heart of Lafayette, these wellsprings of life are jewels of natural beauty we are privileged to share space with.
We aim to bring these stories to the forefront, fostering a deeper connection between the community and its natural surroundings and awareness of our fur and feathered neighbors.

Our Vision: A Canvas of Connection and Conservation

Each side of the pump house will be adorned with intricate artwork showcasing both the rich underwater life and surrounding habitat of Waneka Lake and neighboring Greenlee Wildlife Preserve, in a continuous loop.
It will draw compelling parallels between the physiology of animals, humans and the entire ecosystem.
This will be a unique perspective that highlights our shared existence
Will bring awareness to the importance of maintaining the balance between human systems and Earth's living systems - local and global.

The Impact: Beyond Art

This will serve as a free educational tool, a conversation starter, and a call to action.
We envision school groups and community members gathering here, learning about the significance of each species depicted
Artwork helps to highlight the beautiful, yet fragile of wildlife habitats, and leaving with a renewed commitment to environmental stewardship.

To actually bring this full vision to life, we need you. Individuals, businesses, and organizations who share our passion for art, education, and the environment make the difference in communities.

Your support covers:

Helps cover the costs of materials: paints, brushes, plastic tarps, containers, tape, etc.

Pays the artist, including commission and labor
Contributes to campaign expenses
Assists with future maintenance costs
Supports educational programming associated with the mural

Welcome to the team! I know you'll love this mural. Now let's get started. This partnership will ensure the mural’s success and lasting impact.

By supporting the 'Waneka Lake Treasures' Mural Project, you become a part of a movement that values nature, nurtures community, and believes in the power of art to inspire change. Together, we can create a lasting legacy that educates and motivates current and future generations to cherish and protect our local environment.

To learn more about how you can contribute or get involved, please contact us directly at tif@snailcandy.com

Let's unite to paint a brighter future for Waneka Lake Park and our community. Thank you so much for your consideration. We would be thrilled to have you on board.

With heartfelt thanks,

Tif Choate and the Team @ Snail Candy Arts, Lafayette, CO

CURRENT UPDATES: @Snail.Candy.Arts Instagram See our website SnailCandy.com

Incentives: Levels of Sponsorship

Great Blue Heron LEVEL: $5,000 >

Top-tier level Sponsorship recognition throughout all social media and press releases and at the mural’s unveiling celebration.
Your business name will be added into the mural as one of our treasured sponsors.
Signed print of the artwork +exclusive commemorative T-shirt.
Invitation to our After Party

Kingfisher LEVEL: $3,500

Sponsorship recognition throughout all social media and press releases and at the mural’s unveiling celebration.
Your name will be added to this mural or supporting mural [TBA] as a treasured sponsor.
Signed print of the artwork
exclusive commemorative T-shirt.
Invitation to our After Party

Rainbow Trout LEVEL: $2,000

You will be mentioned in our press releases as a sponsor and at the mural’s unveiling celebration.
an exclusive commemorative T-shirt
signed, limited edition print
An invitation to our After Party.

Soft-Shelled Turtle LEVEL: $1,000

Receive a commemorative Tshirt
signed, limited-edition print
An invitation to our After Party.

Canada Goose LEVEL: $500

Join the artist for an exclusive 1-Day invite to paint on the mural with guidance
an exclusive commemorative T-shirt
signed, limited edition print

Red-Winged Blackbird LEVEL: $150

Signed print of the artwork
exclusive commemorative T-shirt. Thanks

Pelican LEVEL $100

Signed print of the artwork

American Bullfrog LEVEL Donor any.

High Five! Thank you for your donation! You are an art champion.

*In Progress* I've just started back this week. As the weather warms I'll be out working on the mural!!

By Snail Candy Arts / Tif Choate, artist

*In Progress* I've just started back this week. As the weather warms I'll be out working on the mural!!

360 ˚ Wildlife mural at Waneka Lake Park & Greenlee Preserve : This giant & immersive mural, all around the pump house has begun!!

In Progress I've just started back this week. As the weather warms I'll be out working on the mural!!

In Progress I've just started back this week. As the weather warms I'll be out working on the mural!!