ESTES PARK MEMORIAL OBSERVATORY

 

 

There is a new addition to the local art scene, thanks to artist, Kris Eitzen who has painted a mural in the lobby of the Estes Park Memorial Observatory.  The mural is a huge wall painting (16ft x 9ft) depicting a Native American folk lore story of how the stars were created.  It tells how the Rocky Mountain Coyote placed the stars in the heavens using his bow and arrow to position them in patterns portraying the Coyote’s animal friends.  There is an accompanying storyboard telling the Coyote story next to the mural.

Kris is a long time friend of Michele Johnson whose family was instrumental in building the observatory.   Kris donated the painting as a gift to Michele and her family.   Kris has a keen interest in Native American history and their art.  Her painting style mimics the Plains Indian art style of the mid 1800,s.  Recently Kris’ work has been featured in the Southwest Art magazine and can be seen in galleries in Wyoming, Colorado and Arizona.

The observatory and mural will be available for viewing free to the public on Open House nights on the third Saturday of the month ( October 17, November 21 and December 19, 2009).  Also, the observatory can be reserved for private functions by going to the calendar page .

 

“Coyote Places the Stars”

is a Native American legend about the origins of the constellations. 

Coyote lived and played in the meadows below the beautiful Rocky Mountains many, many moons ago.  He loved laying under the night sky counting all of the stars. 

One clear summer night, Coyote decided to climb up into the sky to see the stars up close. 

He was very skilled with the bow and arrow, so he decided to shoot the moon with his arrow to create a ladder ascending to earth.  He shot arrow after arrow into the sky, putting one arrow into the end of the last until his ladder was done. 

Coyote started on his long journey up the ladder.  It took him many days of climbing until he finally reached the moon. 

He was so tired after his long journey that he sat down to rest. The stars were so beautiful!  He decided that he wanted to see if he could move the stars by shooting them with his arrow.  To his delight he could!!  

He became so excited because he could make pictures in the sky for all of his friends to see.  First, he created the coyote, then he moved on to his other animal friends.  Bear came next then Mountain Lion, Horse, Owl, fish, goat, and Eagle.  With the stars that he had left, he created a Big Road across the sky.  After he finished his beautiful work of art and the sun began to rise, he climbed back down to earth. 

The next evening, Coyote waited for the dark to arrive so he could see his masterpiece.  As the sky began to unveil all of the starry animals, Coyote howled with joy. “hawhoooooooo!” 

All of Coyote’s friends could hear his joy, so they came running to see what it was all about.  Coyote exclaimed to them all, “friends, I decided to move the stars in the sky with my bow and arrow to make beautiful pictures of all of you. Look up and see what I have done!  Now, when anyone looks up to the skies they will always remember us.” All the animal friends began to sound their approval of coyote ! 

The animals had a great feast to celebrate the cleverness of their friend, Coyote. 

Even today, if you listen closely as the moon rises and the stars emerge, you can hear Coyote celebrating his work of art.

 

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By
The Angels Above Foundation