A New Welcome to Durango: Three Springs Mural Takes Shape

If you’re driving into Durango from Highways 550 or 160, you’re about to be greeted by something new, something bold, beautiful, and deeply rooted in the region’s history.

We’re thrilled to announce the installation of a large-scale mural at the entrance of Three Springs, which will serve as the first major piece of public art welcoming residents and visitors alike to our vibrant community. This mural is more than a colorful wall, it's a visual narrative that honors the tools and traditions of the region's past while celebrating creativity and collaboration in the present.

Scroll through the mural mock-up below:

Led by renowned muralists Parker Ledford and Chelsie Begoody, the design incorporates representations of tools historically used throughout the Four Corners region. These elements are rendered with respect and curiosity, encouraging all of us to reflect on the hands, histories, and cultures that shaped the land we live on.

Related Article: Celebrating the Santa Rita Water Reclamation Facility Mural Project: A Collaborative Journey of Art and Community

Adding even more heart to the project, Parker and Chelsie will be joined by two high school apprentices from Ignacio, NM. These students will play an active role in the mural’s creation, learning how mural installations are designed, prepped, and painted. For them, it's not just an art lesson, it’s a hands-on experience in storytelling and placemaking.

This mural is a gateway and a gesture, welcoming all who enter Durango with a message: you’re entering a community that honors its past, invests in its youth, and believes in the power of art to connect us all.

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Meet the Muralists:

Muralist Chelsie Begoody

Chelsie Begoody

Chelsie Begoody is a Diné (Navajo) artist and community advocate based in Durango, Colorado. Born and raised in Northern Arizona, Chelsie’s creative practice blends visual storytelling with cultural preservation, drawing inspiration from the landscapes, traditions, and values of her heritage.

In 2024, Chelsie was one of nine artists selected to collaborate on the "Droplets" mural at the Santa Rita Water Reclamation Facility. This 1,500-square-foot public artwork, unveiled during Animas River Days, features a series of water droplets symbolizing the Animas River and the region’s seasonal cycles. Each droplet reflects the unique style of its contributing artist, and Chelsie’s work helped shape the mural’s collective vision of environmental awareness and community resilience.

Chelsie is also the author of Hozho Meals: A Resource to Promote Indigenous Flavors, a guide that celebrates traditional Navajo cuisine. In 2022, she led a cultural cooking demonstration at Park Elementary School in Durango, teaching students how to make blue corn mush and sharing the significance of Indigenous ingredients in Navajo culture.

Through her art and storytelling, Chelsie fosters deeper community connection and honors Indigenous knowledge, using creative expression as a bridge between culture, land, and identity.

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Muralist Parker Ledford

Parker Ledford

Parker Ledford is a Durango, Colorado-based muralist and visual artist known for his vibrant public artworks that celebrate local heritage, wildlife, and community identity. Raised in Durango, Ledford brings a deep sense of place and storytelling to his large-scale murals, often blending natural symbolism with cultural themes.

One of his most recognized works is the howling wolf mural on the North Main Laundry building, created in 2020 as part of the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project’s “Restore the Howl” initiative. The mural incorporates elements of the Colorado flag and Southwest Native American patterns to highlight the ecological and cultural significance of wolves in the region. 

In 2024, Ledford collaborated with eight other artists on the “Droplets” mural at the Santa Rita Water Reclamation Facility. This 1,500-square-foot piece features a series of water droplets, each reflecting the unique style of its contributing artist, symbolizing the Animas River and the region’s seasonal cycles. 

Later that year, Ledford completed a mural on the north side of the American Legion Post 28 in Durango, honoring local veterans, including Navajo Nation code talkers and U.S. Navy Blue Angel Jeff Kuss. The mural serves as a tribute to the city's military history and community heroes.

Through his art, Ledford fosters community engagement and dialogue, using visual storytelling to connect people with their environment and heritage. His work continues to enrich Durango's public spaces, reflecting the city's diverse narratives and natural beauty.