$365 raised by 3 donors
2% complete
$15,000 Goal
Willowtail Springs Nature Preserve and Education Center supports Residencies in the Arts and Natural Sciences on 60 acres of sweeping meadows, ancient forests of Pinon and Juniper, private lake, streams and lush gardens. The relationship between the stunning physical landscape together with the public programming provided by both the Artist/Scientist Residents and the Willowtail Staff provide a unique resource for the rural local community, the Four Corners of SW Colorado and beyond to the rest of the country.
"As I did my warm up practice each morning, I started to notice the various birds who were singing near my bungalow. The birdsong was different than I usually hear at home so I started imitating the sounds on my flute. I would play some notes and the birds would sing back. Just for fun, I started to transcribe an approximation of the bird calls in musical notation. When I went for walks, I collected more sounds and compiled them in a notebook. Then a vision of a solo flute came to me - the seeds of a new project were planted and several weeks later I completed a composition - "Daybreak Discourse." I performed the piece on our spring tour and audiences loved it." Rochelle Mann, Professor Emerita, Fort Lewis College, Willowtail Springs Resident
"Much of my life experience and writing have been intimately connected to specific places in the natural world. Willowtail's entire environment -- my encounters with deer and waterfowl and ancient trees -- connected me to the land in a way that proved especially productive." Michael Thompson, Poet and Artist, Willowtail Springs Resident
"Really, I didn't realize how much I needed this residency until I was in the middle of it. This was the first artist residency I had ever taken. The self-care and focus on my art will surely help to free up a bit more of my confidence as an artist. " Tina Deschenie, Poet and Artist, Willowtail Springs Resident
"As a lifelong love of Nature, trained forester/entomologist, avid birder and devotee of the Arts, I see Willowtail Springs as important in myriad ways. The structures and plantings exist in harmony with, and in some cases, enhance, the native landscape. Perhaps its strongest asset in this age of human disconnection from "wildness" and over-obsession with technology, is its celebratoin of two things: our proper oneness with the environment and the resultant creativity that that reunion ignites. David Leatherman, CO State Entomologist
To enrich our local and national communities by building a network of creative practitioners in the arts, education and ecology through experiences within our magical nature preserve.
Willowtail Springs Nature Preserve and Education Center has supported residencies in the Arts and Natural Sciences and Community Programming since 2012. Our founder and Executive Director, Peggy Cloy, is a nationally renowned artist whose vision continues to inspire. Her husband, Lee Cloy, Property Manager, is the steward of the vast resources of the property.
Willowtail Springs has an active and engaged Board of Directors who are unwavering in their dedication to the Mission of our organization and in ensuring its sustainability.
Willowtail's focus for 2025 is funding four weeks of residencies in partnership with the Canyon of the Ancients National Monument. In addition, we seek increased funding to support our own Willowtail artist residencies which fill every year due to the unique and invaluable nature of the experience we provide.
Lastly, donations support the stewardship of our incredible property including the newly installed Willowtail Springs Sculpture Garden.
We invite you to visit and experience the magic of Willowtail for yourself. Spend time in one of our luxury cabins overlooking our private lake. Cabin rentals provide a partial income stream for our general fund. We continue to apply for local and federal grants to support our artist residencies and programming. But it is our Donors and Members who provide the key to sustaining Willowtail Springs and the unparalleled opportunities we offer to our SW Colorado Community and beyond.
Organization name
Willowtail Springs
other names
Willowtail
2012
Tax id (EIN)
45-4482956
Category
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Organization Size
Small Organization
Address
10451 County Road 39Mailing
PO Box 89 10451 RD 39Montezuma County, CO, US