Last phase of Legacy Plaza unveiled this weekend
By Robert Stevens
Managing editor
Sept. 21, 2017
GUNNISON—The long-awaited unveiling of the Gunnison Valley Legacy Wall happens this weekend.
The unveiling will kick off with the Chalk it Up! festival at 10 a.m. The actual unveiling ceremony begins at 5 p.m. with a short program and dedication by President Greg Rosenvall of the Gunnison LDS Stake.
“After the curtain drops, everyone will finally see what all the fuss is about,” says Lori Nay of the Legacy Wall Committee.
According to Nay, the Legacy Wall mural is a whimsical design of glazed porcelain tiles featuring iconic images of Gunnison Valley that celebrate its residents and highlight the importance of agriculture, wildlife, education and family values, past and present.
Artists Victoria Lyons and Michael Moonbird of Moonlyon Arts created the designs, and the historic portraits of people and places, honoring local history.
“The wall will be a gathering place and a place to understand our history and forge our future,” Nay says.
At 5:30 p.m., the Original Blue Healers, a group from Salt Lake City that includes strings, brass and percussion, will play until 8 p.m.
According to Nay, “There will be plenty of tables, chairs, good food and friends to welcome and keep you for the whole evening.”
The Legacy Wall is a multi-year project that was conceived in 2010 but didn’t take flight until Gov. Gary Herbert’s Arts and Culture Business Alliance granted $23,000 to the project.
Shortly after, the George S. and Dolores Dore’ Eccles Foundation contributed $25,000.
Nay says the Legacy Wall Committee and the Casino Star Theatre Foundation want to thank the many partners who are making the Legacy Wall dream a reality, such as the Utah Department of Arts and Museums, Gunnison City, the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area, and businesses and individuals from our community.
Nay says the committee is hoping to raise the final $5,500 during unveiling activities by sponsoring a raffle offering a scooter, a gazebo, and a $100 gift certificate to South Sanpete Pack.
Also, Nay says, individual donations are welcome and any donors giving $1,000 or more will have their name engraved on a plaque at the wall.
According to Nay, the Legacy Wall and its accompanying clock tower reflect the community’s courageous response to the Top Stop environmental catastrophe of 2007, which created what could have been a vacant property in the center of town.
“Its transformation from an abandoned gas station surrounded by dust and weeds to a public plaza is nothing short of a miracle and a testament to the spirit, vision and toughness of the people of this community,” she says.
Contact lorinay@gmail.com for more information.
