Dairy Arts Center

Fire and Water: The Struggle of Tonanzin Colorado

Created by artist David “Ocelotl” Garcia, this mural measuring roughly 18′ x 40′ in size, depicts Garcia’s vision of Mother Earth and her struggle against humanity’s use of her resources.

The artist states, “This mural depicts Mother Earth (Tonanzin) and her struggle with humanity’s unbalanced use of her natural resources, and our growing carbon footprint resulting in the effects of global warming. Fire and water, symbols of balance and strength, have profoundly affected the ecosystems of Boulder and Colorado with physical and psychological displacement and loss. The Struggle of Tonanzin Colorado documents Boulder’s pressing environmental realities; but through resilience, integration, and healing it inspires a Pan American spirit that reconciles people and places for a sustainable future.”

Colorado-based artist David Ocelotl Garcia (b. 1977, Denver, CO USA) is accomplished across several mediums including painting, sculpture, and murals. His work can be seen in public art commissions, and both museum and private collections.

David discovered his natural ability and passion for fine art at the age of eleven. His early work consisted of life drawing and water-based sculpture, which he created at the Art Students League of Denver. By the age of eighteen David was assisting professional muralists and monumental bronze sculptors. Now, his own work ranges from large-scale interior and exterior murals, painted directly on existing surfaces, panels, cloth and canvas as well as mosaic and sculpture. Through self-meditation and creative exploration David has developed his own technique and philosophy on painting and sculpture coined “Abstract Imaginism.” Abstract Imaginism is a style of art that combines the spontaneity and unpredictability of abstraction with the creativity and perception of his imagination. David is most influenced by the movement of atomic energy and its effect on all living things. It is through art that David hopes to manifest beauty, inspiration, color and energy.

Presented by: 

The Americas Latino EcoFestival 2014 and The Dairy Center for the Arts

With the support of Marcos Foods & The City of Boulder ; philanthropist Adrianne Abarca of Abarca Family Fund and co-owner of Marco Foods ; philanthropist Brad Armstrong of the Bamboo Fund

Special thanks to Sunbelt Rentals for their generous support of scaffolding

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MARCH 2020

As of today, 3/12/2020, The Dairy Arts Center remains open and operational. Should scheduling changes occur, ticket holders will be directly notified by The Dairy Arts Center.

If you have a question about an event please contact the presenting arts organization. For films, Dairy Presents and all other questions contact the Box Office at 303.440.7826