After nearly two years in the making, a vibrant new mural now stretches across the side of the Clifton Library — a final flourish for one of Mesa County’s newest community spaces.

On April 5, community members, library staff, and health advocates gathered for the official unveiling of the mural, which merges Grand Valley landscapes with a powerful message about mental well-being. The project, commissioned by the Colorado Area Health Education Center and brought to life by local artist Jeremy Velasquez, was designed not just to beautify the space — but to heal.

Nature as therapy, art as connection

Stand in front of the mural and you’re struck by the color first. Then the detail. Then, maybe, a feeling you can’t quite name — something both calming and energizing.

“It depicts different outdoor scenes,” explained Michelle Boisvenue-Fox, Executive Director of Mesa County Libraries. “From the river and playing in the river, to mountain biking, to our local agriculture here in Clifton. It’s all about being outside with people, family, and nature — all of those things are reflected.”

It’s more than a scenic homage to the Grand Valley.

There’s intention in every brushstroke.

“We really wanted to highlight mental health and the ways to kind of serve your mental health,” said Velasquez. “And we believe that vitamin D — just getting out and doing stuff with each other — is one of the best ways to do that.”

A mural with a mission

Unlike some public murals that spring up overnight with little context, this one had a very specific purpose.

It was born during the isolating depths of the COVID-19 pandemic, when community health experts started rethinking what public spaces could mean in a post-lockdown world.

The Colorado Area Health Education Center (AHEC), which focuses on building stronger health outcomes through education and outreach, saw an opportunity: Commission a mural that not only brings joy to a neighborhood, but also quietly advocates for mental health awareness.

That vision resonated with the library.

“The library, really, is upstream support for mental health,” said Boisvenue-Fox. “From reading and learning, to the programs we offer that connect people with similar interests, to volunteer opportunities — everything here contributes to someone’s well-being.”

Color, culture, community

Velasquez, who has worked on murals across Colorado, took a deeply collaborative approach to the design. He spent weeks speaking with Clifton residents, library staff, and youth groups to understand what images felt authentic to the area.

“People wanted something that felt like home,” he said. “So we brought in those really familiar sights — like the Grand Mesa in the distance, families walking by orchards, and kids playing by the river. I didn’t want it to feel like a postcard. I wanted it to feel lived-in.”

The mural also leans into symbolism. Sunflowers, often associated with hope and resilience, dot the edges. A pair of hikers look over the valley — a subtle nod to perspective and progress.

The response has been instant.

“You can’t walk by it without stopping,” said a Clifton resident, pausing with her child outside the library. “My son pointed at the bike trail and said, ‘That’s us!’ That kind of connection? You don’t get that from just paint.”

A long journey to completion

While the Clifton Library opened its doors back in August 2023, this mural has been a lingering to-do — delayed by supply chain issues, scheduling conflicts, and the sheer logistics of large-scale art.

Now that it’s finished, it feels like a final chapter.

“It’s kind of one of the last elements, one of the finishing touches that we’re doing for the Clifton Library,” Boisvenue-Fox said. “This is just one of those pieces that we were able to finally add — and it completes the vision.”

For Velasquez, who spent long hours under the spring sun climbing scaffolds and fine-tuning details, it’s more than just another job.

“This mural was about healing,” he said. “For the community, for the library, and honestly — even for me.”

Libraries: More than books

The mural’s focus on mental wellness dovetails with a broader national conversation about the evolving role of libraries.

Gone are the days when libraries were just about quiet reading rooms and overdue fines. Increasingly, they’re seen as hubs of community health, safe connection, and inclusive support.

In Clifton — where economic and healthcare disparities are real — the library serves as a kind of equalizer. Free access to books, internet, programs, and now: art with a message.

“We talk about mental health as though it’s separate,” said Boisvenue-Fox. “But it’s not. It’s part of everything we do. And if this mural helps even one person feel seen or supported — then we’ve done something really important.”

What’s next?

With the mural complete, Mesa County Libraries plans to incorporate it into future programming — from mental health awareness events to art workshops for kids.

Velasquez hinted he may host a guided tour of the mural later this spring, where he’ll walk visitors through each scene and share its deeper meaning.

But for now, the library is letting the artwork speak for itself.

And if you happen to be walking down D ½ Road near the Clifton Library, take a moment. Look up. Take it in.

The mountains. The river. The sun. The people.

It’s all there — in color.