Summer Solstice Window Viewing & Sunrise Cyanotypes
Schedule
Sun Jun 21 2026 at 05:45 am to 10:30 am
UTC-06:00Location
1000 Rim Dr, Durango, CO, United States, Colorado 81301 | Durango, CO
Advertisement
Location: CSWS Gallery & CourtyardFree and open to all!
Baked goods provided by @sweet_n_cakey25
π ΏοΈ Parking on campus is FREE during the summer months (May to August)
βοΈ(π:ππ-π:ππ ππ) Join us in our annual celebration of the summer solstice on Sunday, June 21. At the dawn of the solstice, a spiral of sunlight from the Center's solstice window makes its way across the gallery walls. Arrive early to ensure you don't miss the impressive display.
π(π:ππ-ππ:ππ ππ) As the sun reaches the building, you are invited to join us in creating a cyanotype print in the Centerβs courtyard! All supplies will be provided, but bringing personal knickknacks and small objects is encouraged.
The solstice window is situated in the upper northeast corner of the Center's exhibition gallery. Created by Denver artist Scott Parsons through Coloradoβs Art in Public Places Program, the window was designed to integrate with the buildingβs architecture as a tribute to the solstice markers of the Ancestral Puebloans of Southwest Colorado. The spiral cast by the solstice window is visible for several weeks before and after the summer solstice but is sharpest on solstice morning. Moving with the rotation of the Earth, the spiral makes its journey across the gallery wall, fading as the sun rises higher in the sky.
The spiral is a significant symbol in the solstice markers of the Ancestral Puebloans of Southwest Colorado, reflecting their deep understanding of astronomy and their connection to the natural world. During the solstices and equinoxes, sunlight would interact with the spirals in specific ways, indicating the time of year. The Ancestral Puebloans relied on these markers to determine the best times for planting and harvesting crops, as well as for scheduling important communal and religious activities. Spirals are thought to represent various concepts in Puebloan culture, including the journey of life, cycles of time, and the interconnectedness of all things. The alignment of these markers with celestial events reflects a spiritual connection to the cosmos. For the Ancestral Puebloans, the sun and its cycles were integral to their spiritual beliefs and practices, symbolizing renewal and the balance between earth and sky, among other things.
Advertisement
Where is it happening?
1000 Rim Dr, Durango, CO, United States, Colorado 81301Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know whatβs Happening Next β before everyone else does.
