The Center of Southwest Studies' Summer Solstice Marker as shown on the solstice in 2007. |
The Center of Southwest Studies at Fort Lewis College celebrates the Summer Solstice on Sunday, June 21, 2009, from 5:45am until 8:00am. At the dawn of the summer solstice, a spiral of summer sunlight makes its way across the gallery walls making for a dazzling display. In our annual celebration of summer, the Center of Southwest Studies will provide a light breakfast with entertainment by Catch N Eagle Dancers from the Ute Mountain Ute tribe in Towaoc. This event is free of charge and is open to the public.
Situated in the upper northeast corner of the exhibit gallery, the Solstice Window is recessed into the wall. Created by Denver artist Scott Parsons, as a part of Colorado’s Art in Public Places Program, the window was designed to be integrated with the building’s architecture.
Parsons designed the window in 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 motion of the earth and sun, the spiral makes its journey across the gallery wall, fading as the sun rises higher in the sky. The drumming and dancing of the Catch N Eagle Dancers, is sure to make this a memorable event.
The Center of Southwest Studies is located at the north end of the Fort Lewis College campus. The Center’s physical address is 1000 Rim Drive, Durango CO 81301. Please call 970-247-7456 or visit the Center website for more information. |