Whittier Alley Loop Project Info

The Whittier Alley Loop
Project Creation and Leadership
Project Team
Darrell Watson- President of the WNA
Brian Choquette- Lead designer, planner and coordinator
Levi Johnson- grant writing and research
Kent Simpson- Vice President of the WNA
Feile Case- designer
Benjamin Chenard- history research
Paul Goss- lead designer
Anne Kemmerling- history research
Sir Martin- Project Voyce Site coordinator- Manual H.S.
Broox Pulford- designer
Allison Rankin- community outreach
Ryan Sand- lead designer
Eric Sherman- designer
Mark Ungar- designer, community coordinator
Project Artists
“Diversity" Mural- Jaime Molina, Pedro Barrios and
Project Voyce students at Manual H.S.
”Reader” Sculpture- Bob Ragland
"Bee Bridge" Murals- Feile Case
"Be Kind" Mural- Dwayne Glapion
History and Quotes graphic design- Broox Pulford
"Neighborhood" Poetry & Words- Uche Ohaya
The Whittier Alley Loop
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7
8
1. Alley Loop Lines, History Markers
and Community Quotes
2. Outdoor reading area
3. “Reader” Sculpture
4. “Diversity” Mural
5. “Be Kind” Mural
6. “Neighborhood” Poem & Words
7. Community Chalkboard
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8. “Bee Bridge” Mural
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2, 3, 4
What:
The Alley Loop will be a half-mile pathway across four alleyways that will feature murals by local artists and
community members, historic markers and quotes from neighborhood residents, and an outdoor reading area at the
Ford-Warren Library. The alleyways will remain open and clear to traffic and garbage trucks at all times.
Why: The Whittier Alley Loop will foster the neighborhood’s rich culture and history through the prism of art and design,
promoting positive interaction among neighbors as a result of improved aesthetics and increased pride.
Where: The Loop will be located on four alleyways between Williams, High and Race Streets, from 28th Avenue to 30th
Avenue. This location was chosen because of the history of the area, and the connection to neighborhood assets such as the
Ford-Warren Library, the Red Shield Community Center, Manual High School and Madame C.J. Walker Park.
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1- Alley Loop Lines
The Alley Loop begins at the north east corner of Madame C.J. Walker Park. Alley 1 is located along the one-time
“color line”. During the 1920’s and 1930’s this informal line was used as a neighborhood demarcation line to enforce
segregation between white and black households. The two seperate parallel lines along the alley symbolize this
terrible time in the history of the neighborhood.
The neighborhood eventually became integrated through the efforts of brave community leaders and members.
Their history will be featured in stencils along Alley 1. After the Loop crosses 29th Avenue, the lines split apart into
intersecting lines, symbolizing the diversity found in the neighborhood today.
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1- History Marker
Graphic Designer- Broox Pulford
These markers will feature historical information
about the “Color line” that ran through the
neighborhood up until the 1950’s. Each marker
will feature a figure or event that helped end
segregation and fight for equal housing and
civil rights. These markers will be located only in
Alleyway 1, and there will be 6 markers total. Each
marker will feature an image and text.
Colors:
“Bombay Breeze”- HC146
1- Community Quote Marker
Graphic Designer- Broox Pulford
These markers will feature quotes collected
from Whittier residents. Quotes will include
history from the neighborhood, or positive
memories or reflections on places or people
within the neighborhood. These markers will be
located in Alleyways 2, 3 and 4, and there will be
14 markers total. Each marker will feature text only.
Colors:
“Patio Green”- HC105
“Bombay Breeze”- HC146
“Aztec Sand”- HC136
“Terracotta Orange”- HC159
“Tile Red”- HC110
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Tile Red- HC110
Terracotta Orange- HC159
Aztec Sand- HC136
Patio Green- HC105
Bombay Breeze- HC146
Paint Color Chart
Paint: H&C Concrete Stain- Solid Color Water Based
Paint to be used on all alleyway, street and sidewalk surfaces.
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2- Outdoor Reading Area Plan
The outdoor reading area will be one of the community spaces added to the neighborhood and connected to
the Alley Loop. It will feature seating for reading, a story time area, native plantings, a sculpture and two murals.
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3- “Reader” Sculpture
Artist- Bob Ragland
The “Reader” will be a 3’-6” tall sculpture by artist, Bob Ragland. The sculpture will be located in the Outdoor
Reading Area at the Ford-Warren Library. Materials will include found metal.
Bob Ragland is a Whittier neighborhood resident and professional artist. His works are featured in the
permanent collection of the Kirkland Museum of Fine and Decorative Art.
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4- “Diversity” Mural
Artists- Jaime Molina, Pedro Barrios, and Project Voyce students at Manual High School
This mural will be a collaboration between artists Jaime Molina and Pedro Barrios, and Project Voyce students
at Manual High School. The students have been working in special classes with project leaders to define
diversity in their own terms. The artists will continue to work with them to make these ideas graphic, and
the students will also participate in painting the mural.
Jaime Molina and Pedro Barrios are Denver artists who frequently collaborate on murals together. Their
artworks have been featured in many local and national galleries, and they were awarded a grant from the
Urban Arts Fund to paint a mural along the Cherry Creek Trail.
Project Voyce is a Denver based nonprofit whose mission is to empower youth to create change
within themselves, their schools, their communities, and the world.
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5- “Be Kind” Mural
Artist- Dwayne Glapion
The “Be Kind” mural will be a juxtopostion of community member’s names and graphics to form the words
“be kind”. In April 2014, an anonymous hate letter was distributed to certain blocks of the Whittier neighborhood.
The letter contained many racist remarks, and many residents became alarmed and wanted to find a way
that they could show unity and support for each other. The community focused on the word “kind” and cards
were made that people could place in their windows. The theme of this mural is to show that a neighborhood's
strength comes from individuals who come together as a community to support each other. Many names
come together to form a plea for kindness. to each other.
The mural will also be a way to acknowledge and thank all those community members and business that
volunteer or donate to the project, while also symbolizing neighborhood diversity and unity.
Dwayne Glapion is an award winning Denver artist. Dwayne earned a Bachelors degree from the Art Institute
of Colorado in graphic design after serving in the military. He specializes in combining traditional art techniques
with modern digital art tools.
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6- “Neighborhood” Poem & Words
In two locations, a series of connected hexagons will feature poems and words by Uche Ohaya.
The poems will be located in Alleyways 3 and 4, near the 29th Avenue intersection.
There hexagons will feature text only.
Colors:
“Patio Green”- HC105
“Terracotta Orange”- HC159
“Bombay Breeze”- HC146
“Aztec Sand”- HC136
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7- Community Chalkboard
The Community Chalkboard will be located at Madame C.J. Walker Park. During the community planning
phase, many residents supported a community chalkboard idea. The Chalkboard will be a place where
people can share ideas, events, recipes, and their own art.
It will be constucted of plywood panels with chalkboard paint. Chalk and erasers will be provided.
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Madame C.J.
Walker Park
(E) Sidewalk
Honeycomb pattern
Colors:
“Aztec Sand”- HC136
“Tile Red”- HC110
Clouds
Color:
Bombay Breeze- HC146
(E)
Sid
ew
alk
Bee stencil, Typ.
High Street
8 - “Bee Bridge” Mural
The “Bee Bridge” will be a mural by local Whittier artist, Feile Case. It will be located at the High Street
cul-de-sac at Madame C.J. Walker Park.
"After hearing of the initial proposed project my first vision I was inspired to render an Asian inspired,
triangularly balanced three part image consisting of three elements. The sky (in blue and white, representing
air or space) and Honey Bees (representing humankind/man or the individual, the viewer) and their Honey
Comb (in yellow, representing earth and home). As the artwork would be a part of a community installation
I see the Honey BEE Colony as quite representative of a sensitive and productive Community that works for the
betterment of all involved. Honey Bees have a single mind set and work as a colony in unison to accomplish the
needs of the colony and only do what is necessary or best for the community."- Feile Case
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