“Endangered” by Mae Piña at the Central Library east parking lot
Have you noticed the new painting at the Mesa County Libraries Central location?
Local artist Mae Piña was selected by the Mesa County Public Works Stormwater Management Program to paint one of several sidewalk paintings above storm drains to help raise awareness about the environmental impact these drains have on our community.
Various storm drains throughout Mesa County were selected as site for local artists’ paintings and Piña chose a site located in the east parking lot at our Central Library in downtown Grand Junction.
Her design, “Endangered”, features threatened fish species native to Colorado to draw attention to the proper use of storm drains and to create a greater awareness of wildlife conservation, especially of endangered species.
In addition to her paintings of Greenback Cutthroat Trout, Humpback Chub, and Bonytail Chub, an hourglass is included in the design to remind people that time is limited. “Our planet is the only place we have to call home and if the wildlife goes, so do we. The mindset that water is a bottomless pit is false and should be cared for like the precious resource that it is,” says Piña.
A lifelong artist, Mae Piña earned a BFA from Colorado Mesa University in 2022 and has recently painted a mural at the Grand Junction Union Depot featuring endangered species native to Colorado. You can view more of Mae’s art through her Instagram account @mae_pina.
Remember, water from storm drains is not filtered or cleaned before it is drained into the Colorado River and it is up to all of us to be responsible for our waste. For tips and educational resources on how to help keep our stormwater clean, visit Mesa County Public works Stormwater Division.