Melody Epperson
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      • Meandering
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      • Tree Tales audio files >
        • Tree Tales Rotella Park
        • About Tree Tales
        • The Three Branches- Regis
        • Yggdrasil
        • The Enchanted Apple Tree
        • The Hawthorn Tree
        • A Tale of Two Trees
        • The Three Branches
        • The Lime Tree
        • Sky Woman- A bedtime story
        • The Tree Gnome
      • Small Works
    • Collaborative-Performative >
      • Discover the Covered
      • I See You...
      • Begin Again
  • Contact Melody
  • Nine Stages of Grief Prints
    • Withdrawal
    • Guilt
    • Shock
    • Physical Distress
    • Depression
    • Acceptance
    • Disorientation
    • Anger
    • Loss

About Tree Tales 

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A seed of an idea

Tree Tales started with a seed of an idea. The idea that our connection with trees goes way back. And if we take time to appreciate trees we are more connected to nature and each other.

It is funded thanks to a PS You are Here Grant from Denver Arts and Venues.

Tree Tales is located in eight trees in

La Alma / Lincoln Park 

All trees can be found in La Alma/Lincoln Park

PS You Are Here Grant

P.S. You Are Here (PSYAH) is a grant program supporting neighborhood-based, community-led projects that activate city-owned, outdoor public spaces. PSYAH projects build civic engagement, honor heritage, beautify neighborhoods and enrich communities. 
In 2022, Denver Arts & Venues will invest $100,000 in funding for projects to be implemented in 2022-2024. Grants of up to $10,000 are available to individuals, and non-profit and for-profit businesses to build innovative, temporary projects that are rooted in community collaborations.

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The Story of Tree Tales

​After Melody received the grant she selected the eight storytellers and their unique stories. There are eight stories featured in the eight trees. Visitors can use the QR code on the tree to listen to each Tree Tale. These enchanting Tree Tales are beautifully written by the storytellers. The storytellers are:  Ana Mettler, Angel Vigil, Erin M. Banta, Sudri Castillio, Cole Chernushin, Emy McGuire, Sangita Patel, Alison Travacchio.

Partner with Arts Street

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Melody partnered with Arts Street to work with their student intern program. Melody worked with the interns for two months. The interns participated three ways in the creation of this collaborative art installation. First they wrote their own Tree Tales, then they photographed the park trees and finally they sewed and screen printed the 80 flags along side Melody.

Writing the Tree Tales

The interns wrote incredibly personal stories, some biographical and some fiction. This aspect of the project was particularly rewarding because it showed how connected they were to trees.

Photographing the trees in the park

When Melody and the interns went to the park to photograph the trees it was winter. We bundled up and explored the trees through the lens of our cameras. It was wonderful seeing their artistic perspectives and creativity showing up as they wandered around taking photos of the beautiful winter trees.

Recording the stories

We were fortunate to have partnered with Youth on Record to record our final stories. Jesus was so generous and kind to spend the afternoon recording 16 stories. They sound absolutely incredible.

Converting photos to transparencies

Another fortunate partnership in this project was with Ink Lounge. Stuart, the owner, graciously opened his screenprinting business for an afternoon and taught us how to coat our screens with the photo emulsion. He also generously donated all the transparencies and many screens so we would have enough for 16 screens to be created. In one afternoon we had completed all of the screens.

Making the screens for printing

Sewing the flags

Many of the interns didn't know how to sew. They all were very excited to learn this skill. (They also got to iron the flags)

Creating a texture with paint

In order to have more depth and create more interesting flags we added texture first.

Screenprinting

After creating screens from the photos we took in the park we screen printed on the flags. This process is much more like painting with stencils. This took several days since the flags needed to dry between layers. It was so much fun!
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Finally we presented to our friends, families and other official guests.

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Listen to the Tree Tales 

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Photo by Melody Epperson

Yggdrasil

Told by Ana Mettler

​


PicturePhoto by Melody Epperson

The Tree Gnome
​
(El gnomo del árbol) 
​
(Spanish/Espanol)

Told by Sudri Castillo

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Photo by Melody Epperson

A Tale of Two Trees

 Told by Sangita Patel


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Photo by Melody Epperson

The Lime Tree

Told by Cole Chernushin

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Photo by Melody Epperson

The Enchanted Apple Tree

Told by Erin M. Banta

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Photo by Melody Epperson

The Three Branches

Told by Angel Vigil

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Photo by Melody Epperson

The Hawthorn Tree

Told by Alison Talvacchio

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Photo by Melody Epperson

 Sky Woman- A Bedtime Story

Told by Emy McGuire

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Original Tree Tales by ​Arts Street Denver Youth 

This experiential art and sound installation will enrich visitors lives by fostering a sense of belonging and connection with nature. It honors diverse cultures and allows local artists and neighborhood youth to connect in a more meaningful way with trees. When visitors encounter these vibrant trees they will also see a sign with a QR code that leads them, via their cell phone, to listen to the rich traditional tales. This encounter with the trees and Tree Tales will provide a greater sense of peace and well-being as well as a deeper appreciation of nature both in their own community and the planet.
 
La Alma/Lincoln Park is open to the public 7:00 am- dark. Visitors are encouraged to come back multiple times through the 8 months of the installation.

This project is through Denver Arts and Venues thanks to the PS You are Here Grant
Melody worked in partnership with Arts Street- YEA, Ink Lounge, and Youth on Record.
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  • Home
  • FEATURED ART FOR PURCHASE
  • About Melody
    • Artist Statement
    • Demonstration
    • Previous Exhibits
    • Press and Publications
  • Blog
  • Art by Curiosities
    • Recent Current Exhibits
    • Being Human >
      • Remembering...
      • Lifetime of Snapshots
      • Chakras
      • 100+1
    • The Natural World >
      • Meandering
      • Reflections and Refractions
      • Horizons
      • Groves and Trees
      • Tree Tales audio files >
        • Tree Tales Rotella Park
        • About Tree Tales
        • The Three Branches- Regis
        • Yggdrasil
        • The Enchanted Apple Tree
        • The Hawthorn Tree
        • A Tale of Two Trees
        • The Three Branches
        • The Lime Tree
        • Sky Woman- A bedtime story
        • The Tree Gnome
      • Small Works
    • Collaborative-Performative >
      • Discover the Covered
      • I See You...
      • Begin Again
  • Contact Melody
  • Nine Stages of Grief Prints
    • Withdrawal
    • Guilt
    • Shock
    • Physical Distress
    • Depression
    • Acceptance
    • Disorientation
    • Anger
    • Loss