A new exhibition titled "Living Tradition. Past. Present. Future. Colorado Women Artists" has opened in the Colorado State Capitol's Rotunda Gallery, featuring 12 mobile murals honoring past, present, and future women artists from Colorado. Organized by the Women's Caucus for Art Colorado Chapter (WCACO) over four years, the show also includes additional works in the Governor's and Lieutenant Governor's offices. The murals, created collaboratively by a team of female artists, depict black-and-white portraits of each honoree surrounded by imagery from their own work, with finishing touches applied by designated "Face Whisperers."
The exhibition is part of a Colorado Creative Industries program that rotates three shows per year in the Capitol, highlighting local artistic diversity and aiming to resonate with legislators, state employees, and visitors. By centering women artists who have historically been overlooked, the project addresses gender imbalance in public art—artist Annette Coleman noted the contrast with the Capitol's existing murals depicting men. The show underscores the power of collaboration and community storytelling, featuring figures like master weaver Epiphana "Eppie" Archuleta and muralist Carlotta Espinoza, and demonstrates how grassroots efforts can achieve statewide visibility and impact.