'Waneka Lake Treasures'
For the latest info, see 
"Waneka Lake Treasures" mural
360º art around the pump house featuring living species in the area. Located at Waneka Lake Park & Greenlee Preserve in Lafayette, Colorado 80026
About this Project: This mural, 'Waneka Lake Treasures' is meant to be a joyful celebration of a beautiful natural lake park that teems with life, all manner of life, a beacon of the rich biodiversity of a loved Colorado waterbody, Waneka Lake - over 30 species are represented!
>>> The mural is located on the Pump House, South side of the lake
1600 Caria Dr, Lafayette, CO 80026 <<<
You can still donate towards Tif, ever growing collection of joyful public art in Boulder County & all across the Front Range!
Your support covers:
Helps cover the costs of materials: paints, brushes, plastic tarps, containers, tape, etc.
- Pays the artist, including commission and labor
- Contributes to campaign expenses
- Assists with future maintenance costs
- Supports educational programming associated with the mural
I'm really excited that it will serve as an educational piece for all, with the names of the species (in English and Spanish) all on the mural, to learn about many of the species that share this park and lake with us. Some of the species represented in the walls:
Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Hooded Mergansers, Swainson's Hawk, Osprey, Pelican, Canada Geese, Red-winged Blackbird, American Bullfrog, Soft-shelled Turtle, Snapping Turtles, Crayfish, Planorbid Snails, Catfish, Blue gills, Brook Trout, Bass fish, Crappie, more fish, dragonfly, local aquatic plant and wildflower species, Various People - kids and adults - walking biking and strolling with dogs, more.....
The top half of all sides represent the above water life, including birds, insects, plants, people, and the beautiful Colorado blue sky. The bottom half is the underwater level, painted all around approximately 8' tall, filled will all manner of aquatic species both flora and fauna and even some things we may only imagine . Now that's a cool perspective!
I began painting a large mural September 17, 2024, painting continuously on all four sides of the pump house building. The mural was completed July 2025.
Why create this?
- The critical environmental challenges the wildlife confronts as our human populations expand and grow remain largely unnoticed and unheard.
- Nestled in the heart of Lafayette, these wellsprings of life are jewels of natural beauty we are privileged to share space with.
- We aim to bring these stories to the forefront, fostering a deeper connection between the community and its natural surroundings and awareness of our fur and feathered neighbors.
-
Our Vision: A Canvas of Connection and Conservation
- Each side of the pump house is adorned with intricate artwork showcasing both the rich underwater life and surrounding habitat of Waneka Lake and neighboring Greenlee Wildlife Preserve, in a continuous loop.
- It draws compelling parallels between the physiology of animals, humans and the entire ecosystem.
- This unique perspective highlights our shared existence and awareness to the importance of maintaining the balance between human systems and Earth's living systems - local and global.
The Impact: Beyond Art
- This serves as a free educational tool, a conversation starter, and a call to action.
- We envision school groups and community members gathering here, learning about the significance of each species depicted
- Artwork helps to highlight the beautiful, yet fragile of wildlife habitats, and leaving with a renewed commitment to environmental stewardship.
To learn more about how you can contribute or get involved, please contact us directly at tif@snailcandy.com
With heartfelt thanks,
Tif Choate and the Team @ Snail Candy Arts, Lafayette, CO
Explore Snail.Candy.Arts