Destination Granby has been collaborating with local artists on a project that adds extra color and whimsy to Granby’s main street.

Destination Granby is a nonprofit organization that operates Granby’s Information Center, as well as plans major events, enhances community engagement, spearheads beautification projects and provides marketing and business support.

Recently, the organization collaborated with local artist Michaela “Mikey” Cross to create Granby’s new street banners that feature colorful and eccentric summer scenes starring various critters. The banners adorned with Cross’s signature art were installed in June.

Each of the scenes in the banners correlate with signature Granby events and attractions like a raccoon paddleboarding on Lake Granby, an elk singing at Music and Market, a dapper bear exploring the Moffat Road Railroad Museum, a fox painting at Art in the Park and a bucking horse at the Flying Heels Rodeo.

Cross, a Granby resident, discovered her passion for painting in college, where she developed her signature style. She is known for her vibrant, often humorous depictions of animals in unexpected situations.

“For me, it’s a huge honor to be a part of this project,” Cross said. “I have loved watching Granby evolve as I’ve grown up here. It’s been amazing watching the local artists blossom in our county and get embraced by the community over the years.”

Cross’s banners are the first set of street banners to be displayed as part of a collaborative project between local artists and Destination Granby, who spearheaded the idea.

The initiative aims to eventually rotate different artists as part of an artist showcase. Upcoming banners sets will feature art by Wendy Carmichael, ranch and agricultural photography by Jay Stewart and design and printing by Jeremy Hydle.

Destination Granby tuned into local creatives

From the artists to the banner manufacturers, the staff at Destination Granby made it a goal to utilize local talent for this project.

The street flags were manufactured by HookFish MFG, a creative manufacturing studio in Denver, that Granby resident Jeremy Hydle co-founded in 2011. HookFish specializes in high-quality apparel and signage.

Hydle said that this project was special to him.

“It feels truly special to be working on such a local level,” Hydle said. “Most of our business at HookFish is national, so it was incredibly awesome to bring a project like this home to Granby.”

A news release from Destination Granby states that the summer banners are just the beginning of Main Street’s “evolving artistic story.” Residents should stay on the lookout for fresh banners as they’re installed later in the year. Each set of street banners will showcase a different aspect of Granby’s identity and history through different artistic perspectives.

Executive director of Destination Granby, Sarah Cichon, said that this project “perfectly” aligns with the organization’s mission of engaging with the community and connecting people, places and businesses.

“We’re not just beautifying Main Street. We’re actively supporting our local creatives and engaging in placemaking that enhances Granby,” Cichon said.

The initiative was funded by a Colorado Main Street mini-grant given to Destination Granby with funding from another Department of Local Affairs grant requiring a 25% municipal match.

Destination Granby is considered an “excelling” level Main Street America program, which is a national network dedicated to fostering vibrant places and strengthening communities through preservation-based economic development. The program helps communities revitalize traditional downtowns by leveraging a town’s unique local assets.

Granby is home to the sole designated Colorado Main Street in Grand County. This recognition gives Granby access to resources, expert guidance, financial assistant and a collaborative network of partners.

Jenny Mann, a member of the Granby Public Art Committee, explained that Destination Granby surveyed community members in January ask what they wanted to see and that the public responded by saying they wanted to see more local art. Other feedback collected in the survey will be implemented in this banner project, Mann explained.