And the winner is... Kay O’Neil, owner of O’Neil Rocky Mountain Art, recently won the summer t-shirt contest with her design, “Nederland, An Oasis in the Mountains.” PHOTOS BY BARBARA HARDT[/caption]

Back at the beginning of 2022, the Town of Nederland made a conscious decision to take a different direction with its focus. It was felt a Visitor Center in Nederland should reflect the community itself, selling locally made products and art by local artists. As a beginning to that goal, a contest was announced for local artists to submit ideas for summer t-shirt designs. First place design would win $100. The $100 came from donations to the Visitor Center.

The Nederland Visitor Center is proud to announce the first place winner is Kay O’Neil of O’Neil Rocky Mountain Art, LLC, owner of our local stained glass studio. O’Neil’s design depicts a sunny creek, trees and mountains in six colors. The caption is “Nederland, An Oasis in the Mountains.” As O’Neil sees it, an oasis defines Nederland. It is a precious jewel, a special place felt through its people, unspoiled beauty and atmosphere of a real community. And it is surrounded by water, the key ingredient of an oasis in the desert.

The real story is in how O’Neil ended up in Nederland. Originally from Missouri, O’Neil was restless and wanted to move to a community where she would be more supported as an artist. She consulted a “relocation astrologer” she had heard on the radio show, “Coast To Coast.” After their private session, he suggested Nederland, Colorado, would be an ideal place for her to relocate.

She moved here in 2010, working out of a two-stall garage with a wood stove added. Four years later, she moved to Gilpin County and put her studio in a horse barn. But after seeing a bear come out of the barn one day, she realized she would need to find a safer place to work. After several discussions with Caribou Shopping Center management, she signed a lease for her current location and moved back to Nederland, making a complete circle to return here.

O’Neil learned her craft from a friend 30 years ago. Her first project was a Carousel horse. She feels that it is serendipitous as she now has her studio in a town that has a Carousel, further evidence she is where she is intended to be. She says before she had a storefront, she spent 80% of her time in marketing her business. Now in her studio/shop she spends 100% practicing her craft. She doesn’t need to market her business any longer.

Stop by her studio and see her beautiful pieces that are available for sale. She also does special orders and teaches classes. Some of her past clients include Bass Pro and owners of The Buff in Boulder, and the Nederland Visitor Center.

Soon you will be able to buy a shirt or hoodie at the Visitor Center with O’Neil’s design on it. Then she won’t be making circles around Nederland. Her art will be circling the world. Follow Nederland Area Visitor Center on Facebook. We will post when her shirts arrive.

O’Neil Rocky Mountain Art, LLC, is located at 20 Lakeview Drive, Suite 209 on the second level of Caribou Village Shopping Center in Nederland, above Brightwood Music and next to Tres Gringos.

To find out more about Kay O’Neil and her art, check out her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ ONeil- Rocky- Mountain- Art- LLC- 149099085213934/?ref=page_ internal.

To find out more about Nederland Visitor’s Center, check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1266206700537668.