When Rocky Mountain Equality launched the Capital Campaign for its new headquarters at the Equality Center of the Rocky Mountains, they were creating more than a permanent home for their work across Colorado, they were also creating a vital space for the community to gather and an opportunity to recognize the people who helped make it all possible.
A cornerstone of the Capital Campaign was the room dedications throughout the building. Each space would be named for influential changemakers in Colorado’s LGBTQ+ history, through generous donations from leading sponsors of RMEQ. Many organizations would have approached the environmental graphics challenge with plaques and donor walls. We saw an opportunity to make recognition part of the experience of the building itself.
Because the Equality Center serves as a hub for support, education, advocacy, events, and connection, every room, office, hallway, and shared space becomes the backdrop for that work. We wanted the building itself to help tell the story.
Working closely with the Rocky Mountain Equality team, we developed a graphics system of large-scale portrait murals, bold colors, storytelling elements, and room dedications that extend throughout the center. The goal was to create a space that reflects the history, values, and character of the community it serves.
We pushed for bold scale to give the honorees on the walls a real presence. The stories of leaders such as Clela Rorex, Jean Dubofsky, Ann C. Noonan, Jean Hodges, Penfield Tate, Tim Fuller, Nicole Garcia, and Pat Pherson are marked by courage, conviction, persistence, and possibility. We wanted that spirit to be felt throughout the center and become part of the experience of the building itself.
One dedication holds particular meaning for our Vermilion team.
The Morehouse Studio honors Vermilion founder Bob Morehouse, whose work helped strengthen nonprofits, civic organizations, arts groups, and LGBTQ+ organizations across Colorado for more than four decades. Bob’s commitment to helping organizations build visibility and support continues to influence the way we approach our work.
Bob’s quote displayed on the studio door reflects a value that shaped this project as well:
“What a privilege to raise visibility of a community I love.”
We’re grateful to have partnered with Rocky Mountain Equality to help bring that vision to life.
As Kyl Caragol, Director of Development at RMEQ, shared:
“Vermilion turned our blank canvas into a thriving hub of brightness and cultural pride. Every sign, room, and space honors LGBTQ+ history, while their inspired solutions, joyful communication, and unmatched attention to detail brought our Equality Center to life beautifully.”
Recognition is often treated as something added to a building after the work is done. But for the Equality Center, we believe it can be part of the architecture of belonging itself.
To learn more about RMEQ’s Capital Campaign: (https://www.rmequality.org/about/capital-campaign)
And for more about the RMEQ rebrand: (https://vermilion.com/case-study/rocky-mountain-equality/)
