If you’ve driven past Denver on I-70 recently, you may have noticed Pat’s latest mural for Dream Books Co., an amazing company in Denver that recirculates and recycles books to promote literacy and sustainability.
Dream Books Co. keeps tens of thousands of books out of landfills every year by partnering with schools, libraries, businesses and individuals to collect, sort and redistribute unwanted books. Books in good condition are listed on the company’s online bookstore and those that are too damaged to return to circulation are recycled appropriately. The company also provides free curriculum recycling for schools, supports teachers with in-store credits, and collaborates with local libraries to ensure literature remains accessible to all.
“We wanted an art piece at the headquarters because we are in a very heavy warehouse district and we work with a bunch of organizations like schools and libraries that provide a lot to the community. By brightening up the space, it allows us to spread our message while bringing joy to the people who see it and the organizations we work with,” said Courtney Dixon, the partnerships manager at Dream Books Co.
Pat designed the mural to celebrate the power of books and the endless possibilities that Dream Books Co. brings to life by preserving these stories. The once-gray wall is now a visual love letter to literacy.
“I really wanted this piece to express that feeling of being lost in the pages, being lost in your books and the loving energy and all the beauty that comes from books,” Milbery said. “What happens a lot of times when we start listening to or reading books is you’re allowed to dream, you’re allowed to expand your imagination. The message is all about how books help your dreams to become reality.”
Flowing book pages in the center of the piece portray the book as the starting place of a reader’s journey, creating energy and ideas that flow outward into new adventures and frontiers. A mix of warm and cool tones contrasts the industrial setting with the warmth of literature, while autumnal golds highlight Colorado’s seasonal beauty. The power of reading and human imagination all fuels the heart that rises bright above the pages.
“What Dream Books is doing with this system is beautiful,” Milbery said. “It’s keeping print alive and making it affordable. Books are such an important staple in our learning, in our society, and in our connection to other people.”
To learn more about Dream Books Co., visit https://www.dreambooksco.com/ and keep an eye out for this bright mural next time you’re driving past exit 276 on I-70!