Art Lab
Art Lab is a weekly evening of free art for mountain employees who live in the under-resourced communities from Brightwood to Parkdale. Art therapy is an effective way for folks to process trauma, and reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. It is an opportunity for the community to come together in low stimulation, high creativity environment to express themselves freely. The act of creating art shifts focus from rumination to the present moment, reducing anxiety and helping break the cycle of negative thought patterns. Non-verbal expression through art allows people to externalize internal experiences through images, colors, and symbols, making it especially effective for those who struggle with verbal communication or feel overwhelmed by emotions. The goal is for each artist to enter a flow state which is an intense and focused state of concentration on the present moment. Flow state allows a person to expereince a loss of self-consciousness and reduced inner criticism, and to feel more control over their current situation. Through our art, we learn to overcome our circumstances.
Movement Therapy
Movement therapy is one of our greatest tools for building community and reducing stress, anxiety, and depression by activating the parasympathetic nervous system and releasing stored emotional tension. Through yoga, dance, snowboarding, skiing, hiking, and sports, we give ourselves and each other a safe space to process trauma and reconnect with the body in a nonverbal way. By focusing on internal experience and personal expression, we open doors to healing.
The Govy Cupboard
The Govy Cupboard was born out of necessity in 2025 when SNAP benefits were revoked and people did not have a way to buy food, while already living in a food desert. Thanks to continued generous donations, the Govy Cupboard has grown into a well used resource in town by many, and we are a satellite location at our weekly events.
The view from Silcox, with Meadows in the distance.
Mutual Aid
The Upward Spiral, in partnership with The Govy Cupboard, has become a busy hub of resource sharing and mutual aid during recent emergent natural disasters. During the Grasshopper Fire, which as of August 12, 2026 has burned 83,642 acres and counting, we were able to mobilize two large water drops to people and pets when the Summits employee housing in Government Camp lost water for nearly 24 hours during a heat wave with barely breatheable smokey air. We have also coordinated resources for folks who needed to evacuate, connecting them with rides, and kind friends who have extra space for them to stay until the danger is over.