We had the good fortune of connecting with Hannah Corson and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Hannah, what do you attribute your success to?
Open-handed collaboration. This looks like inviting folks come to the table and offer what they have in terms of their strengths, passions, and abilities and then actually using them with no agenda, other than to observe what magic happens. Progress is often slow, but connections are real and lasting, providing the needed foundation of trust for community growth.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started the @westcliffecolorado account because I realized that there wasn’t anyone else sharing pictures of Custer County on Instagram. Very quickly I realized that featuring other’s images was a very simple collaboration that opened the door to connection with real people who cared about the same place I did. Because of the creative focus that Instagram innately has, it seemed to draw a specific type of person who valued the importance of collaboration and connection in a community. The challenge that comes with collecting and holding a community of creatives with open hands, to enable freedom, is how to also provide the visionary guidance needed to set goals that we can aim for as a group. Within the tension of this leadership challenge is also my biggest source of pride. One time, a friend forwarded me a post from the account, and they had no idea that I was the founder! It feels so good to know I’ve been able to create and foster something that other people are able to fully show up and enjoy as their own. I’ve learned that it is difficult to hold space for both of those things simultaneously: ambition and freedom. And that progress is very slow when true collaboration and connections are primary values. But we are building something more substantial than an Instagram account. We’re building community.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If you were visiting Westcliffe from a larger city, the first things I’d have you do is s l o w d o w n. The pace of Custer County is both peaceful and somewhat frustrating if you aren’t prepared for it. I’d recommend on the way, stopping at Princeton Hot Springs for a day to allow your body to get to the pace needed to enjoy Westcliffe thoroughly. Once you’re relaxed and ready to enjoy the land, there are many accomodations available in the county. If you want to stay near main street, I’d recommend the Courtyard County Inn or Dark Sky Suites. If you want a more rural location, @redachalet offers an off-the-grid experience or @hillsidecolorado is a tiny historical town just outside of town. If you’re a coffee person I recommend Peregrine Coffee and Sugarlump Co. If you are craving some handmade baked goods, check out Sugar and Spice Bakery. If you want a decent drink Chappy’s is a town classic and Bootleggers is a more recent addition. SilverWest Feedstore is a restaurant/bar that also outdoor concerts in the summer. The High Mountain Hay Fever Festival has been held in Westcliffe every summer for 6 years and the Hardscabble Mountain Trail Run also happens at the beginning of every summer. Westcliffe was the first Dark Skies community in Colorado and remains to be my personal favorite place to see the milky way and you can reserve a time to view the stars from the Smokey Jack Observatory. Not to mention the MANY peak and lake hikes to be found in the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. You can look up hikes by skill level on AllTrails.com.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Dan and Jen Thoemke in Golden Colorado: their heart for community and collaboration transformed how I see what is possible for a community.
Moderators who have offered their strengths, passions and abilities to provide leadership on connecting with others through @westcliffecolorado: Scott Dankof (@scottdanofphoto), Lisa Bivins (@foxx106), Emily Ramsey (emram729), Jesse Coffman (@elemotionphoto).
Summer Ambassadors: Over the last several years we’ve had many folks commit to represent Westcliffe Colorado online and locally by posting regularly and hosting local and online events. Meredith Hite (@meredith.rose) Renee Cernichiari (@neecerni) Brian O’Conner (@boconn23) Christina Joy (@christy.360) Marley Seifert (@marleyseifertdesigns) Kendra Branch (@kendi14) Nicole Bowman (@nicolebowmanphotography) Darren Thomas (@rundarrun) Jonathan Drake (@jonathandrake.co )Daylene Wilkins (@thesquatchfam) Chiara Hamilton (@chiarahamiltonmuse) Marisol Seegers (@darkskysuites) Malina Troyer (@malindamaetroyer) Genna Calkins-Mushrush (@wetmountainwayfarer) Jessica Gonyo (@deermountainwellness) Jen Marhenke (@jenmarhenke) Jolene Mast (@jolene_41) Malissa Ahlin (@malissaahlin) Lauryn Richelle (@lauryn.richelle)
My husband, Ryan. For pushing me to dream bigger. And my boys, Ellis and Jack, for keeping me grounded in the present.
Instagram: @westcliffecolorado
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hellowestcliffe