In November of 2019 we connected with Covive, a sustainably focused experiential design firm located in SF, who was looking for a specialty fabricator to build a new section of the rock climbing exhibit in the Yosemite Visitors Center in Yosemite National Park. Being big fans of the park, and looking to add to our portfolio of permanent installation projects, we happily jumped on board. Producer Elizabeth Etienne took the reins on this project, which consisted of several unique vignettes highlighting the wide variety of technical equipment used in this thrilling sport, the history of climbing in the park, and the athletes that blazed the trails Yosemite is known for worldwide. The 450 square foot exhibit featured incredibly accurate faux granite facades, lots of large format graphics, illuminated vitrines, and physical displays of climbing equipment including a suspended portaledge and rescue litter.
The process for this visitors center began with our project management team meeting with the project designers and specialty fabricators, including Chad Upham, creative director at Covive, James Freed of James Freed Design, Bo Hick, and natural exhibit sculptor Jon Altemus. JMP then expanded the team to include the talented Chris Hirneisen of Vectorpickle for metalwork and installation expertise. The detailed designs were flushed out, and a process for bringing them to life was established. Just as we were getting started, a global pandemic hit, bringing the project to a temporary halt as we adjusted to the new normal. Nevertheless, we continued with our mission albeit with an altered approach that allowed our fabrication team to work safely in our shop. They worked tirelessly to build the structural walls, faux granite, and print all the large format graphics seen throughout the exhibit.
Many thanks to our clients at Covive for bringing us on board to build their fabulous design for the visitors center, Ken Yeager, President of the Yosemite Climbing association for providing the artifacts and curation, and Ryan Kelly, the Conservancy Project Manager well as Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Conservancy, American Alpine Club, and Yosemite Climbing Association. The project kept our team stimulated as the economy crumbled around us, and we are grateful to our partners for helping us keep our doors open during these trying times. We look forward to partnering with Covive again in the future.
Interested in learning more about JMP and our projects? Read on below to discover other work we have done in the past, or contact us to learn how we can help you turn your ideas into reality.
