The Man Who Painted Christmas for Estes Park

Before inflatable Santas and synchronized light shows, Estes Park celebrated Christmas through the artistry of Buel Porter.

In the early 1950s, Porter, a seasoned sign painter and commercial illustrator, relocated to Estes Park. He had honed his skills creating movie theater slides, billboards, and Coca-Cola advertisements, mastering the art of crafting large, readable, and inviting images.

After acquiring Estes Park Signs in 1951, Porter immersed himself in his trade. However, by the mid-1950s, he began a new endeavor: painting Christmas scenes.

Initially, these festive artworks adorned his own yard. By 1957, they became a cherished part of the town's holiday decor.

Over the next decade, Porter produced grand holiday displays featuring Santa and his reindeer, the Nativity, towering shepherds, six-foot sheep, wise men on camels, and whimsical scenes like Christmas in Bugville and Santa’s Christmas Card Studio. One notable piece was a 22-foot depiction of the Risen Jesus.

Crafted on 1950s plywood, these artworks were not designed for permanence. They were meant to be displayed, weathered, and eventually replaced, much like snowbanks or old signs that fade yet retain their charm.

For years, the appearance of these panels signaled the arrival of Christmas. Residents and visitors alike recognized the season through Porter's creations.

Porter passed away in 1969 at his Big Horn Drive home. Some of his displays continue to be showcased seasonally, while others have been retired due to their fragility.

Porter's intention was never permanence but presence. He painted to reflect a town's care for itself, capturing the essence of a community's spirit during the holiday season.