Inconspicuous Art an Offbeat Alternative to Sightseeing in Moab

Make it a scavenger hunt to walk or pedal about to discover more about Moab's civic pride in the form of art. Murals dapple various establishments in Moab Utah. Along north Main Street see Poison Spider Bicycle's shop wall and a river scene across the front of Adrift Adventures. On the opposite end of town another river scene adorns Canyonlands Field Institute's buildings. Tucked behind Milt's Stop and Eat on the back of Dave's Corner Market is another water scene albeit a cretaceous rendering. From the cretaceous panel at the corner of East Mill Creek Drive and 400 East, take a walk to find several points of interest. Wander up Mill Creek Drive to the intersection to giggle at the eyes embossed in the retaining wall. Go back to Rotary Park, get a drink of water, play percussion instruments, then head west on the path, over the bridge, along the creek to 400 East. Go under 400 East to find the walls of the tunnel embellished there. Use the ramp to gain the sidewalk north on 400 East to amble to Dixie Park across the street from Milt's. In this pocket park there is a sculpture, “Rest Assured”, by local artist Serena Supplee. She also became the Artist in the Park for 2014. Supplee had several dates scheduled to meet with visitors in the backcountry of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks during 2014. Also note the hand stamped concrete art in Dixie.

• A Big Horn Sheep profile is on the north end of the Moab Brewery building.
• Another Big Horn Sheep appears startled in the depiction upon the back wall of Aarchway Inn. The mural there renders archeology elements in a terrific stone setting of the desert southwest.
• The newest mural, quite resplendent, is on the Tesoro Fuel Station mid-town at the entrance to the Canyonlands RV Resort & Campground.

Some 3-D items can be seen clinging to places, like the big desert lizard on Club Rio's building or another lizard hugging the Gonzo Inn sign on Main Street. Continue down the street past Gonzo Inn for a funny, warped art piece on the fence of Dream Rides office location. Stroll up Center Street from 100 West, there are Kokopelli statuary dotting the way. Onward east of Main Street go to the Moonstone Gallery, a sculpture garden, first pieces were commissioned to Michael Dunton. Dunton also provided the downtown street light embellishments of hanging stone. On the way beside the Museum of Moab, there is another sculpture to view too. This stroll will also pass the Center Street Gym which has a Diversity Mural, a collaborative project of community members of all ethnic descents financed by Utah Arts Council, Moab Arts Council and the Moab Arts and Recreation Center.

Out of town: turn onto Spanish Valley Road at the Spanish Trail Shell Station. Continue east to the roundabout of E Bench Road and Murphy Lane. In the circle are iron Kokopelli figures. Similar figures are to be found on the corner of Center Street and 100 West and in the yard of the Moab Information Center.

One of Moab's natural attractions is the historic rock art panels protected by the American Antiquities Act for permanent preservation for future generations. The Moab Information Center has a free leaflet detailing directions to these precious places. Please exercise care while enjoying these landmarks. Do not make rubbings, touch nor add scratches, ink, paint, marks to the stone surfaces, signs, fences, cultural structures in all of Moab.

Go Inside: find Hotel Moab Downtown (formerly Ramada Inn). The lobby has interesting graphics on the walls. The Red Rock Bakery has a surprise in the restroom.

The Art Line up for 2015 is as follows:

March 14, April 11, May 9, August 8, September 12, October 10, November 14
Moab Art Walk

http://www.moabartwalk.com
Jennifer Urbanczyk
435-259-4912
Moab Art Walk features local artists and receptions where you can hang around the most interesting people in Moab, view new artwork, and share a refreshment with your favorite artists. 6pm - 9pm.

March 14 & 15
Delicate Stitchers Quilt Guild Red Rock Quilt Show

http://www.moabquilts.blospot.com
Marian Eason
435-259-6447
The Delicate Stitchers Quilt Guild will display traditional and art quilts, as well as other quilted items at its ninth biennial quilt show. Also featuring a merchants mall, quilt appraiser and demonstrations at The Grand Center, 182 N 500 West. Free Admission. Saturday, March 14, 9 am - 5 pm; and Sunday, March 15, 10 am - 4 pm. Delicatestitchersquiltguild@yahoo.com

May 23-24 2015
Moab Arts Festival

http://www.moabartsfestival.org
Theresa King
435-259-2742
FREE admission, live music, Wine & Beer Garden, art vendors, art for kids. Located in the gorgeous setting of Swanny City Park, 400 N. 100 West, Saturday 10am-7pm and Sunday 10am-6pm. This free community event hosts local and national artists welcoming people from all parts of the world. For information email info@moabartsfestival.org or visit the website at moabartsfestival.org

October 2 – 10 2015
Plein Air Moab 2015

http://www.pleinairmoab.com
Sandi Snead
435-686-2545
Use online form to email
Plein Air Moab celebrates open air painting in breathtaking environments. The colorful, week-long gathering of artists and art lovers in Moab, UT, culminates in artist competitions & awards, public art sales, and fun with friends. Most events are free. Even is headquartered in the Moab Arts and Recreation Center at 111 East 100 North, Moab.

October 17 2015
Castle Valley Gourd Festival

http://www.gourdfestival.blogspot.com
Yrma van der Steenstraeten
435-259-8508
cvgf@frontier.com
Castle Valley Community Center
A celebration of gourds and gourd art, set in the scenic environment of Castle Valley, near Moab. Time: 10 AM - 3 PM. Activities for young and old, vendors with raw gourds and gourd art, silent auction to fund future festival, face painting, fortune telling, puppet show, parade and much more!

November 20-23 2015
Moab International Film Festival

http://www.moabfilmfestival.org
Nathan Wynn
435-216-2393
Moab International Film Festival showcases films which inspire change for the better in our world. $5 tickets and $30 passes are available at Canyonlands Copy Center, Sgt. Peppers Music and Video, The T-Shirt Shop, Back of Beyond Books, or online at moabfilmfestival.org. Event held in the Historic Star Hall at 159 E Center Street, Moab. Nathan@moabfilmfestival.org

On Going:

Big Horn Gallery located in the Dead Horse Point State Park visitor center has rotating exhibits by regional artists to enjoy.

Gallery Moab is an artist cooperative. At the time of this writing, twenty two artists are involved. Find artists regularly utilizing the space for a studio to enable visitors to watch and interact with local Moab artists. The group also has workshops and events held at the 87 North Main, Moab address.

Native American art can be viewed and purchased from Lema's Kokopelli Gallery, Canyonlands Trading Post, Arches Trading Post, or the Hogan Trading Company. Bret Edge and Tom Till have galleries of photography on Main Street Moab. Framed Image is a block east of Main Street at 59 E. Center Street displaying regional artists in that gallery.

Craft your own art as a photographer. Consider registering for a photography workshop (link to a blog post?) held in Moab or reserving a photography tour with local companies.
http://www.discovermoab.com/tour.htm