Mural Art an Offbeat Alternative to Sightseeing in Moab

Murals dapple various establishments in Moab Utah. Make it a scavenger hunt to walk or pedal about to discover more about Moab's civic pride in the form of art. 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. And inside the Moab Brewery landscape murals wrap around the top of the walls.