Art of Moab
When you look around Moab it’s not easy to miss the influence the art community has on the town. An artsy scene and creative vibe certainly is a part of Moab. And in Moab, art comes in many forms.
The trail of art
Walking or riding on the bike paths around town you will see many forms of art. On the footbridge that crosses the Colorado River, there are four locally-made sculptures integrated with the bridge itself.
These are part of theMoab ArTTrails, a non-profit organization that works to have art placed permanently around Moab. Learn more atmoabarttrails.org.
In Rotary Park, artist Richard Cooke with Freenotes has designed xylophones of all sizes. Go play them and see how the sounds differ by size.
A Festival of Art
The Moab Arts and Recreation Centeris a center for art classes and workshops, special events, and cultural offerings. The MARC regularly hosts special events such as the Red Rock Arts Festival Plein Air competition. This event celebrates open-air painting in Moab’s scenic environments.
The colorful, week-long gathering of artists and art lovers features workshops, competitions, awards, public art sales, and culminates with a street festival celebration. The MARC also presents the The Holiday Craft Fair, and monthly Art Walk exhibits.moabarts.org.
the shopping scene
Moab is full of unusual art shopping opportunities. In the center of downtown Moab, locally owned stores line both sides of the street so it’s easy to find a little piece of Moab to take home with you.
Hogan Trading Postwith hand-made, one-of-a-kind authentic Southwestern art and gifts, is more than an art and gifts gallery. It has jewelry, pottery, wall hangings, and lots of interesting items that can make nice gifts.
Stroll by the front of the store to see their selection of amazing wind stalks.435-259-8118,hogantrading.com.
Moab Madecarries more than 110 local artists’ work. Smaller versions of the xylophones in Rotary Park are for sale, plus unique bags made out of used bike tubes. Jewelry, pottery, and paintings are available.
The shop also carries local artisan apothecaries creating garden/farm-to- bottle tinctures, teas, and handcrafted collections of bath and body care.
Moab Made also offers artisan workshops throughout the season. Get hands-on experience learning from Moab’s local artists.435-261-3570,moabmade.com.
If you are looking for landscape or nature photographs, theTom Till Galleryis famous for its local images and iconic scenes, as well as shots of hidden places throughout the Southwest. The Gallery features photographic prints on paper, metal, canvas, and acrylic media as well as books, posters, notecards, and other products.435-259-9808,tomtill.com.
Support the Arts
The Moab Arts Councilis “your one-stop resource for the arts in Moab.” Their mission is to promote and support the arts in southeastern Utah.
They act as an arts advocacy, leadership, and granting organization with the belief and understanding that arts activities, events, and education provide for general community well being while contributing to economic diversity. Visitmoabartscouncil.orgto view a list of services and activities.
Moab’s Art Walk
Moab’s Art Walkis monthly April through November (except July and August). Enjoy art displays, from traditional painting, pottery, and sculpture, to large-format landscape photography, mixed media, beadwork, and stonework.moabartwalk.com.
Southeastern Utah
Don’t miss a stop atJackalope Tradingin Monticello, where local art meets the Wild West. This locally owned and operated gift shop features the work of more than 30 talented artisans including jewelry, photography, leather goods, pottery, and Native American handicrafts. The Jackalope also offers a uniquely curated selection of fair trade items, fine gifts, décor, home goods, and the best chocolate bars in the county.435-459-1107,jackalopetradingcompany.com.