Moab Happenings Archive
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MUSEUM HAPPENINGS - April 2022

Community Curated Exhibits Take Center Stage
by the Moab Museum Staff



Volunteer Spotlight: Devon Dunajski Creates Canyon Country Colors Display

Rock colors that inspire Katsina carvers

Inspired by the Museum’s winter special exhibit Hopi Katsina: Evolving Styles, Enduring Meanings, seasonal ranger at Arches and Canyonlands National Parks Devon Dunajski, asks: Why are the rocks red? It’s a question often posed by visitors to Moab, and one that Devon has answered often. Recently, Devon shared her expertise and enthusiasm for geology with the Moab Museum by creating a temporary display entitled Canyon Country Colors, now on display in the museum’s gallery.

With specimens spanning vibrant reds, pale blues, and fluorescent yellows, Canyon Country Colors explains the kaleidoscope of tones found in rock layers surrounding Moab. Visitors have the opportunity to touch specimens, and learn how certain minerals have long shaped the human experience on the Colorado Plateau.

“I hope this exhibit can show that geology can be an approachable subject. For those without a background in geology, the immense timeline, extreme scales, and the diversity of topics within the discipline can be really intimidating!” says Devon. “When talking about geology, my #1 goal is to show that geology can be a fascinating subject and encourage folks to ask more questions. The more we appreciate our Earth, the better we will treat it.”

The Moab Valley Multicultural Center exhibit Culture on Camera


Now and Looking Forward

Community curated exhibits take center stage! A host of temporary exhibits collaboratively curated with local organizations fill our spring schedule. Join us for this dynamic array of exhibitions featuring the stories, art, and hard work of the community and showcased in the galleries of the Moab Museum.

• The Moab Valley Multicultural Center presents a temporary exhibit entitled Culture on Camera. Much like MVMC, photographs bridge culture and language. This temporary exhibit features photographs on loan from Artes de Mexico en Utah taken by Mexican photographer Agustin Casasola, contrasting with portraits by photographer Nickolas Muray, and exhibited courtesy of Nickolas Muray Photo Archives, Chris Muray and Mimi Muray Levitt. Through April 4th.

Devon Dunajski with the Canyon Country Colors interpretive table


• The Seekhaven Family Crisis & Resource Center presents a sequel to their Fall 2021 pop-up exhibit. The temporary exhibit will be on display April 5th through 16th in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Join us at the April 9th Art Walk from 5-8 p.m. at the Museum.


The Moab Charter School brings the Museum to life from April 19th through 30th with the work of student art inspired by Utah’s distinctive landscape. Opening reception on April 19th at 6 p.m.

• The Delicate Stitchers Quilting Guild’s annual exhibition comes to the Museum during the month of May. This year’s exhibition, entitled Lotsa Dots, will feature quilts created by local quilters featuring polka-dot material! Join the Guild on May 14th during the 5 to 8 p.m. Art Walk at the Museum.

We hope to see you at the Museum this spring for this colorful array of exhibitions and programs!

The Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Become a member and directly support the preservation of the region’s cultural and natural history.

www.moabmuseum.org • 118 East Center Street, Moab, UT • 435-259-7985


Movie & Western Memorabilia Museum at Red Cliffs Lodge


Indiana Jones PosterRed Cliffs Lodge, on the banks of the mighty Colorado River, is home to the Moab Museum of Film & Western Heritage. The lodge is built on the old George White Ranch, a key location for nine of the big westerns including Rio Grande, Cheyenne Autumn, Ten Who Dared, The Commancheros, and Rio Conchos.

The late George White was founder of the Moab to Monument Valley Film Commission, the longest ongoing film commission in the world.

In the museum one can learn more about film locations, how the sets are built, and how the filming process is managed on nature’s own sound stage. On display in the museum are production photographs, movie posters, autographed scripts, props from the many pictures filmed in the area, and displays about the western ranching heritage. For information, call Red Cliffs Lodge at 435-259-2002.

Rio Grande Through the magnificent landscapes of southeastern Utah, writers have been inspired and stories born here. Zane Grey, the famous western novelist, traveled through the area in 1912. His visit inspired him to write his book Riders of the Purple Sage. The book was made into a movie starring Ed Harris and Amy Madigan, and filmed on locations around Moab.

A partial list of stars that have made movies in Moab
John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Henry Fonda, Lee Marvin,
Rock Hudson, Jimmy Stewart, Richard Boone, Anthony Quinn,
Mickey Rooney, Shirley Temple, Kris Kristofferson, Billy Crystal,
Robert Duvall, Gene Hackman, Bill Murray, Jack Palance, Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Ted Danson, Tom Cruise, and many more.
 
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