Hand Carved Map

John Urbanik's hand carved area relief map of Moab is among the treasured items in the Museums collections. Having taken nearly 20 years to complete the map is carved out of layers of balsa wood painstakingly pieced together bit by bit. The detail of the map is incredible and it gives an excellent view of the Moab area from above.

Jim Tharp named to Western Museum Association Board

This past Saturday the 20th of September Jim Tharp Museum of Moab Board Treasurer was elected to the Board of the Western Museum Association(WMA) as Secretary. 

The WMA serves museums in the Western United States and Canada providing resources, training and advocacy. 

The election took place at the annual WMA meeting held this year in Anchorage, Alaska.

Museum Exhibit Features Matheson Preserve

The Museum's Fall Artwalk focuses on the wildlife and the growth of the Matheson Preserve. Watercolor images and photographs highlight the beautiful and diverse animal life that inhabit the ever fluctuating wetland along the Colorado River. A short film called Birds of the Preserve is also showing during the exhibit as well

Allen Memorial Hostpital Long Term Care Resident Visit the Museum

The Long Term Care Residents of Allen Memorial Hospital visited the museum on Thursday September 4th. They enjoyed viewing the museums exhibits and were treated special musical performance by Director Travis Schenck. A few of the residents told stories about when they were young and the pictures of people they remembered.

Institute of Museum and Library Services Awards Museum grant

The Institute of Musem and Library Services has awarded the Museum with a grant for a collection of books, DVDs, charts, online resources, and other materials as part of the Conneting to Collections Bookshelf. These materials will help improve the museums collection management as well as providing resources that can be shared with other groups in the Moab area.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation’s 122,000 libraries and 17,500 museums. The Institute's mission is to create strong libraries and museums that connect people to information and ideas. The Institute works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development.

Pioneer Day Ice Cream Social

July 24th
The Museum held it's annual Pioneer Day Ice Cream Social. Visitors enjoyed vanilla and chocolate ice cream, and rainbow sherbet. Ashley and Andrew Aedo of Provo demonstrated wool spinning and sandal making respectively. Guests also enjoyed music provided by a pickup band of musicians from the farmers market.
Approximately one hundred people participated in the social this year consuming five gallons of ice cream and sherbet.

The Band Playing

Weaving Sandals

Spinning Wool

Utah Arts Council Exhibits

The Museum of Moab will be hosting two traveling exhibits from the Utah Arts Council.




February Exhibit

Navajo Children: Weaving the Future

Hand made rugs and blankets have always been an important part of Native American culture and economy. Weaving techniques and patterns have traditionally been passed down from mothers and grandmothers to daughters.

Modern lifestyles have threatened this art form. Tourism, and economic development from Adopt an Elder Program have given this art form renewed interest. Adopt an Elder Program sponsors rug sales directly from the weavers who get one hundred percent of the profits. Young and talented Navajo children living in the Navajo Nation did all the rugs and blankets in this exhibit. The collection is on loan from Adopt an Elder Program. For further information or to get involved in the program or rug sales contact Lynda Meyer, director, (435)-649-0535.




March Exhibit

World of the Wild

The World of the Wild, sponsored by Utah's Hogle Zoo, is the annual art show featuring artworks of animals and the wild. The goal of this exhibition is to bring together the works of serious artists who are interested in displaying their view of wild animals, plants and places with which we share our world.

The art of depicting animals is an ancient one. Prehistoric men depicted animals on cave walls in an attempt to gain power over their hunt. These paintings can still be seen in Lascaux, France; Altamira, Spain; Africa and Australia. Fremont and Anasazi Indians of Utah also drew animal images as a form of spiritual empowerment. The ancient Egyptians drew and modeled animals with great care based upon the observation of nature. Today, art classes are often seen at the Zoo painting and drawing from life.

Wildlife artists such as James Audubon have been instrumental in raising public awareness of endangered species. It is hoped that by focusing more attention on the wilder side of nature that the public will gain a greater awareness and appreciation for wildlife.