Maynard Dixon
Maynard Dixon Home and Studio – Off the Beaten Path
By Dixie Brunner
“At last I shall give myself to the desert again, that I am its golden dust,” wrote western artist Maynard Dixon, a few years prior to his death. The desert was Dixon’s first love, as evidenced by his work. Dixon painted western life for over fifty years. Through paintings, murals, drawings and illustrations he epitomized the beauty and grandeur of its deserts, mountains, canyons and valleys and recorded the life of its Indians and its settlers. He dedicated his life and art to celebrate the American West. When the famed artist sought serenity in 1939, it was in Mt. Carmel where Dixon settled. He and wife Edith Hamlin built a summer home and studio in a peaceful setting among cottonwood trees along a stream. The couple’s dream was to create a peaceful place where they could work on their art, and invite artist friends to partake in the beauty of the Utah landscape. The Maynard Dixon Home and Studio still stands today, and is committed to Dixon’s original goal of fostering a new generation of artistic creativity. The Thunderbird Foundation for the Arts is a non-profit foundation whose mission includes the preservation and maintenance of the Dixon home and property in Mt. Carmel. The property, placed on the National Register of Historic Places, is an integral stop on the Heritage Highway. The Dixon home and studio is an important destination for visiting artists to enjoy the beauty and spirit. It’s where great painters and sculptors, writers and photographers have gone for retreats and inspiration for over 60 years. The Bingham Gallery, next door to the property, opened a couple years ago, and features incredible works of art from Maynard Dixon, Jack Hillers and others. Property tours are conducted by appointment only and scheduled daily. There are also special events planned throughout the year, so e-mail or call to get a schedule. Maynard Dixon Country runs August 22-26 this year. For more information, please call 435-648-2653 or check out their website at www.maynarddixon.com.
Bingham Galley's new building in Mt. Carmel is also home to the Thunderbird Foundation. Paul Bingham hopes that the property will eventually be the site of a Maynard Dixon Museum.
