A Museum To Be Built In Maynard Dixon's Honor
The Thunderbird Foundation for the Arts has recently announced plans to build a museum overlooking the Maynard Dixon summer home, studio and bunkhouse in Mt. Carmel, Utah. The Maynard Dixon Museum will honor the art and legacy of Maynard Dixon, and will include special areas of focus on the artwork of Dixon's third wife, Edith Hamlin and noted American watercolorist Milford Zornes. Careful architectural plans ensure the property's historical substance and natural landscape of the region will not be overshadowed. Also, as part of the Utah Historic Highway 89 Alliance, the new Museum will add cultural significance to the Southern Utah region and the greater American Southwest, providing an artistic viewpoint for area visitors.
 

Bob Kaczowka's concept model of the Maynard Dixon Museum to be built on the Dixon property grounds in Mt. Carmel, Utah

The Maynard Dixon Property History

In 1938, Maynard Dixon and his wife, Edith Hamlin, left San Francisco for the Southwest, an area they both loved and explored many times. In 1939, they built a log home along Utah's Highway 89 in the small Mormon community of Mt. Carmel, near Zion National Park. Attracted by the oasis of cottonwood trees, streams, magnificent vitas, colorful sandstone cliffs, and the area's celebrated cloud formations, they established their summer haven away from the Tucson heat May through October. Inspired by the area's landscape, the Dixons shared their lovely summer retreat with many artists and friends.

Maynard Dixon died in the Fall of 1946 at their home in Tucson, Arizona. At his request, Edith Hamlin took Maynard's ashes to Utah and buried them beneath a boulder on the hillside behind their home overlooking the mountains of Mt. Carmel. A bronze memorial engraved with his famous Thunderbird symbol marks the area where his ashes were buried. In 1947, Hamlin completed the construction of the studio, which had been planned prior to Maynard's death.

Edith Hamlin sold the property to the American watercolorist, Milford Zornes and his wife, Patricia in 1963. The two carried on the Dixons' artistic tradition through many studio workshops and artist retreats. In 1998, Zornes sold the entire property to Paul and Susan Bingham, who were longtime friends and agents of Edith Hamlin during their 25 years as California art dealers, specializing in Dixon's work. The Binghams, helped by local workers and contractors, carefully restored the land and buildings.

The Binghams recently donated an appropriate parcel of land overlooking the Dixon complex to the Thunderbird Foundation for the construction of the Maynard Dixon Museum.

Gifts to the Museum
The Thunderbird Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, is providing several opportunities to participate in the construction of the Maynard Dixon Museum. Gifts to The Foundation may be made in cash, securities, art, real estate, and other forms of personal property. Naming and memorial giving opportunities are available as well. Gifts may be made either unrestricted or directed specifically to the needs of the Museum or goals of the donor. Additionally, deferred giving options are available which may provide significant income and tax benefits to the donor(s).

Options for Giving: Donors may underwrite exhibitions, name public spaces and/or exhibition galleries (see below), contribute to the endowment, endow staff positions, sponsor openings, underwrite and support educational programming or sponsor special events. For a list of upcoming events that need funding, or to make a donation, please contact Denise Begué, Director, Thunderbird Foundation for the Arts.  You may also make a donation online by clicking here.