Do you have an idea about promoting art in Moab? If so, Moab City Arts and Special Events Manager Meg Stewart wants to hear from you.
One of Stewart’s goals at the MARC is to give more space and publicity to artistic endeavors, and to help the Moab community to be more involved in the arts, whether it’s taking a class, or attending an event such as Art Walk, which takes place during spring and fall months.
“We have a very vibrant, diverse arts community here,” Stewart said. “My job is to direct MARC, as well as innovate new art-related ideas to get the community involved, and get Moab on the map as an arts destination.”
Since Stewart started her job in late February, the MARC has begun hosting open mic nights on the first Friday of the month at 8 p.m. It’s an opportunity for locals and visitors to share their talents, and enjoy free entertainment.
Coming up at the MARC on Friday, May 20, is a special open mic event called Open Mind.
“It’s an evening of visual and performing arts in support of Mental Health Awareness Month,” Stewart said. “It’s an open mic for people to share what they like, relating to mental health.”
Stewart is seeking mental health-inspired artwork for the event.
Stewart, who will turn 28 in June, grew up on the East Coast, and attended Virginia Commonwealth University, where she earned a degree in video and animation.
She moved to Moab in October 2015 from San Francisco, where she lived for five years while working as a freelance graphic designer and videographer. She also worked for a nonprofit education organization doing web and graphic design, and marketing. After moving to Moab, she continued to work remotely, until deciding she wanted to be more involved with the town.
“I’m a very community-oriented person, so I quit my job,” Stewart said. “And then I found my dream job posted on the Moab city website.”
“I am so excited that she’s here,” said Rebecca McAllister, owner of Moab Made, 82 N. Main St. The new shop that opened on March 19 specializes in locally made and resourced art and artisan goods. Moab Made features works of 30 different local artists – artwork that includes fine art, greeting cards, jewelry and custom designed T-shirts.
“The perspective that Meg has is going to make MARC a much more actual thriving part of the artisan community,” McAllister said. “She did a phenomenal job launching the first Art Walk of the season (in April). It was alive, exciting; people were coming out of the woodwork. She had performing arts mixed in, a marching band, fire dancing. The MARC itself had different things going on – food, crafts for kids, multiple artists showing.”
The MARC is also hosting a number of unique art classes beginning in May. The offerings include classes in creating kaleidoscopes; building hula-hoops; Zen Tangles – a coloring class for adults; and a five-week improvisational workshop.
Arty-Farty is a kids’ art program that begins in June, combining recreation, creative movement and arts and crafts. Also in June, the MARC will be holding a poetry writing and performance workshop. For a full listing of classes from May through July, visit tinyurl.com/marc-summer-classes.
People interested in showing their artwork at the Open Mind event, or who would like to get involved otherwise, are encouraged to contact Stewart at mstewart@moabcity.org.
City’s new arts director seeks to give more voice to artistic endeavors
The perspective that Meg has is going to make MARC a much more actual thriving part of the artisan community.
What: Open Mind – an evening of visual and performing arts in support of Mental Health Awareness Month
Where: Moab Arts and Recreation Center, 111 E. 100 North
When: Friday, May 20, at 6 p.m.
Information: moab.openmind@gmail.com; 435-259-6272
