Tomorrow

Exhibit

Our (Future) Story Will Be…

Our ability to foresee the future depends on our understanding of past events, actions, and inactions. The Moab region has evolved from the dry farming practices of Native Americans, into the farming and ranching economy created by Euro- American settlers, into a major mining economy, and finally, into today’s tourist economy. What is the next economic evolution for the Moab region?

Like many communities in a desert landscape and environment, the Moab region is experiencing population growth, lack of affordable housing, substantial increase of visitation to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, increase recreational use of the landscape such as rafting, mountain biking, hiking, and equestrian riders. All these activities including farming, ranching, and mining change the landscape, stress the ecological balance, and affect limited water resources. After all, we do live in a high and dry desert.

Why are we attracted to live in such a harsh and difficult environment? Is it the breathtaking beauty and majesty of the landscape? Is it the bountiful natural resources needed to sustain our economies and create our technologies? People have lived in this desert highland for centuries, moving about, building magnificent and sophisticated structures and communities only to abandon them. Why?

The Future: Visions + Voices of Grand County Children

We believe that a sense of place emerges through knowledge of our history, geography, geology, flora and fauna — often told through stories, legends, and art. Since today’s children will play a large role in shaping the region’s future, we invited Grand County School students to envision the future of this place they call home. More specifically, students were asked to demonstrate through their art how they think the landscape and environment will shape them and their future: What will it look and feel like? What will it sound like? How will it grow and change during your lifetime?

We’re grateful that Middle School teacher Alina Murdock and Helen M. Knight Elementary School teacher Bruce Hucko offered their students the opportunity to share their visions of Moab’s future with us — and that both offered their students guidance and support.