BEEC Exhibit: Ute Mountain Ute Perspectives on Conserving the Dolores River Canyons

Bears Ears Education Center is honored to display the exhibit “Ute Mountain Ute Perspectives on Conserving the Dolores River Canyons” for the month of August, in partnership with Dolores River Boating Advocates and Ute Mountain Ute artists. 

This exhibit showcases a variety of visual art mediums created by artists of many generations, including a centerpiece by artist Lauana Morris. Morris, a member of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe residing in White Mesa, Utah, is an artist with the 100 Years of Silence/A’nuche Project, and the Recreation Director for her community. She graciously agreed to design and lead a multi-media project intended to bring young Ute Mountain Ute artists back to the lands surrounding the Dolores River, providing a sacred space to be "unplugged" and deeply connected to their heritage. 

The art in this exhibit, which has been making the rounds across the Bears Ears region, was inspired by the Dolores River Canyons from Rico, Colorado down to the confluence with the San Miguel River. Participating artists were able to take a series of field trips over several months to gather details from the landscape to inform their art, including camping, and an EcoFlight trip. 

The exhibit will be available for viewing August 6-31. The Bears Ears Education Center is open Thursday–Monday, 9am-4pm, located at 567 W. Main St, Bluff, UT 84512. 

This exhibit is available for free, thanks to generous donations. Consider supporting educational programming such as this exhibit with a donation to Bears Ears Partnership, which operates the Bears Ears Education Center (BEEC). The BEEC provides visitors with information, resources, and education to visit the cultural and natural spaces of Bears Ears National Monument respectfully. In addition to exhibits, the BEEC hosts numerous guest speakers throughout the year, and our Education Program provides all-ages place-based education across the Bears Ears region.