The people and landscapes of the Colorado Plateau
An exhibition exploring the enduring connection between people and the landscapes of the Colorado Plateau opens January 25 at the Museum of Northern Arizona. Through visual art, sound, and scent, “Call of the Colorado Plateau” highlights how the region has inspired artists, writers and explorers for generations.
“Call of the Colorado Plateau” encourages visitors to slow down and engage their senses in an environment designed to evoke the experience of being in the wilds. The exhibit incorporates paintings, photographs, sound, sandstone and multisensory installations that create a layered encounter with the natural world.
The exhibition begins with “Observation Station: From the Rim,” a semicircle of synchronized iPhones displaying a collage of family vacation videos. Created by Flagstaff artist David Politzer, the work examines how mobile technology and “selfie culture” alter the ways people experience and document nature. Visitors are then invited to set aside their own devices and enter the exhibition with heightened awareness.
Large-scale artworks convey the scale and intricacy of the plateau’s landscape. Merrill Mahaffey’s “Havasu Redwall” captures the minute details of canyon walls, while Stephen Auger’s “Luna Vishnu Schist” explores the interaction of color, light, and perception. Other works, including those by Gunnar Widforss and Mary-Russell Ferrell Colton, underscore how artists became captivated with the beauty of the plateau.
“Call of the Colorado Plateau” also references John Wesley Powell, who explored and mapped the Colorado and Green Rivers in 1869; Harvey Butchart, known for his extensive treks in the Grand Canyon; and artist-adventurer Everett Ruess, who disappeared in southern Utah in the 1930s. Their writings and actions reflect an enduring human fascination with remote and rugged landscapes.
Recordings from national parks, along with the aroma of sagebrush and juniper, evoke the plateau’s natural environment, rounding out the multisensory experience.
The Colorado Plateau is a high-desert region covering about 130,000 square miles across the Four Corners area of Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. It’s celebrated for a striking variety of landscapes and cultures, and its rock layers preserve one of the most complete records of Earth’s history. Located in Flagstaff on the plateau’s southern edge, the Museum of Northern Arizona serves as a welcoming starting point for learning about the region.
“Call of the Colorado Plateau” is on view in the museum’s Lockett Gallery January 25, 2026, through January 3, 2027. A museum members preview event is set for January 31.
About the Museum of Northern Arizona
Founded in 1928, the Museum of Northern Arizona (MNA) preserves and celebrates the natural and cultural heritage of the Colorado Plateau. Through its exhibitions, educational programs, research, and community events, the museum fosters a deeper understanding of the region’s art, science, and people.
Located near the foot of the San Francisco Peaks at 3101 N Fort Valley Road in Flagstaff, the museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours until 7 p.m. on Thursdays.
For information about current exhibitions and programs, visit https://musnaz.org.
