About the Maynard Dixon Home & Studio

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Maynard Dixon's historic studio (above) and home (below) on the Thunderbird Foundation grounds in Mt. Carmel, Utah
Maynard Dixon home

History

In 1938, Maynard Dixon and his wife, Edith Hamlin, left San Francisco for the Southwest, an area they both loved and had 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 vistas, 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 property was featured in the June, 2001 issue of Architectural Digest and the Binghams were honored by the Utah Heritage Foundation in 2001 for Excellence in Cultural Preservation. The property is also on the National Register of Historic Places.

In the spirit of Dixon, Hamlin and Zornes, the property remains a retreat. The Thunderbird Foundation encourages and expects excellence from those individuals who are invited to Mt. Carmel to make art. By maintaining the architectural integrity and protecting the surrounding environment, future generations can always experience the Mt. Carmel Dixon loved.

Places to Stay

Tours

Between May and October, volunteers are on hand to give tours at the Maynard Dixon studio and home in Mt. Carmel, Utah.

Come to Southern Utah and see the home that Maynard Dixon and his wife Edith built, walk the mountain trails where Dixon spent quiet, reflective moments, and experience beautiful views that are called "Maynard Dixon Country."

Tours are $20 per person and must be scheduled in advance. A light lunch and soft drinks are also available for $10. To make a reservation, please contact the Maynard Dixon Home and Studio in Mt. Carmel.