Western Outdoor Times - Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!

The Desert View Watchtower has launched a cultural-demonstrator series. The series provides park visitors the opportunity to interact with members of Grand Canyon National Park's Traditionally Associated Tribes and for the artisans to share their history and crafts. The demonstrations are possible with grants from Grand Canyon Association and ArtPlace America.

Starting off the series was Hopi sculptor Evelyn Fredericks. Next, Jewelers, silversmiths, weavers, potters, sculptors, and more are scheduled every weekend this autumn through Saturday, Oct. 24 from 9 am to 4 pm. The demonstrations, free and open to the public, will continue on the weekends after October 24 as staffing allows.

Visitors to Desert View between now and October 8 may not be able to ascend to the top of the Watchtower, as conservators work to prevent further damage to historic murals painted on the walls. The ArtPlace America grant is also helping with this important step to preserve the paintings and the stories they tell.

Desert View Watchtower

For more information about the ArtPlace America grant, please visit http://www.nps.gov/grca/learn/news/desert-view-tribal-heritage-grant.htm. The grant will further arts and culture at Grand Canyon National Park by transforming Desert View into a place to celebrate, share, and learn about inter-tribal cultural heritage.

To learn more about Grand Canyon Association, the official nonprofit partner of Grand Canyon National Park, visit http://www.grandcanyon.org.

Desert View is the eastern entrance into Grand Canyon National Park. It is located on the South Rim approximately 45 minutes east of Grand Canyon Village. To plan your visit to Desert View, go to http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/placestogo.htm.

For more information on the cultural demonstrator series, please contact Park Ranger Sylvia Tran at (928) 638-7968.