Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
And as for those New Yorkers: tiny, dusty Marfa has become a bit of a pilgrimage for
art lovers, thanks to one of the world's largest installations of minimalist art. This, in turn,
has attracted a disproportionate number of art galleries, quirky lodging options and inter-
esting restaurants. Throw in some mysterious lights that may or may not be aliens (OK,
probably not, but it's fun to pretend) and Marfa has become a majorly buzzed-about des-
tination.
Sights & Activities
Yep, it's small. One mile in any direction from the center of town, and you've just left
town. Also? Marfa is on its own schedule, which is pretty much made up according to
whim. Plan on coming late in the week or on a weekend, because more than half the
places you'll want to visit are closed early in the week.
If you didn't come to Marfa for the art, you might be surprised to find the amazing con-
centration of galleries in town. We're not talking about rustic cowboy art framed in barbed
wire and old barn wood. And we're not just talking about Donald Judd-esque minimal-
ism, either. The town has all sorts of art to explore, most of it contemporary; you can pick
up a list of galleries at the
visitor center
(
432-729-4942;
www.visitmarfa.com
;
302 S Highland Ave;
9am-5pm Mon-Fri & on event weekends)
.
Ballroom Marfa
( 432-729-3600;
www.ballroommarfa.org
;
108 E San Antonio; 10am-6pm Wed-Sat, to 3pm Sun)
Be sure to
find out what's happening at Ballroom Marfa, a nonprofit art space located in a former
dance hall. The focus is on offbeat, interesting projects, including film installations and
excellent monthly concerts. They're also working on an ambitious new project: a drive-in
theater and outdoor venue slated for 2015.
GALLERY
Chinati Foundation Museum
( 432-729-4362;
www.chinati.org
;
1 Calvary Row; adult/student $25/10; by guided tour only 10am & 2pm
Wed-Sun)
This is it. This is what all the fuss is about. Minimalist artist Donald Judd single-
handedly put Marfa on the art-world map when he created the Chinati Foundation on the
site of a former army post, using the abandoned buildings to create and display one of the
world's largest permanent installations of minimalist art.
This is great news if you like minimalist art. But the tour draws equal numbers of
people who look like they're gazing upon works of genius and people who look like
MUSEUM
