Exploring Desert Art Program Innovation at the Goldwell Open Air Museum

Welcome back to another episode of the Outdoor Adventure Series! Today, Our journey continues at the Goldwell Open Air Museum, located just a few miles west of Beatty, Nevada—a place filled with history, art, and the stunning scenery of the Amargosa Valley. Joining us are two passionate board members, Zoë Camper and Nichole Hanson, who share their experiences living in the desert, their connection to the unique outdoor art installations (including the famous "Ghosties"), and the ongoing efforts to preserve and promote this incredible site. We’ll hear about their backgrounds, the museum's programming, and the quirky charm that keeps visitors coming back—whether it’s for the art, the history, or just to relax on the museum porch and soak in the desert landscape. Get ready for stories of community, unexpected encounters, and the magic that happens where art meets the wild Nevada outdoors. DISCUSSION 1. Guest Introductions ● Introduction of Zoë Camper as a board member and artist ● Introduction of Nichole Hanson as a board member 2. Personal Backgrounds and Connection to the Museum ● Zoë discusses her move to the U.S. and connection to Las Vegas ● Nichole shares her background from Salt Lake City and move to Las Vegas 3 Introduction to Goldwell’s Artwork ("The Ghosties") ● Howard and Nichole discuss the sculptures known as “the Ghosties” ● Nichole explains her path to joining the Goldwell board, encouraged by Zoë 4. Significance and Experience of the Goldwell Open Air Museum ● Nichole describes her enchanting first visit and deeper appreciation for the area's history and art ● Zoë elaborates on the process of integrating with the local community and developing programming 5. Educational and Community Programming ● Zoë discusses the importance of listening to local input before acting ● Her background as a certified guide in London and application to Goldwell ● Details on educational programs, guided walks, artist residency program, and artists' wall ● The visitor center’s regular operation and increasing international visitors 6. Personal Discovery and Regional Appeal ● Zoë and Howard share their first encounters with Goldwell and the nearby region ● Mention of photography meetups and the unique desert atmosphere 7. Marketing, Branding, and Signage Initiatives ● Nichole on transitioning skills from commercial marketing to nonprofit tourism and branding ● Efforts to differentiate Goldwell from Rhyolite ghost town ● Work on updated signage funded by a Travel Nevada grant ● Anecdote about burros interacting with the new sign 8. Vision for the Future of the Museum ● Howard prompts about long-term goals for the museum ● Zoë emphasizes preservation of art and landscape ● Engagement with specialists for environmental surveying and sculpture safety ● Desire to maintain community connections and educational outreach 9. Facilities and Visitor Experience ● Discussion of the visitor center, art displays, history, and merchandise (T-shirts, etc.) ● Importance of creating storytelling experiences for visitors ● Zoë explains the appeal of wandering the grounds and discovering the local landscape and history 10. Stories, Folklore, and Local Color ● Zoë and Nichole share quirky local stories and fables that emerge from spending time at the museum ● Reflection on the unique passage of time and the peaceful experience of the Amargosa Valley 11. Additional Resources and How to Learn More ● Zoë shares her website for listeners to view her art: zoecamper.com ● Nichole provides the Goldwell Open Air Museum website and social media handles LEARN MORE Goldwell Open Air Museum: https://www.goldwellmuseum.org/ Facebook:   / goldwell-open-air-museum-51115761339   Instagram:   / goldwellmuseum   Rhyolite: https://travelnevada.com/ghost-town/r... Beatty Museum & Historical Society: http://www.beattymuseum.org/ Travel Nevada: https://travelnevada.com/ Nevada Arts Council: https://www.nvartscouncil.org/ ZoëCamper.Com: https://zoecamper.com/ NEXT STEPS Visit us at https://outdooradventureseries.com to like, comment, and share our episodes. KEYWORDS Zoë Camper, Nichole Hanson, Goldwell Open Air Museum, Desert Art, Nevada Art, Beatty Chamber of Commerce, Rhyolite, Travel Nevada, Nevada Arts Council, Outdoor Adventure Series, Podcast Interview #ZoëCamper #NicholeHanson #GoldwellOpenAirMuseum #DesertArt #NevadaArt #BeattyChamberofCommerce #Rhyolite #TravelNevada #NevadaArtsCouncil #OutdoorAdventureSeries #PodcastInterview