Weekends in Bluff: Rock Art, Dark Skies, Plaster, and Art Fest

At DBU@Bluff, weekends matter. Visiting nearby sites and spending time with the culture and landscape of this place is a big part of where our students find design inspiration. Here is a look at this fall's weekends.

Walking Among the Rock Art

This year, our students went hiking with Carol Patterson, a local cultural anthropologist and archaeologist, who introduced them to the rock art of the region. She read the images on the rock like the pages of a picture book, sharing story after story along the way. It was a rare and valuable afternoon.

Dark Skies: The Scale of the Universe

At the Bears Ears Education Center, students learned about the land around Bluff. Later, the center hosted a dark sky observation on our campus, and everyone looked up, breathless at the scale of the universe. It is a view worth protecting for the next generation.

Plaster Carving: Revealing the Layer Beneath

Our students take on many hands-on experiences beyond the build. One weekend, as part of a materials class, they tried plaster carving: cutting away only the finish layer so the color beneath shows through as a pattern. Each student designed a pattern they wanted to leave in this place. Come see the finished work when you visit Bluff.

Bluff Art Fest

As it does every year, Bluff Art Fest, one of the most enjoyable events in town, came to Bluff. The festival takes place every year in mid-October. Several events were held on our campus, drawing local residents and visitors alike. Friday night was film night: we waited for dusk and enjoyed a lineup of wonderful films. Next year, plan a visit to Bluff during Art Fest.