What is an Art Environment?
An art environment is a place where one person’s imagination transforms a landscape into a unique, immersive experience. Instead of creating individual artworks such as paintings or sculptures, the creator shapes buildings, pathways, gardens, and structures so the entire place becomes a work of art. Often built slowly over many years—sometimes over a lifetime—these environments grow piece by piece as new ideas take form. Many are created by self-taught makers who use everyday or unexpected materials to shape spaces filled with personal meaning.
Art environments are meant to be experienced as a whole. Their significance lies not only in the individual structures but in the way the many elements of the site work together to create a place unlike any other.
Valley of the Moon is one of these rare places. Beginning in the early 1920s, creator George Phar Legler transformed a simple desert site into a magical landscape of caves, towers, winding paths, and storybook settings designed to spark imagination and kindness in children and families. Today, Valley of the Moon continues to welcome visitors much as Legler intended. Its national significance as an artist-built environment is recognized through membership in the Artist-Built Environment Network (ABEN) and as an affiliate of Historic Artists’ Homes & Studios, a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Special Gift exclusively for Valley of the Moon Preservation Fans
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Check out how LiDAR imaging can help us plan restoration by accurate imaging of the challenges. Here is a demonstration of the Cathedral Room which needs repair due to the concrete roof's leaks and sagging. LiDAR by Brian Hope
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Save Valley of the Moon's Historic Structures!
We have made great progress in protecting our beloved Wizard Zogog's Tower. With the help of Southwestern Foundation for Education and Historic Preservation we were able to stabilize the second floor of the wizard's tower, repair roof leaks reinforce the Magic Stairs and address erosion. We had been concerned it wouldn't last through another monsoon. Just after the project was completed, a powerful windstorm hit us and blew over a new storage unit, but the Tower of Zogog proudly came through without damage. What a relief! There is more work to be done before that structure is done, but we are moving on to the next and final endangered building for urgent repairs
The Cathedral Room or First Spiritualist Church of Tucson
The Cathedral Room, built in 1923, is the first structure created at Valley of the Moon. Its remarkable concrete sloping roof is in urgent need of attention. One of the steps of its staicase down to the Caves of Thor is crumbling, forcing us to close the stairs. We have worked with Kegan Tom of The Architect Company and have an exciting plan to install a well-designed truss to support the roof with a flair in keeping with the feel of this wonderful building. When stabilizing this building we will open a bricked-up doorway which will allow folks using wheelchairs in to feel the cobblestone floor beneath their wheels. It is going to be fabulous! But expensive. We are embarking on fundraising again. We are encouraged that all of the other areas have been stabilized and this is the final complex that is at immediate risk. If you can help, please make a donation.
COMING SOON:
Preservation Work Day
Next History Guardian Gathering is May 10.
Preservation Work Day
Next History Guardian Gathering is May 10.
