Gravity and Water: Mark Making in a Winter’s Desert with Anne Kaferle
Finding Helper at a time when she “needed it the most,” landscape artist Anne Kaferle has put down roots in Utah, thanks to plein-air painting and the healing power of time alone in the landscape.
"One of the biggest draws for Utah travelers is the quest to find solitude in nature, away from the sprawl of buildings, in the quiet of wilderness."
Anne Kaferle at work in Torrey
The Serendipity of a Quiet Place To Live
“It’s got a really gentle pace of life. You’re surrounded by more natural sort of rhythms,” she says of Helper, the cadence of her voice seeming to match the deep pulse of the earth as we speak over the phone. (Read: “Turning Carbon Into Culture.”)
Walking outside in Helper, you’re surrounded by the wild, she says. The town’s Main Street boosts an iconic Western look and feel, with 2,000-foot cliffs in view to the north. A river runs through the middle of town, offering a relaxing place to walk along an easy trail, with river restoration projects drawing people in to swim and float during the warmer months.
With a slower pace of living, it becomes easier to focus on art and expression. And with a nurturing environment of fellow artists, many of whom have purchased old buildings on Main Street and converted them into art galleries, it makes sense that this environment would cultivate and support many creative spirits. (Read: “Utah Female Artists Explore the Sublime Through Art.”)
Main Street in Helper
Photo: Andrew Burr
"If there’s one thing I really want to encourage people to do, it’s to get to know your own little spot in the world. Find the spot that makes you feel the most connected to the landscape."
– Artist Anne Kaferle
Hiking Hickman Bridge Trail in Capitol Reef National Park
What's Nearby
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Helper
Settled in 1881, Helper was named after the team of “helper” coal-powered steam engines that assisted freight trains up the neighboring canyon and over Soldier’s Summit; the city was created because of and for the coal industry. Though the tracks are still integral in the town’s DNA and even more-so, history, its identity has changed.
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Hickman Bridge and Navajo Knobs
Hickman Bridge and Navajo Knobs are two of the most popular hikes in Capitol Reef National Park. Learn all about them here and plan a hike now!
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Price
Price sits close to the northern section of the San Rafael Swell, which is home to vast deserts, yawning canyons, and fascinating rock formations. The area is known for its coal mining, as well as its recreational opportunities.
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San Rafael Swell
San Rafael hikes and bike rides offer unique terrain and jaw-dropping scenery. Learn about the area’s trails and start planning your trip!
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Torrey
Torrey's proximity to Capitol Reef National Park, the mountains of Fishlake and Dixie National Forests, Scenic Byway 12: Utah's All-American Road, sublime desert landscapes to trout-filled alpine lakes, make Torrey an outdoor lover's perfect hub for some of the most spectacular scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities in the state.
Discover More
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A Walking Tour of Helper, Utah
Guarded by the 18-foot fiberglass coal miner "Big John" and hugged by railroad tracks, Helper, Utah, is a historic town with blue-collar roots that has grown into a walkable epicenter of art and culture with easy access to trails and river recreation.
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Resiliency Road Trip
The emergence of small Utah towns like Moab and Helper offer an inspiring backdrop for a road trip focused on reinvention.
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Turning Carbon Into Culture
Helper, UT has a future, and it is one built by the community, through hard work, love for place and a touch of serendipity.
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Where to See Women's Art in Utah
There’s no shortage of art galleries in Salt Lake City and across Utah's Wasatch Front. Beyond the major metropolitan areas, there are also small artist communities across the state where artists seeking a slower pace have flocked for decades. Here are a few recommendations for where you can experience art in Utah.
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Women in the Wild: Transformation and the Outdoors
Paula Colman joins a weekend retreat for women in Moab, Utah, that has an eye-catching mission: Build your tribe. Connect with your inner spirit. Transform body, mind and spirit around the theme: “Ignite the Flame Within.” Follow along as she seeks her authentic self and learn how to find your own Tribe.
