Tucked into the striking red-rock backdrop of Mt. Carmel, the Maynard Dixon Home & Studio stands as both a historic landmark and a vibrant arts destination, thanks to the vision and dedication of Paul and Susan Bingham. In 1998, the couple—Utah natives and respected fine-art dealers living in Northern California—purchased Dixon’s 47-acre estate and undertook the challenge of restoring it to its original glory.
Dixon, the celebrated American artist known for his bold depictions of the West, spent the final years of his life on the property, which includes his home, studio, bunkhouse, root cellar and burial site. Under the Binghams’ care, the site was added to the National Register of Historic Places, and the Thunderbird Foundation for the Arts was born. Its mission is to support living artists while honoring Dixon’s enduring legacy.
A few years later, the foundation expanded when the Binghams acquired adjacent land and built the Thunderbird Fine Art Gallery. Today, the gallery showcases works by top American landscape artists—both living and deceased—including Milford Zornes, another respected California painter and former owner of the Dixon home.
After Paul’s passing in 2022, Susan Bingham continued running the foundation and gallery and remains passionate about the area’s role in the arts. “Relocating to a rather remote area of Southern Utah has been one of the greatest decisions we ever made,” she says. “All who come here immediately realize why Dixon and his wife, artist Edith Hamlin, chose to make this their home. It’s a painting at every turn.”
Two upcoming events bring added energy to the property this summer. The WOW (Women Out West) Retreat returns June 18–20, bringing professional female artists from across Utah to paint, connect and celebrate community on the very grounds where Dixon once worked.
From June 30 to July 1, the Thunderbird Foundation partners with the Kanab City Library to host the Write Your Novel Workshop with author Elise Hooper. The two-day experience includes sessions at the library and a catered dinner and guided tour of the Dixon estate.
The Thunderbird Gallery is open Monday through Saturday, 10 AM–5 PM, and Sundays by appointment. To schedule a tour or register for events, visit our website or call 435-648-2653.
