goldwell open air museum

I was going to Rhyolite, the ghost town, and passed by this open-air public art museum. I consider this artwork to be very original, especially the "ghosts", with my favourite being the Ghost Rider (with bicycle). I returned one late afternoon after being in Death Valley and got some very good sunset shots - thus deleting all my other pix of these works that were taken in extreme sunlight. The little shop onsite was not open but brochures were available. I consider creative endevours to be highly important factors in our societies, so it is delightful to see this museum area. Rhyolite is fine too.

A unique one of a kind place. Weird artwork, The naked cinderblock lady, ghosts of the last supper and our fave the tiles sofa.

The other reviews say it all: "Odd," "Unique," "Kwirky." All true, but here's a way to have some fun: Toss a white bed sheet over your kids (or anyone else for that matter) and have them pose with the "Art work." It comes out way cool. I mean you don't see stuff like this every day. Cut it some slack and take it for what it's worth... about 7 minutes of your time. Remember: Art is in the eye of the beholder. Now, jump back in your vehicle and go explore Titus Canyon.

Located just south of Rhyolite Ghost Town on Rhyolite Road about 1 mile (1.6k) north of NV 374 (Daylight Pass Road in CA) between Death Valley and Beatty, NV; the Goldwell Open Air Museum is a collection of odd sculptures out in the middle of the desert. While not worth a special trip, its oddity alone makes it worth a stop and look around while going to or returning from the ghost town just to the north. There is a gift shop with quite limited hours which was closed while we visited; however, the grounds were still accessible, and admission is free for a walk among the sculptures. I found the evening light shortly before sunset attractive and effective for photography, as it brought out colors of what is otherwise bland and bleached colored desert terrain. If you are visiting from Death Valley, be sure to go the extra 4 miles (6.4k) to Beatty and fill-up your vehicle’s tank as gas is over $1 per gallon lower in cost than the cheapest in the National Park at Stovepipe Wells Village and more than $2 lower than at Furnace Creek.

Having those statues in such an inhospitable place with that magnificent view makes the detour worth wile

This very unusual collection of large outdoor sculptures combines the near total urbanity of Belgium with the sparse emptiness of Death Valley and provokes you to contemplate the nature of art, the nature of place, the geography of happen stance and the reason we travel. We have been to Death Valley and few times and this was truly engaging. The guy at the museum was a a delight. Knowledgeable and talented.

This is beside Rhyolite. We just about drove by thinking it was a private yard. The statues of the last supper are interesting bit overall the place was kind of spooky.

The museum is free. The number of exhibits is rather small but there are a few unusual pieces of art worth checking out. The pieces are unique in the sense that they are completely out of place near the entrance of Death Valley National Park. You will only need about 15 minutes to explore the Goldwell Open Air Museum.

Just past Beatty and before Death Valley is the turn off for the ghost town of Rhyolite. As you enter the town and off to your left are a few of the coolest sculptures I've ever enjoyed. The naked Lego lady is kind of odd but the prospector and his penguin and the specter sculptures are really worth seeing. There are a few additional pieces but , for me , "The Last Supper" and "Ghost Rider" really made an impact. It's free and it's just a couple minutes off the highway into Death Valley.

This is a collection of "art" just outside Death Valley. Some of the pieces are interesting but some are a bit "strange". it is just next to Rhyolite which is worth a visit but it is not wortha visit on its own.

I was not expecting to see something like this on the way to Rhyolite. The sculptures are a bit eerie and I had no idea why they were there. Tried to visit the museum to find out more about it but no one was there. Worth a visit. It is very odd and unique!

At the entrance to Death Valley lies this little gem in the desert. You can stay 5 minutes or 5 hours. Some have commented that it was boring while others find it utterly fascinating. I fall into the latter category. Not only did I explore the quirky pieces of art, I drove on into the ghost town of Rhyolite and then over to the cemetery and took some interesting photos. I went in February when the weather was perfect. I wouldn't recommend staying for hours in the heat of the summer, though, as it tends to get close to 100 and sometimes over.

This museum is located at the entrance to Rhyolite Ghost Town. It has some unusual art pieces outside. The "museum" is a combo sales office and studio that is quite small, but manned by an interesting gentleman who we assume is one of the artists. He had lots of information on the area and the pieces displayed. There are steep stairs into the museum, but you can wander the barren, desert grounds outside to see the art pieces.

This is on the way to Rhyolite and only takes a little time to walk around & look. If you like quirky art you will enjoy this!

Well the museum was a short diversion, but nothing to really look at. If it wasn't for the fact it is located on the Rhyolite access route, I am sure this place would receive no attention.