Thanks to the mighty efforts of artists, history lovers, and people who care deeply about rural life, Helper, Utah has transformed from a near‑abandoned coal mining town into a thriving arts destination that is on a path of rapid growth. It started more than thirty years ago, when David Dornan and Marilou Kundmueller bought the Hotel Utah building and began holding workshops. Other artists, like Ben Steele and Steven Lee Adams, followed and the town has grown into a thriving art colony.

The growth of this colony is on display every August during the Helper Arts Festival. From Thursday through Sunday last week, Main Street was filled with artisans, locals, and visitors from both nearby communities and Utah’s large urban centers. The energy was full of excitement and enthusiasm. The town felt alive in a way that showed how much the arts now shape Helper’s identity.

Helper’s galleries and small businesses also contributed to the weekend’s vibrancy. Shops such as Bug & Bird Mercantile vintage store and Kilpatrick Art Garage add to the town’s historic charm while giving it a fresh, contemporary feel. Many of the buildings feature Italian masonry, creating an unexpected architectural character that almost makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a small town in Italy.

Notable exhibitions and events this year included The Helper Mini with artworks by David Richey Johnson, the Mega Helper Mini Show curated by Kevin Perry, and the Helper En Plein Air Competition at the Helper Art Workshops building. Each of these experiences highlighted the range of creative voices that continue to shape Helper’s growing arts community.

Instead of passing through on your way to Moab, consider staying in Helper for a few days and get to know this fascinating town. Buy some art and local goods while you’re at it! Put next year’s Helper Arts Festival on your calendar and stay for the events so you don’t miss out on what very well may be the best kept secret in Utah.

Kasey Lou Lindley

Kasey Lou Lindley is an arts professional with formal training in fine arts, holding a BFA from Ringling College of Art and Design and an MFA from the University of Connecticut. She has written about contemporary arts and culture for Sarasota Visual Art and Art at Bay.