Art Guild To Honor Bunnell

By CHARLENE PAUL

Moapa Valley Progress

The Moapa Valley Art Guild will present a reception honoring local artist, teacher and Guild founder, Max Bunnell on Saturday, March 9 from 12:30- 2 p.m. The reception will be held in the Old Logandale School at 3011 N. Moapa Valley Boulevard in Logandale.

The reception will be the final event in a two-day exhibit that will feature a variety of Bunnell’s works created over his long career. The exhibit will be held on Friday and Saturday in the great hall of the Old Logandale School.

“In the 60 years since he founded the Moapa Valley Art Guild, Bunnell has never been given his own show,” event organizer Jana Ward said. “We thought it was extra appropriate to have a single-person show.”

Beginning in 1954, Bunnell taught art to junior high and high school students in Moapa Valley. He also taught for many years on the college level at Dixie College in St. George, Utah.
“We have the most wonderful stories from his students,” Ward said. “He has touched so many lives. If he didn’t teach someone to paint, he taught them to appreciate art.”

There will be over 40 pieces of Bunnell’s work on display at the exhibit.
“Choosing which pieces to display was just a joy,” Ward said. “His daughter Edith Ann Luce was so helpful. The pieces that were chosen are spectacular.”

Nearly everyone in the community has something to say about Max Bunnell.
“He has had a bigger impact on the community than he knows,” Ward said. “His fingerprints are everywhere.”

A simultaneous exhibition of Moapa Valley Art Guild member artwork will be held on-site, demonstrating the continuing success of Bunnell’s undertaking 60 years ago. There will also be a memory board at the reception where people can add their stories about Bunnell.

“Max’s influence far exceeds teaching one to paint,” Ward said. “His influence is far-reaching, and his talent is unmatched. We hope everyone will attend.”