What a wondrous, magical, and mysterious place! Definitely one of my most favorite places in the world. I visited this town in August 2013 and have plans to go back soon.
Lucas is a town of 400 set amongst the moors and plains or rural Kansas. The official Grassroots Art Capital of Kansas, this town is a MECCA for outsider art and craft with a fascinating history. I first learned about S.P. Dinsmoor's Garden of Eden when I was in college and I bought a book on concrete art. I love outdoor sculpture, particularly mosaic and concrete figurative sculptures and have some half-attempts at creating a sculpture garden in my backyard. Anyway, when I was in college, I promised myself I would go visit this place. Then one day I woke up and realized THAT 12 YEARS HAD PASSED! So, I pretty much just got in the car and just drove there. It's only a 4.5 hour drive from OKC. (Compared to 12 years, 4.5 hours is nothing....sheesh!)
Learning about S.P. Dinsmoor and seeing his extraordinary home made me think that he and I could be good friends. What a lively, bizarre and rebellious character! He was a Civil War veteran and his youngest son (who was still alive at the time of my visit) was a WWI and WWII veteran. The lady who gave me a tour of the Garden of Eden is actually the niece of S.P. Dinsmoor's son. Dinsmoor moved to Lucas and constructed the historic home out of limestone. Here is something fascinating: he did not even create the sculptures that surround and hover over the home until HE WAS 65 YEARS OLD! And he did this with the most basic of tools (which are on display in the tool shed). Keep this in mind the next time you think you are too old to try something. I am not going to tell the whole story about S.P. Dinsmoor. You should hear it onsite.
In addition to the Garden of Eden, the town has a few other unique art spaces. The Grassroots Art Center is a great place to start. The tour guide there took me to some other nearby spots.
When I arrived into town, the very first place I went was The Flying Pig Studio, which is the studio and gallery space for Eric Abraham. This sweet man greeted me at the door and showed me his whimsical porcelain sculptures. He was such a charmer! He told me his whole life story and even showed me the paintings and drawings of his mother. He was so proud of his work, and I loved visiting with him and learning about his artwork. A few weeks later, I got a call from someone in Lucas who let me know that Eric had passed away. I felt both saddened by this news but also so grateful that I had the opportunity to meet him.
When you go: Get lunch at the Brant's Meat Market. I recommend staying overnight in the nearby town of Wilson. There is a charming Midland Railroad Hotel that has a nice restaurant on site. Wilson Lake is close by and it is quite nice if you enjoy outdoor activities. It's the perfect place if you love looking out into endless wild prairie and big sky.
The art work of Mri-Pilar. I want to meet this interesting lady. She repurposes plastic dolls into spiritual effigies.
Looking up at the Garden of Eden.
Outdoor sculpture is everywhere.
So much...just, like...everything and all quirky and beautifully crazy, like 100%.
Walking into the Garden of Eden...what an entrance!
A sculpture made from things drained from the bottom of a lake.
Eric Abraham posing with his lovely porcelain art. What a lively spirit!
Eric with his mother's artwork.
