In Memoriam: Artist Ed Mell

Artist Ed Mell, who passed away on February 21, 2024, depicted our desert southwest unlike anyone else.

Rather than overly sentimentalizing or romanticizing it, he managed to capture its true, unique essence.

“Think of driving through an area like Monument Valley,” he once said. “Later … you won’t remember details, but you will have a lasting impression of the forms, colors, and, especially, the mood.”

Mell certainly leaves a lasting impression on the art world, and on all who have the opportunity to experience his spellbinding work. The UAMA is proud to count one of his paintings among our permanent collection.

Ed Mell, Cloud Canyon I [detail], Oil on linen, Museum purchase with funds provided by the Edward J. Gallagher, Jr. Memorial Fund