Zooming straight away from my bed and breakfast in Bisbee to Douglas, Arizona is a short half hour ride out of the mountains and relatively easy to find at the newish location of Art Car World at 450 E. 8th St. Street, Douglas, AZ 85607. I met up with Harrod Blank, the brains and brand behind the mission outside and he was excited to share his master plans with me.
Harrod has that kind of personality that you immediately take to, or maybe I did because we both have that one parent was all business and the other a hippy background. Regardless, we were fast friends and I could have spent hours talking about his endless adventures around the world. He’s making it his life’s mission to create a space for all the freaks and weirdos from Burning Man to gather and endlessly celebrate art. I’m so down to share his preview story being one myself!
You’ve certainly seen these cars on the interwebs or social media. Fully decked out in whatever medium the artist and owner has in mind, they are hard to miss especially on the road. Talk about getting whiplash! Harrod is creating a museum dedicated to the celebrate and preserve these moments in history a mere minutes from the Mexican border. Currently under construction and Harrod was hesitant on giving an opening date (the website says Sept. 24 to December 31, 2021 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.), Art Car World will feature a permanent collection of 42 popular art cars with some more on a rotating exhibition. Currently open by appointment only, the museum will be bilingual with international festivities planned.
Harrod Blank stands under the Art Car World building he is remodeling. When lit up at night, this is quite a sight to see!A close up of the front sign for Art Car World which Harrod Blank designed himself.Harrod shows plans for the future across the street. He will be designing a huge robot looking structure with arms like tentacles. We can’t wait to see it!Inside the building, you can see all the natural light that pours in at Art Car World.Not one detail is missed at Art Car World. Harrod takes great pride in making sure quality is everywhere including the metal ceiling.A moment in time where Harrod is looking a lot like Mark Cuban here in Art Car World.Harrod’s car is getting some work done as someone hit it on the highway… while being towed at Art Car World.Let’s not forget the hood ornament at Art Car World. We’re loving the skull and giant rooster!Not cars but Copper V8 and Copper Motorcycle are the first thing I see when I enter the unfinished gallery at Art Car World.The Rocket Bike at Art Car World which is tempting to climb on!Much like playing the game of memory, this one escapes me at Art Car World.Obviously someone after my cat lady heart at Art Car World. Meow!This one is giving Griswold’s family vacation vibes, the bling edition at Art Car World.Edith at Art Car World looking fully decked out.Getting golden and totally bedazzled at Art Car World.The owls are watching you at Art Car World and watch out for incoming owls!Plaidmobile at Art Car World and no, that’s not Spiderman… it’s a woman!Side view of Plaidmobile at Art Car World.Looking like tons of 80’s toys all over this bad boy at Art Car World.Terminator vibes or post apocalyptic at Art Car World.The Jewel Box named for obvious reasons was a shrine to a special lady at Art Car World.The California Fantasy Van is covered in metal and weighs over 10,000 pounds at Art Car World.Made by a USA veteran, the Cold Mobile was a form of therapy at Art Car World.For photography lovers, the Camera Van has old school MTV vibes at Art Car World.This one was adorned with things found in the trash at Art Car World.The Wrought Iron VW is a stunner at Art Car World.Miss Vicky is almost cartoon looking at Art Car World.Mondrian Mobile at Art Car World was made in satire and then blew up in fame.Duke feels like it’s miles high at Art Car World.Then we get into the jam-packed part of the garage at Art Car World. When all finished, some of these will be hanging on the walls!Desert Marlin certainly has all the Arizona vibes you could ever want including rocks, snakes and cactus at Art Car World.I was immediately drawn to the Cathedral at Art Car World and its goth vibes!The front of the Cathedral at Art Car World.The Land Yacht at Art Car World.Dark Ride at Art Car World having all the zombie vibes.Taking monster truck to a whole new level is Stumper at Art Car World.Glass Quilt at Art Car World was painstaking getting stained glass to curve around those edges.True story at Art Car World!Some signs never go out of style at Art Car World.Then it was upstairs above the gallery to the hostel style space at Art Car World.Up the stairs through the wooden doors at Art Car World.The dining room and kitchen space all completely remodeled at Art Car World.The communal living room space at Art Car World.Out on the front patio overlooking Douglas at Art Car World.On the front patio, his mother’s artwork and ode to her at Art Car World. We’re feeling like that star symbol above it closely resembles the Explore logo!The back patio at Art Car World where they will have concerts and movie nights.One of the bedrooms for rent for a wicked good deal at Art Car World.Harrod’s father adorns the floor in the kitchen at Art Car World.In one of the many bathrooms for guests, Harrod did not cut corners with this beautiful replica at Art Car World.So we could sit and chat a spell, Harrod insisted on treating for lunch at El Pato with the fire burrito with shrimp. It was cheesy and filling!And of course some horchata rocket fuel to keep me going all day long!
From the website, “The non-profit museum will be built in several phases over the next three years, and will open its doors to the public in the fall of 2023. Become a part of Art Car World as a donor who will be listed on the web site via the Heroes page or may remain anonymous by request. All donations are tax deductible as Art Car World is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The necessary written substantiation (receipt of donation) will be returned for all charitable donations of over $250.” Visit Art Car World to learn more and visit Harrod Blank‘s website to learn more about him. We look forward to returning when it’s all finished or maybe beforehand too!
