Marfa: the one-stoplight Texas town birthing a creative revolution
- Text by HUCK HQ
- Photography by Nathan Henry
There’s something happening in Marfa, Texas. Filmmaker Larry Clark caught whiff of the offbeat vibes and decided to set his teen drama Marfa there in 2012.
But in recent years, the tiny town in the middle of the desert has blown up to become a fully-fledged creative mecca.
Directed by Nathan Henry of ALCHEMYcreative, Marfa: This Must Be The Place gets under the skin of this unexpected artistic renaissance.
Artists have long been inspired by Marfa, but artist Donald Judd moved to the area in the early ’70s and bought up a group of buildings including the its abandoned military base, he helped kickstart a movement that has seen the town transformed.
Today, Marfa is a place where ranch hands live alongside experimental artists and huge outdoor art installations sit next to trailer parks.
With more and more artists finding refuge in the desert town, Marfa’s mythical status as a creative hotspot looks set to grow and grow.
Find out more about Marfa: This Must Be The Place.
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
You might like
In photos: Black Texas life since emancipation
Kinship & Community — A new photobook and exhibition showcases the rich culture, history and community of African American folks in the Lone Star State, whose existence in the region predates colonial Britain.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Inside Parkuir: the art project queering sport, space and our bodies
Lie and play — Founded by Maria Laudes and Guiu Gimeno, it provides a framework for engaging, subverting, and celebrating the small details that make people unique – and queer.
Written by: Molly Lipson
Youthful joy & end-of-era poignancy at a London school prom
Leavers — For several years, Lewis Khan documented young people as they celebrated the last of their school days and the completion of their exams. The series is now collated in a new self-published photobook and short film.
Written by: Zoe Whitfield
A major Nan Goldin exhibition is coming to London
You Never Did Anything Wrong — Opening at the Hayward Gallery in November, the show will debut a new film from the artist and activist, alongside a slate of recent work.
Written by: Jack Dennison-Thompson
Rab’s adventures on film at Love Trails Festival
Adventure Film Night — Taking place between July 2-6, Rab are screening six documentaries at the festival that explore the remarkable world of the adventure sport community.
Written by: Roxana Diba
Moshpits & kickflips at the Volcom Garden Experience 2026
Family affair — Last weekend, the skate, surf and snow culture brand hosted a free mini festival in its European backyard of Biarritz. We went along and chatted to legendary artist and surfer Ozzie Wright.
Written by: Isaac Muk
