A Field Guide to Marfa Visitors

An entirely unscientific guide to the people you'll encounter in the high desert.

Marfa attracts artists, adventurers, photographers, stargazers, minimalists, maximalists, and occasionally someone who took a wrong turn and decided to stay for the weekend.

After enough conversations over coffee, we've identified several common species that seem to migrate through the desert on a regular basis.

While every visitor believes they're having a completely unique experience, we've noticed some remarkably consistent patterns.

For science, we've documented them here.

The Judd Pilgrim

Distinguishing Characteristics

Knows exactly why they're here.Has read at least one book about Donald Judd.Uses phrases like "relationship between object and space."Arrived with a carefully planned itinerary.

Behavior

Can spend 45 minutes contemplating a single installation while appearing completely motionless. Often leaves having taken fewer photos than anyone else in their group.

Favorite Phrase

"The scale is really important."

The Gallery Hopper

Distinguishing Characteristics

Knows about an opening before most locals.Has a map with circles drawn all over it. Somehow always knows where the next artist talk is happening. Says things like, "Have you seen the new show yet?"

Behavior

Arrives with a carefully curated list of galleries to visit. By the end of the weekend, that list has doubled thanks to recommendations from strangers, baristas, and someone they met while looking at art. Can comfortably spend an entire afternoon wandering from gallery to gallery while convincing themselves they're "just popping in for a minute."

Favorite Phrase

"There's one more place I want to show you."This statement is almost never accurate.

Natural Habitat

A converted building with excellent lighting and an artist you've never heard of but will absolutely be discussing over dinner later.

Special Ability

Can look at an empty room with a single object in it and confidently say: "Interesting."Without further explanation.

The Accidental Tourist

Distinguishing Characteristics

Saw a photo of Prada Marfa on Instagram.

Booked a trip shortly thereafter.Is still slightly unclear about what Marfa actually is.

Behavior

Arrives expecting a roadside attraction.

Leaves wondering whether they should learn pottery, buy a film camera, or move into an adobe house.

Favorite Phrase

"Wait... that's it?"Usually followed two hours later by: "Okay, I get it now."Two days later, they don't want to leave.

The Stargazer

Distinguishing Characteristics

Owns more astronomy apps than most people own apps.

Knows what a Bortle rating is.

Casually mentions galaxies during dinner.

Behavior

Spends all day preparing for nighttime.

Spends all night outside.

Spends the next morning wondering why they're exhausted.

Favorite Phrase

"You can actually see Andromeda."

The Desert Foodie

Distinguishing Characteristics

Traveled hundreds of miles into the desert and immediately began discussing dinner plans.

Has taken more photos of burritos than landscapes.

Knows exactly where breakfast is happening tomorrow.

Behavior

Arrives convinced they're visiting for the art.

Leaves with strong opinions about coffee, pastries, barbecue, breakfast burritos, and whether a certain sauce was life-changing.

Successfully spends more time planning meals than museum visits.

Marfa may be one of the few places where people willingly drive six hours into the desert and then spend half the trip discussing what they're eating next.

We respect this level of commitment.

Favorite Phrase

"We should probably get there early." Followed closely by: "Did you make reservations?"

Natural Habitat

A line that formed twenty minutes before opening.

The Let's-Move-to-Marfa Couple

Distinguishing Characteristics

Arrived yesterday.

Already discussing real estate.

Behavior

Starts every conversation with:

"You know what we should do?"

The answer is usually:

Buy an adobe.

Open a gallery.

Open a coffee shop.

Raise goats.

Some combination of all four.

Favorite Phrase

"How hard could it be?"

The Desert Athlete

Distinguishing Characteristics

Running vest.

Expensive sunglasses.

More water bottles than a small convenience store.

Behavior

Chooses to run in conditions most people would describe as "a little warm."

Returns triumphant.

Favorite Phrase

"It's a dry heat."

The Creative on Retreat

Distinguishing Characteristics

Laptop.

Notebook.

Three unfinished projects.

Behavior

Came to write a screenplay.

Leaves with:

A screenplay.

A photography project.

A pottery idea.

A business concept.

An entirely new life plan.

Favorite Phrase

"I had an idea..."

The Marfa Veteran

Distinguishing Characteristics

Has been here multiple times.Knows where everything is.

Gives directions using landmarks that may or may not still exist.

Behavior

Spends half the trip introducing first-timers to their favorite places.

Spends the other half quietly enjoying them again.

Favorite Phrase

"It was different the first time I came."

The Dog

Distinguishing Characteristics

Living their absolute best life.

Behavior

Enjoys:

Long walks.

New smells.

Open skies.

Zero concern for contemporary art.

Being complimented by strangers.

Favorite Phrase

None.

The dog has achieved a level of peace the rest of us are still chasing.

The Milky WayFarer Guest

Distinguishing Characteristics

Planned to spend the entire day exploring town.

Somehow ended up playing mini golf in the backyard.

Has ridden the Mustang spring rider at least once.

Intended to stay up for the stars and accidentally stayed up for three hours.

Behavior

Starts by asking where the nearest grocery store is.

Ends by debating whether extending the trip by two more nights would be irresponsible.

Spends an unexpected amount of time sitting outside doing absolutely nothing.

Which, in Marfa, is often the point.

Favorite Phrase

"Let's stay outside a little longer."

You

Distinguishing Characteristics

Made it this far without seeing yourself in any of the above.

Suspected as much when you booked the trip.

Don't broadcast why you came.

Don't ask where the best coffee is — you'll find it.

Behavior

Walks more than talks.

Reads in coffee shops.

Takes the long way home from the grocery store.

Leaves before anyone else figures out you were here.

Favorite Phrase

None worth quoting.

You're better in person than in dialogue.

Final Notes

While these species appear distinct, prolonged exposure to Marfa often causes crossover behavior.

The Stargazer becomes the Creative.

The Accidental Tourist becomes the Marfa Veteran.

The Desert Foodie starts talking about art.

The Judd Pilgrim becomes the Gallery Hopper.

The Gallery Hopper becomes the Creative on Retreat.

The Creative on Retreat starts browsing real estate listings.

The Let's-Move-to-Marfa Couple starts calling real estate agents.

And nearly everyone, at some point, finds themselves standing quietly in the desert wondering why the light looks different here.

Nobody is quite sure why this happens.

Some blame the stars.

Some blame the art.

Some blame the burritos.

Eventually you stop trying to categorize yourself and just notice the light.

Whatever the cause, that's usually when Marfa starts working its magic.

Until next time — Rob & Becca