You’ve probably seen a junkyard at some point in your travels. A sprawling yard of browning grass piled with rusting vehicles that haven’t run since the early ’80s. They’re an eyesore. And if it hadn’t been for a group of dedicated artists, this attraction would have been just that.
International Car Forest of the Last Church in Goldfield, Nevada, takes those run-down vehicles and turns them into stunning sculptures.
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The open-air gallery was launched by longtime Goldfield resident Mark Rippie. At the time he was hoping to break the Guinness World Record for the world’s biggest car forest.
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With the help of several other local artists, Rippie began burying junked cars in unique positions around the desert area. As word spread, artists began to bring their spray cans to tag the cars. Soon the project was so much more than just a car forest, it had become an art project.
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The gallery is now comprised of more than 40 vehicles and the group that runs the program is actively recruiting specific artists to paint cars for a more curated experience.
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Though the way the space operates has evolved (it used to be more of an artistic free for all), the Car Forest retains that sense of spontaneity. It’ll make you feel as though you’ve just stumbled across something strange and wonderful.
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You’ll definitely want to bring your camera for this one.
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The Car Forest is free and open to the public 24/7, though it’s best enjoyed between sunrise and sunset.
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Address: The International Car Forest, 1111 East, Crystal Ave, Goldfield, NV 89013, USA
