Art Car World was suggested to us by a gentleman at the Douglas Visitor Center. I had never heard of art cars but it seemed like an interesting concept. They were closed for the day but the gentleman at the visitor center said they are very accommodating with tours and that I should call them . Not wanting to bother people after hours, I made plans to spend the night and go first thing in the morning when they opened. I think it's important to mention all that because even after opening hours, I still ended up having to call. The gentleman that arrived and gave our tour was named Hunter and he explained it IS always best to call because they are flexible regarding hours and tours. Hunter was amazing. He was so knowledgeable about every single vehicle and he was super friendly and nice . He had in-depth history and experience with all of the cars and his stories made the entire experience just kind of come to life. He spent over 90 minutes showing me around and as much as I loved the building and art cars, he is what really made the experience five stars.
I thought this would be a fun and interesting experience, but I just didn't expect how much love, creativity, and genuine Joy is behind this passion project. Art Car World is a collection of fully transformed vehicles that have been turned into rolling pieces of art. They are interesting, detailed expressions of creativity that take a huge amount of time and imagination. Every car has a story.
I liked the "Monster" truck and the stained glass VW Bug, but the Brass Van was my personal favorite. It was a piece you could look at for hours and never get bored, continuously noticing new details and interesting things. Hunter had a personal connection with the gentleman who created that piece and was able to tell story after story and answer all my questions. It was a very enjoyable way to spend my afternoon.
This definitely doesn't feel like a typical museum. It feels alive and full of creativity and I left feeling inspired. I made a donation and even bought myself a t-shirt because this really feels like something worth supporting. I have also already made plans to go to the Art Car Festival in Seattle later this year, at Hunter's suggestion.
If you're anywhere near Douglas, this is absolutely worth your time. It's a work in progress and super weird in the best way. It's one of those experiences that remind you how fun creativity can be when people are allowed to run wild and you can really feel the love and community here. Make the call and don't miss this one! read more