Kolb Studio clings to the edge of Grand Canyon. A glance at Kolb Studio paints a picture of the men who built it. It was the home and photographic studio of pioneers and photographers, Emery and Ellsworth Kolb. Begun in 1904, the building has evolved through two major additions and countless minor changes during its century of existence at Grand Canyon. Perched aggressively on the canyon brink, the building is anything but conventional. It was built without a plan, its rooms added piecemeal over the years. The building is a vivid reminder of the two pioneers who ran the rapids, hiked the canyons, and photographed it all.

Today, historic Kolb Studio is open year-round. It contains an exhibit venue, bookstore, and information center operated by the Grand Canyon Association, a nonprofit organization. Proceeds from sales at the bookstore go toward the continuing restoration and care of the building. Fully remodeled in 2004 for the Kolb Studio Centennial, the bookstore now features a tribute to the Kolbs’ photography of mule riders at Grand Canyon. You can share the same view the Kolb brothers did, and experience Grand Canyon from this enduring structure.

Since 1993 Kolb Studio has hosted a series of changing exhibits, each illustrating the inspirational power of Grand Canyon. This magnificent landscape has an aesthetic and emotional appeal that has inspired people to contemplate the significance of nature in the human experience. Many people have expressed their perceptions in art forms, whether verbal or visual, leaving a tangible record for others to enjoy.