ST. GEORGE – The Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show and Sale, one of the largest art events in Utah, kicks off its 26th year at Dixie State College of Utah Feb. 16.
Over 250 works from 130 renowned artists will be featured at this year’s event, including oils, watercolors, pastels, acrylics, bronze, glass, ceramics and sculpture. A variety of awards will be given out by category.
“Viewers will find a full scope that one could expect (from) some of the biggest art shows across the country,” DSC Kathy Cieslewicz, Sears Art Museum curator, said. “Lying at the heart of this significant collection are (numerous) professional artists who have created wonderful pieces in an effort to raise money to support the Sears Museum Gallery. We encourage art lovers from near and far to participate.”
The event will begin Feb. 15 at 3 p.m., in the Eccles Fine Arts Center concert hall with a free art symposium hosted by 2012 Purchase Prize and Best of Show winner Jeremy Winborg, whose oil painting “Shoshone Dolls” was only the second work in the event’s history to win both top prizes. A native of Cache Valley, Winborg sold his first painting to the Utah Education Association at age 15. His work has also been displayed at the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.
The opening reception will be held at 5 p.m. in the Eccles Fine Arts Center grand foyer, followed by the opening gala and pre-sale at 6 p.m. The evening’s program will include dinner and remarks by A. Scott Anderson, President and CEO of Zions Bank and this year’s invitational honorary chair.
Works entered in the event will be available for public view and purchase at the Eccles Fine Arts Center from Feb. 16 to March 31. Exhibit hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Since the inaugural Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show in 1988, a portion of each painting purchased has been allocated to help fund the DSC art gallery, which bears the name of the show’s founders, the late Robert N. Sears and Peggy Sears.
“The goal of the invitational is to give people the opportunity to purchase art, gain a purchase prize to add to the DSC permanent collection and educate our students and the community about art,” Cieslewicz said. “It is my great pleasure to work with professional artists and to create a pleasing installation of magnificent artwork that is surely enhanced by the uniquely evocative setting of the Sears Museum Gallery.”
“Culture has been an important facet of our community from the very beginning, and the Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show has been a Dixie tradition for 26 years,” said Christina Schultz, DSC vice president of institutional advancement. “Artists (are) enthralled by our beautiful Southern Utah landscape, history and abundant wildlife. This passion is reflected in our show.”
Event details and contact information
Date: Feb. 16 to March 31
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, 2 to 6 p.m., Sunday
Location: Eccles Fine Arts Center, DSC campus
Admission: Free
Contact: DSC Sears Museum Gallery – 435-652-7907
Invitational Gala
Tickets for the Feb. 15 dinner gala may be purchased by calling Susan Taysom in the DSC Institutional Advancement Office at 435-652-7903.
Submitted by: Dixie State College of Utah
Email: [email protected]
