Not everyone knows this, but there is a fine arts gallery that is not confined by walls; a place to view sculpture in the great outdoors, thanks to the annual Art Around Corner St George.
Located in downtown St. George, Art Around Corner St George features 24 sculptures by different artists. The pieces include everything from realistic to modern. Sizes range from tabletop to large enough to fill the roundabout.
There’s definitely a little bit of everything in this year’s Art Around Corner St George.
Art Around Corner St George
According to the web site for the Art Around Corner St George Foundation, the mission of this exhibit is to offer “a unique outdoor sculpture gallery” to the people of southern Utah. So many people who are unfamiliar with the arts may have the wrong idea about a fine art exhibit. Some imagine it has to take place in a fancy gallery. Others think it has an air of stuffiness to it all. But the Art Around Corner St George shows neither preconceived notions are true. Art can be art no matter where it is displayed. And sometimes, if you want people to have a true appreciation for some of the finer things in life, you have to bring the display to them.
Not only that, Art Around Corner St George provides yet another reason for people to visit downtown St. George. Which is an ongoing goal for St. George city officials.
The Art Around Corner St George Foundation is a nonprofit organization. It takes its role of bringing nationally renowned artists to the area very seriously. This Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit is just one way of doing that.
Other programs with which the Art Around Corner St George Foundation is involved include offering educational tours to students in Washington County School District. And in 2016 the Young Creators Program was developed. This program is there to encourage secondary students to connect to the community with their art.
Current exhibit
The current exhibit of Art Around Corner St George definitely has some focal points. It’s difficult to drive down Main Street without noticing the enormous spider towering above the roundabout at Main Street and Tabernacle. The piece, aptly titled “Giant Spider” by Deveren Farley, measures at 20-feet by 10-feet by 15-feet. And since so many people have strong feelings one way or the other about spiders, well, it’s definitely a piece that is getting talked about.
Less dramatic, but equally poignant is the “Jules Vern LL” by Richard Prazen. The whimsical boat meets flying ship contraption sits 5-feet tall by 5-feet wide.
One that stands out because of its pure white color and gentle motion is “Regaining Composure” by Michael Howey.
Most of the artwork on the outdoor exhibit of Art Around Corner St George is for sale. So as you stroll down Main St., if you get a hankering for a piece of bright red, modern art (“Opening #1” by Christopher Thomson) or a thoughtful woman and a watering can (“In Her Care” by Rod Ambroson”), well, you can buy it.
Other pieces, like a darling depiction of a young girl and her dog (“Sandy Rascal” by L’Deane Trueblood) don’t have a price tag on the web site.
More Art Around Corner St George programs
In addition to the splendid display of sculptures in the Art Around Corner St George outdoor exhibit, there are other programs to consider. Take the Young Creator’s Program, for example.
In an effort to cultivate student interest in the arts, the Young Creator’s Program is a sculpture/3D art contest for students in Washington County School District. The process for the 2018 contest recently concluded. During this, 12 student artists were selected as finalists. From there, the finalists presented their work during the gala dinner for Art Around Corner St George outdoor exhibit. During the gala, all the student pieces were on display, and on sale. All proceeds went to the students themselves, to “encourage their creative endeavors.”
The goal of this program is to provide a platform for these emerging artists. IT’s a way for them to gain confidence. Plus, they have a chance to network during the gala with artists and art lovers. Ultimately they hope it’s a way to encourage these students to continue pursuing their artistic endeavors.
The program is open to all high school students. Three-dimensional art and welding projects are all considered.
Overall this Art Around Corner St George event benefits everyone. The artists, the students, and of course the people passing by who get to feast their eyes on such masterful pieces of art.
If you are interested in living somewhere near where the arts are alive and well, check out these great listings here.