Looking for a way to combine culture, outdoors and family fun? Look no further than the annual St George Art Festival.
Taking place each Easter weekend, the St George Art Festival is one of the staples of the southern Utah cultural community. It has come to be known throughout the region as a destination event.
St George Art Festival 411
This year’s St George Art Festival takes place March 30-31 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Historic Town Square, 50 S. Main, St. George, Utah.
It all began in 1980 as a showcase for local artists in Ancestor Square and has since grown to include more than 100 artists representing a variety of media, each selected from hundreds of submissions. The goal is to showcase high caliber art. They do this by bringing back festival favorites from year to year while also introducing the area to new artists and styles.
The St. George Town Square serves as the perfect location. It allows patrons to wander through the artists’ booths on the grassy area near the carousel and sample delicious food in the extensive food booth section in the parking lot. Plus the area’s water features add a delightful ambiance and a way to cool off.
Visual art is not the only medium on display at this annual event. A wide range of musical acts and other entertainment are scheduled. This gives even more depth to the experience. Stages featuring bluegrass, folk, country, pop, and other kinds of tunes give even more reason to come — and stay a while — at the St George Art Festival.
Featured artist
Each year the St George Art Festival selects one featured artist. This year, the featured artist is Jeremy Winborg.
Known for his moving landscapes, and striking Native American and historical portraits. Jeremy Winborg is excited to be part of the St George Art Festival.
People may recognize some of his work from the Sears Dixie Art Invitational where he was selected as the Purchase Prize winner.
Winborg says he is also often commissioned to paint custom pieces for people’s homes. He is also involved in art shows throughout the country. And, according to his bio on the St George Art Festival web site, his hobbies include rock climbing and fishing.
Patrons to the St George Art Festival will have the chance to view Jeremy Winborg’s work, and even interact with the artist during the upcoming show.
Praise for the St George Art Festival
It is easy to find people who love to attend the St George Art Festival. Whether they come for the art and stay for the music, or come to stroll around and sample the food, there is praise for all aspects of the festival.
“This is by far the best cultural activity in St. George all year,” says one enthusiastic attendee.
Another patron “loves being involved with the St George Art Festival.” Her specific praise for the family friendly nature of the event is not isolated praise. The festival added a baby changing station a few years ago. This is an area where families can rejuvenate. Mothers can feed their babies, change them and get brief reprieve from the sun. There are even snacks and sunscreen provided.
The St George Art Festival has long been seen as a destination event for people throughout the region. It’s a time when many families converge for Easter weekend and the art festival is an integral part — a tradition — for many of these gatherings.
Former St. George Leisure Services Director Kent Perkins said people often stopped him at the event to introduce their families who had been attending for years. These encounters were a highlight for him.
Fun for the family
Some might see a fine art festival as something for adults only. But the St George Art Festival has made every effort to make art accessible to people of all ages — including children.
A specific children’s area filled with hands-on arts activities is just the thing to whet the appetite of a budding artisan. Music, puppetry, face painting, fancy hairdos and more; you will not be sorry you brought the entire family along.
One popular children’s activity is the instrument “petting zoo.” Here children are allowed to touch and play a variety of child-sized instruments. Such an experience is an excellent way to expose them to the arts than to let them experience it first-hand? The same goes for the opportunity often available to use a potters’ wheel, or create a painting and even take photos with their faces inside large-size versions of famous pieces of art.
Come, stroll through the Town Square. Enjoy the flavor, the aroma and the visual array of talent. It’s an event that showcases one of the popular areas in town. And it is indicative of the overall cultural flare, and family friendly nature of the St. George area.
Looking for such an idyllic place to live? Check out these fantastic home listings.