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Home > Archive > Mar 29, 2007

Kicking off Spring With ‘Homespun Flavor’
By Susi Lafaele
Golf. Spring break. Easter. Every spring, Southern Utahns prepare themselves for the onslaught of visitors to Washington County. In less than two weeks, thousands will converge in St. George for the 28th Annual Art Festival.
Covering nearly two blocks of S. Main Street in the Historic District of St. George, the Art Festival is geared as a family-friendly environment. With St. George losing its popularity as the “spring break destination,” Gary Sanders with the city of St. George calls the Art Festival “a quality event” intended for everyone of all ages.
For many artists, the St. George Art Festival is a vehicle for them to showcase their artwork. Over 100 artists are scheduled to adorn Main Street with various pieces of art, sculptures, and ornaments Friday and Saturday, April 6-7, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. This year’s Theme Award was given to Daren Wilding for his painting titled, “At the Edge of Snow Canyon,” and it decorates the posters the City is using to promote the event.
Daren Wilding, a Utah artist, is no stranger to the St. George Art Festival. Placing first and second at the Art Festival, as well as winning last year’s Purchase Award, Wilding has been asked to return as this year’s featured artist.
Wilding continues to travel to art shows throughout the West. Upon completion of a degree in illustration from Ricks College, Wilding has spent the better part of 15 years sharing his love of art with students in the Ogden area. A unique aspect of Wilding’s paintings is that he paints mostly with a palette knife and uses a brush for finish detail work. His love of nature and the outdoors is beautifully captured in his artwork. Wilding has spent countless hours exploring red rock canyons, searching out the remnants of cliff dwellings and enjoying the many natural wonders of Utah’s national parks and monuments.
For festival revelers, the St. George Art Festival offers nearly 20 food vendors – anything from Greek, Polynesian, and Mexican to funnel cakes and kettle corn to satisfy that sweet tooth. Amid the artists and food are two stages that will feature country western performers, Celtic singers, Polynesian dancers, and cloggers, allowing Festival goers to not only bask in the beauty of Dixie’s climate and fair weather, but in the spirit of good company and fun. With a children’s activity area, kids can create crafts, play games, and get their faces painted, all to help teach kids how to make art a part of their life.
When asked about the success of the St. George Arts Festival, Sanders attributes it to “a homespun flavor.” With a smaller population than the venues of other art festivals around the country, St. George still manages to attract thousands of visitors. Sanders estimates that 25,000 to 30,000 visitors will walk St. George’s Historic District Easter weekend.
Sanders gives two purposes for the Art Festival. The first is to provide “an outdoor visual art exhibit.” One can discover an array of watercolors, oils, and photography that can capture the heart, imagination, and beauty of nature. The second purpose is to really “educate people about art.” Sanders said the education comes from a vendor who may be selling a $10 pair of earrings, or a $5,000 to $10,000 sculpture.
Sanders hopes that visitors to the Art Festival will “enjoy the friendly flavor of St. George.”

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