St. George 35th Annual Art Festival, St. George, Utah, April 18, 2014 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
ST. GEORGE – The 35th annual St. George Art Festival, located in Town Square, began Friday morning and showcases 110 artists from all over the United States. By 10 a.m., the streets were already crowded with people eager to see this year’s displayed art, which includes a variety of ceramics, photography, sculptures, paintings and even jewelry welded from silverware. Among the displayed art, live music radiated from stages at the east and west sides of the festival.
Provided by the Difiore Center for Arts and Education and Learning Center, the Kids’ Creation Station, located by the water fountain, allows children a taste for the world of art by providing materials, such as pipe cleaners, candy and coffee filters, for children to create their own work of art.
Near the Kids’ Creation Station, Washington County School District displays their student art exhibit which highlights artwork from elementary to high school levels.
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Videocast by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
Five featured artists of the student showing include Enterprise High School artists Seth Jensen for two-dimensional art and Launa Taylor for ceramics, Snow Canyon High School’s Isaak Hunt and Levi Bishop for ceramics, and Desert Hill High School artist Dallin Reber for ceramics.
The featured artist for this year is Randy Morris who currently lives in Salt Lake City. This year marks his 20th year attending the St. George Art Festival and displaying his work.
“It is an absolute honor to be a part of this,” Morris said. “I do shows all over the country but, believe it or not, this is my favorite show. This is one of the highlights of my year.”
The art festival has become a tradition for many that live in the St. George area. Anita Wotkyns, who works at the St. George Art Museum, said that she has been able to see a lot of the behind the scenes work that goes into the planning for the festival.
“It gets bigger and better every year,” Anita Wotkyns said. “I have lived here for about fifteen years and I have enjoyed it every year. We have people working on it year round.”
First time attender, Paulette Evans , of Salt Lake City, came to the art festival to see her brother-in-law’s photography.
“I have gone around and looked at all the booths. There are some really lovely things,” Evans said. “Even if my brother-in-law wasn’t in this, photography would be my favorite thing because I love photography and people watching.”
“I walked all around and really like the pottery. The pictures are very nice. There is beautiful artwork here,” Joy Faler said. Faler and her husband are snowbirds from Rock Springs, Wyo. “We come every year. We are just getting older and can’t walk like we used to. We still want to enjoy the people.”
The art festival continues Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m
Click on any photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.
There are 20 food vendors at the art festival, St. George, Utah, April 18, 2014 | Photo by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
The 35th Annual Art Festival, St. George, Utah, April 18, 2014 | Photo by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
There are 110 vendors at the St. George Art Festival, St. George, Utah, April 18, 2014 | Photo by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
The 35th Annual St. George Art Festival was held in Town Square, St. George, Utah, April 18,2014 | Photo by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
Photo painted by featured artist, Randy Morris, St. George, Utah, April 18, 2014 | Photo by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
The St. George Art Festival Featured 110 artists from all over the country, St. George, Utah, April 18, 2014 | Photo by Samantha Tommer
There are 110 artists showcasing their work at the St. George Art Festival, St. George, Utah, April 18, 2014 | Photo by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
There are two stages with entertainment on the hour, St. George Utah, April 18, 2014 | Photo by Samantha Tommer, St. George News
St. George 35th Annual Art Festival, St. George, Utah, April 18, 2014 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
St. George 35th Annual Art Festival, St. George, Utah, April 18, 2014 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
16-month- old, Isabelle Derrick enjoys the water at the art festival, St. George, Utah, April 18, 2014 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
St. George 35th Annual Art Festival, St. George, Utah, April 18, 2014 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
St. George 35th Annual Art Festival, St. George, Utah, April 18, 2014 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
St. George 35th Annual Art Festival, St. George, Utah, April 18, 2014 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
St. George 35th Annual Art Festival, St. George, Utah, April 18, 2014 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
St. George 35th Annual Art Festival, St. George, Utah, April 18, 2014 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
St. George 35th Annual Art Festival, St. George, Utah, April 18, 2014 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
St. George 35th Annual Art Festival, St. George, Utah, April 18, 2014 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
St. George 35th Annual Art Festival, St. George, Utah, April 18, 2014 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
St. George 35th Annual Art Festival, St. George, Utah, April 18, 2014 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
St. George 35th Annual Art Festival, St. George, Utah, April 18, 2014 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
St. George 35th Annual Art Festival, St. George, Utah, April 18, 2014 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
St. George 35th Annual Art Festival, St. George, Utah, April 18, 2014 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
St. George 35th Annual Art Festival, St. George, Utah, April 18, 2014 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
Jonathan Crawley, 18 months enjoys the art festival, St. George, Utah, April 18, 2014 | Photo by John Teas, St. George News
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Samantha Tommer is completing her studies at Dixie State University. She is currently working towards her bachelor's degree in integrated studies with a combined major of mass communication and criminal justice. She has had experience with broadcast journalism since 2011. She started off as a producer for DSU's news show, State of the Storm. While producing, she took up the interest in becoming a reporter. She has worked with Dixie Sun News as multimedia editor as well as a co-anchor for the Dixie Sun News Show. Samantha brings her love for and experience in broadcast journalism as a vital member of the St. George News team.
Thanks for posting this excellent article with photos, showing all the fun things to do at the festival!