Written by Heather Hymas
Friday, March 27, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. the Leisure Services Building was packed with a full house. Community members, sponsors, board members, and supporters came out for a preview of the new art to be displayed throughout downtown St. George in the 2015 outdoor sculpture gallery.The event was hosted by the Art Around the Corner Foundation. Art around the corner is a non-profit foundation that is dedicated to supporting the arts, enriching the community, and bringing fine arts to the heart of historic St. George. Formally known as the Pioneer Center for the Arts Foundation, Art Around the Corner was founded in 1988. On-going foundation projects include the open-air sculpture exhibit, Partner in the Art Awards, and “Art on Main’ strolls.
The outdoor sculpture exhibit, the focus of the nights event, is a collection of sculptures from nationally renowned artists.The new editions are installed annually, all but two being installed Saturday, March 28th. All of the pieces are for sale or lease.The exhibit locations are scattered throughout downtown from 200 North to 100 South on Main Street with a couple extending off onto Tabernacle Street. St. George City owns several pieces of art that may be seen during a walk downtown, they have been purchased and are a part of their permanent collection, but they are not part of the current exhibit.
Each artist in the collection was honored, introduced and if in attendance given a moment to share about his/her particular piece. The artists being featured this year include: Doug Adams, “Stryder’, Jerry Anderson with two pieces, “Pink Lady” and “America”, Karen Crain, “Spirit of Energy”, Mont Crosland, “Lil’ Wrangler”, Dimitry Domani, “Donatela”, Annette Everett, “The World is Mine”, Deveren Farley, “Mental Game”, Ben Hammond, “Mother’s Undivided Love’, Franz Johansen, “Going Home”, Nathan Johansen, “Maple Seed”, Dana Kuglin, “Gilded Lily”, Val Lewis, “Daddy’s Boy”, Tim Little, “Fired Up”, Jack Morford, “Fish Tank”, Gary Lee Price, “Alina”, Patrick Sullivan, “O’Keefe 5”, Reven Marie Swanson, “Dancing Aspens”, Dan Toone, “Held III”, Joshua Toone, “One of Us”, L’Deane Trueblood, “Springtime”, and Ronnie Walker, “Hawker Hurricane”.
The highlight of the evening was a surprise vocal presentation by Josie Johanson entitled ‘Going Home’. This moving and beautiful musical number was included as an inspiring addition to the meaning and sentiment behind Johansen’s piece.
Catering was provided by the Courtyard Marriot which included BBQ style fixings and desserts that were works of art in their own right. Music for the event was provided by Dick Earl’s Electric Witness, a local talent that brings the gospel of the blues wherever they perform.
Take a stroll downtown St. George and view all of this year’s amazing pieces. Thank you to all of the artist’s, the foundation, it’s board members, and the supporters that make this opportunity available to the community and add so much to the beauty to historic downtown.
