Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show and Sale Celebrates 35 Years
Dixie State University – The annual Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show and Sale, recognized as one of the biggest art events in the state of Utah, celebrates its 35th year, opening to the public on February 19th, at the Dolores Dore´ Eccles Fine Arts Center, Sears Art Museum, on the campus of Dixie State University.
The Sears Dixie Invitational, which has been a mainstay at DSU, will feature more than 240 works of art from 140 renowned artists from Utah and the United States. DSU Sears Art Museum, Curator and Director, Kathy Cieslewicz noted that this year’s show will feature a strong representation of landscapes, genre, still life, figures, ceramics, and sculpture, including a variety of styles from super-realism to extreme abstraction. Oils, watercolors, pastels, acrylics, bronze, and glass are of outstanding quality.
“Viewers will find a full scope that one could expect to find in some of the biggest art shows across the country,” Cieslewicz said. “Lying at the heart of this significant collection of artworks are artists who have created wonderful pieces and then presented in an effort to raise monies to support the Sears Art Museum. We encourage art lovers and collectors from near and far to participate. Culture has always been important in our area and artists continue to be drawn to our beautiful southern Utah landscape.
Since the inaugural Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show and Sale in 1988, a portion of the proceeds from each painting purchased has been allocated to help fund the art museum in the Eccles Fine Arts Center. The Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show made its debut in that new space in 2005, and appropriately enough, the museum bears the name of the show’s founders, the late Robert N. and Peggy Sears.
The goal of the Invitational is to give people the opportunity to purchase art, to gain a purchase prize to add to the DSU Permanent Collection and to educate our students and community. The Invitational is the only fundraiser for the Sears Art Museum. This is the perfect time to purchase original art as 37% is a taxable donation for the patron.
The Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show and Sale has attracted buyers and patrons who enjoy beautiful art by some of the most successful artists from Utah and many other states. The Sears Art Museum is the perfect place to showcase this beloved legacy envisioned by Robert N. Sears with the intent to bring beautiful art to the institution and community.
“It is my great pleasure to work with professional artists and to create a pleasing installation of magnificent artwork that is surely enhanced by the uniquely evocative setting of the Sears Museum Gallery,” Cieslewicz went on to say. “We are very grateful to the Sears family and our many patrons who are helping us to fulfill our mission and to help us continue to build our collections through gifts and donations. We are excited to greet thousands of people who make this a yearly destination.”
Michelle Condrat is the 2021 Purchase Prize winner and will adjudicate the show and place the ribbons. Her artwork, “Canyon Royalty” joined the DSU Permanent Art Collection last year. Viewers will enjoy her two artworks for sale in the Museum.
The exhibit will open to the public Saturday, February 19th, and will be on display through Saturday, April 2nd. Special exhibit hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, and Saturdays from 12 PM to 4 PM. Call Jeanine Nay (435) 652-7903 for presale and gala tickets. The Artist Symposium is free Friday, February 18, 3:00 p.m. Enjoy the art preview Friday, February 18th, 4:00 p.m. Please visit www.searsart.com for more information, or call Kathy Cieslewicz (435-652-7909). Admission is free during the run of the exhibit. We encourage everyone to please wear a mask and maintain social distancing.
