The IndependentThe annual Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show and Sale, recognized as one of the biggest art events in the state of Utah, celebrates its 28th year beginning on Saturday, February 14th, at the Dolores Dore´ Eccles Fine Arts Center on the campus of Dixie State University.
The Sears Dixie Invitational, which has been a mainstay at DSU, will feature more than 250 works of art from 130 renowned artists from Utah and the United States. Award categories for the show include oils, watercolor, pastels and other media. In addition, the show regularly features several bronze works.
This year’s Invitational events will begin on Friday, Feb. 13, at 3:00 p.m., in the Gardner Center Conference Room with a free art symposium conducted by 2014 Purchase Prize winner Royden Card. A Southern Utah resident, Card began painting with instruction from his father at age fourteen. His inspiration primarily comes from desert landscapes of the Southwest. As the 2014 Purchase Prize winner, Card will also have the honor of serving as the adjudicator for this year’s Sears Dixie Invitational.
The Invitational’s pre-sale reception will follow the symposium at 4:00 p.m., with the annual Gala starting at 6 p.m. The Invitational Gala is the evening’s signature event with dinner, live entertainment and remarks by this year’s Honorary Co-Chairs Steve & Toni Caplin. Gala guests have the chance to mingle with the artists, enjoy a coveted first look at the artwork and make purchases that evening, prior to the official exhibit opening on Saturday. Gala tickets are $75 per person and the event calls for semi-formal attire. Tickets for the gala may be purchased by calling Susan Taysom in the DSU Cultural Arts Office at 435-652-7903.
DSU Sears Art Museum curator Kathy Cieslewicz noted that each year the show features a strong representation of landscapes, genre, still life, figures, ceramics, and sculpture. Mediums include an outstanding array of oils, watercolors, pastels, acrylics, bronze, and glass.
Since the inaugural Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show in 1988, a portion of the proceeds from each artwork purchased has been allocated to help fund the art gallery in the Eccles Fine Arts Center. The Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show made its debut in that new gallery in 2005, and appropriately enough, the gallery bears the name of the show’s founders, the late Robert N. and Peggy Sears.
According to Cieslewicz, “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 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 Museum Gallery 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 Art 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.”
The exhibit will open to the public Saturday, February 14th, and will be on display through Sunday, March 29th. Exhibit hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays, and 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays. Call (435) 652-7909 for more information.
