The Canyons Are Calling
Celebrating its 19th year in the beautiful canyonlands of Southern Utah, The Escalante Canyons Arts Festival is making a few changes to increase interest and participation. In addition to their traditional plein-air competitions, they will be sponsoring a few more events.
Two Paint-Out competitions will include a 24-hour Paint-Out within the Escalante City limits; the other will be a 2-hour Paint-Out in the park.
Winners qualify for some of the $11,000 prize money available this year. Interested admirers can purchase right off the easel, increasing the artists’ revenue.
Another new feature, specific to this year only, will be the artist in residence, Melody Greenlief, featuring a non-competitive Paint-Together on-site at Bryce Canyon in conjunction with the National Park’s Centennial Celebration. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity will create connections with fellow artists and nature like nothing else in the world.
The deadline for the Plein Air and Studio work is September 18. Other special competitions include Nocturne, Miniatures, Quick Draw, and a Junior category. New for 2023, artists are invited to register to submit studio work in the competition and miniatures to be sold for a fundraiser. Recognition varies in each category.
Many varied demonstrations will be taught by veteran artists throughout the communities of Escalante and Boulder September 15-22, with an arts and crafts fair held on September 22-23 from 9 AM to 5 PM. More information can be found on their website escalantecanyonsartfestival.org.
