Join us for the Escalante Canyons Art Festival, Come celebrate the stunning public lands of Utah’s canyon country. Hosted in Escalante, Utah along Scenic Byway 12 between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks in the heart of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Plein air and studio competitions, art exhibits, on-site sales, workshops, demonstrations, arts and crafts fair, live music, guided walks, and much more.
Schedule Of Events:
9:00 am – 10:00 am - Judges’ Talk
The ribbons have been awarded and the paintings are on display. Join the Competition Judges as they explain their methods for coming to the ribbons. This will be an opportunity to learn how they have reached their decisions.
Location: Escalante Town Park – Outside Exhibit Tent
10:00 am – 6:00 pm - Art Exhibit and Overflow Sales
The Art Exhibit and Sale is the highlight of the festival and showcases artwork submitted for all competition categories. Each year, artists compete in the Plein Air, Studio Work and Junior categories. The festival mixes it up each year with possible Nocturne, Miniature, Drawing and Abstract competitions.
The exhibit typically includes more than 200 entries in oil, pastel, watercolor, and other mixed media, many of which have been produced during the days leading up to the show.
Location: Escalante Town Park – Exhibit Tent
10:00 am – 12:00 pm - Helga Watkins: What is a Good Painting?
We will survey the work of artists, historians and theorists, and examine intriguing and unresolved debates about the nature of art and the question of what makes a given work of art good (or not). Although a vast subject, this intensive mini-seminar will point to the larger historical and cultural context for making art, and on a more personal level, can help inform and clarify your own aesthetic and philosophical position as an artist.
Location: Escalante GSENM Partners Office
10:00 am – 4:00 pm - Quilt Exhibition
Every quilt has a story. Visit the Quilt Exhibit and enjoy the art, workmanship, and history of these beautiful quilts.
Also on display are some of the Best of Show winning artwork from across the years since the festival began.
Location: Escalante Multi-Purpose Center
89 North 100 West
11:00 am – 12:30 pm - David Hauze & Shannon Ullmann
David Hauze and Shannon Ullmann offer a captivating blend of harmony and acoustic artistry. Their voices and instruments blend effortlessly, creating sounds that resonate with life. Their melodies are painted with influences drawn from the wisdom of nature, the insight of poets and the simple joy of sharing beauty with others.
Location: Escalante Town Park – Festival Stage
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm - Raymond King Shurtz: Short Fiction using Landscape Paintings
In this session, we will be using a plein air painting of your choice from the festival to write a short fiction story. The first hour we will talk about short fiction and choose the painting we will write from. The second hour we will write our story, integrating character, setting, conflict, plot and theme from our painting. The last hour we will read our stories and talk about the readings. This is a magical way to work!
Location: Escalante Town Park – Hands on Art Tent
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm - Kadee Henderson Finch
Kadee Henderson Finch is an accomplished pianist and educator with 10 years of teaching experience, including leadership roles at the Utah Piano Conservatory, secretary for the Provo/Orem chapter of the Utah Music Teachers Association, and three published educational articles in Provo Music Magazine.
Location: Escalante Town Park – Festival Stage
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm - Paso Gigantes
Pasos Gigantes is a rotating assortment of lowland desert dwellers, swing peddlers, groove tellers, tune-melters & note-welders – darn good fellers. Now assembled in Canyon Country for your leisure and listening pleasure.
Location: Escalante Town Park – Festival Stage
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm - Keynote Speaker: Zak Podmore
Glen Canyon Rises: The rebirth of America’s lost National Park
In his new book Life After Dead Pool, Utah-based journalist Zak Podmore brings to life the magnificent terrain of canyon country and its complex water politics, presenting an ultimately hopeful portrait of a Colorado River on the brink of rebirth.
In the words of The New York Times, Podmore
shows how climate change in the Southwest offers the “opportunity for a more sustainable future.”
Location: Escalante High School Auditorium
