Meet the artists: St. George invited to celebrate 20 years of public art

In this file photo, a giant spider art piece by Deveren Farley towers above Downtown St. George, Date and location unspecified | Photo courtesy of Marianne Hamilton of Art Around the Corner, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — The Art Around the Corner Foundation is gearing up for its 20th anniversary with a series of events before the installation of the 2024 Outdoor Sculpture Galleries in St. George.

Patrick Sullivan stands with his sculpture "1960" that was installed as part of Art Around the Corner, St. George, Utah, Jan. 11, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
In this file photo, Patrick Sullivan stands with his sculpture “1960” that was installed as part of Art Around the Corner, St. George, Utah, Jan. 11, 2024 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

For the past two decades, the all-volunteer foundation has partnered with the City of St. George to curate and display public art in Historic Downtown and at St. George Regional Hospital, according to a news release issued by the nonprofit.

Thanks to the foundation’s “art on loan” program, nationally renowned sculptors and 3D artists bring their works to St. George for display for one year. The artwork is then available for residents and visitors to enjoy, free of charge.

“Thanks to the Art Around the Corner Foundation, the quality of life in St. George has been greatly enriched for the past 20 years,” said St. George Mayor Michele Randall in the release. “The beautiful sculptures that AACF installs each year provide wonderful opportunities for our community to interact with the art and with each other. We are truly grateful for the efforts of our hardworking volunteers.”

This year’s installation — slated for Saturday morning, April 6 — will be the culmination of weeks of special events, the release states. In February, Art Around the Corner provided a daily educational program for fourth grade students in Washington County. Students visited the Electric Theater for a presentation on the creation of public art and screenings of videos featuring artists describing their artwork, followed by walking tours of the current Outdoor Sculpture Gallery in Historic Town Square.

"Bird Woman" by Cheryl Collins and Trent Ripplinger is seen inside the roundabout in St. George, Utah on April 3, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
In this file photo, “Bird Woman” by Cheryl Collins and Trent Ripplinger is seen inside the roundabout in St. George, Utah on April 3, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

In March, foundation board members arranged for the removal of the current sculpture collection and coordinated the details for the Artists Social, to be held Friday evening, April 5, at the Hilton Garden Inn.

The public is invited to attend this festive gathering, during which several artists, foundation board members and city dignitaries will share details of the organization’s history and highlight its successes, including over $1,000,000 in sales and leases of artwork.

Tickets for the Social are $35 and are available at the foundation’s website here.

On April 6, at 10 a.m., following the installation of the 2024 show, the community is again invited to meet and mingle with the artists at a celebration in Town Square. According to the release, drinks, light refreshments and entertainment will be provided free of charge.

“We’re so excited to invite the St. George community to join us in celebrating our 20th anniversary and the talented, generous artists who’ve made it all possible,” said Art Around the Corner Foundation Chair Heather Atkin. “Many residents wonder who creates the amazing artwork that they see around downtown. This year, everyone will have the chance to meet and thank our creative partners for making life in St. George even brighter.”

For more information, visit Art Around the Corner’s website.

Artists Social details

  • Date: Friday, April 5
  • Time: 6-8 p.m.
  • Location: 1731 S. Convention Center Drive
  • Tickets: $35 per person

Outdoor Sculpture Gallery installation details

  • Date: Saturday, April 6
  • Time: 10 a.m. to noon
  • Location: Town Square Park, 50 S. Main Street

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2024, all rights reserved.

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