Monday, September 16, 2013

14th Annual Art in Kayenta Festival, a favorite outdoor art event

Media note:  Art in Kayenta is a credentialed media event. To obtain a press pass for media parking access and coverage of the Quick Draw press conference and Matt Clark documentary screening, please contact TCS at (435) 674-2846.


ART IN KAYENTA FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES ROSTER OF ACCEPTED ARTISTS

The Kayenta Arts Foundation located in Ivins, Utah, announces the acceptance of juried artists to the Art In Kayenta Festival to be held Oct. 11-13 at Coyote Gulch Art Village.

Representing eight Western states and selected from a jury process, artists have been accepted to showcase their artwork in booths throughout the 3-day festival. Mediums represented include painting, photography, ceramics, glass, jewelry, leather, mixed media, sculpture, textiles, wood art, and specialty foods.

“Every year, the quality of the artists gets richer,” said Art in Kayenta spokesperson Gayle Bray. “The jury selection process is really what makes this such an esteemed event that appeals to art buyers and aficionados as well as art spectators and appreciators.”

With a lineup of street performers, musicians and special activities scheduled throughout the weekend, this year aims to appeal to patrons of all ages. “Art in Kayenta is a favorite annual outdoor art event for our region,” Bray said. “It is important to festival organizers to make sure there is something here for everyone to enjoy.”

This year, local artist Matt Clark will be participating in the festival and featured at a screening of the award-winning documentary film, “Pieces of the Soul,” which highlights Clark’s career in metal sculpting. Local filmmaker Spencer Sullivan will join with Matt Clark for a Q & A session following two festival screenings:  Friday, 12:30 p.m. and Saturday, 1 p.m. at The Room for Thought in Coyote Gulch Village. “Pieces of the Soul” won the DOCUTAH Audience Choice Raven Award in 2012. Screenings of the film will be free to the public.

Also new this year, Art In Kayenta is partnering with the Southern Utah Bicycle Alliance to provide bike racks and security volunteers.

“We are excited to support those who want to bike to the festival this year,” Bray said. “The bike valet will run something like a coat check. Riders will be given a check tag at the entrance and bikes will be parked and secured while riders stroll and enjoy the festival activities.”

An Art In Kayenta Festival favorite, the live action Quick Draw competition will return this year on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 2pm. In 90 minutes, artists will exhibit their skills and personal creative process under pressure to produce original works of art. Beginning with a blank canvas artists will paint shoulder-to-shoulder in a roped-off, tented area as spectators circle, cheer, photograph and witness the artistic process unfold. Thirteen artists have been selected to work against the clock after which the finished pieces will be sold at a live auction at 4 p.m.

Quick Draw artists scheduled to participate this year are: Edward Hlavka, Spike Ress, Kate Starling, Jeff Ham, Ginny Norcott, Aimee Bonham, Janet Tenneson-McCarty, Bonnie Conrad, L’Deane Trueblood, Sara Straw, Sang Choi, Michelle Deaderick and Russell Black.

Additionally, an ongoing silent auction with over 30 works of art will take place during the festival. With artwork and bidding forms on display in The Room For Thought, the closing of bids and announcement of winners will take place Saturday afternoon.

The Art In Kayenta Festival will feature live entertainment and performances throughout the event, and food vendors will be on site to accommodate festival patrons.

Proceeds for the three-day festival will benefit Kayenta Arts Foundation, a non-profit, tax-exempt organization, dedicated to creating an environment that fosters diverse artistic endeavors for educational and enrichment purposes.

For more information, visit www.artinkayenta.org or the festival’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ArtInKayentafestival. 


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