St. George has long enjoyed a love-affair with the arts. From the city’s very beginnings when pioneers built what is now the Opera House, even before constructing their own homes—to the present day, with sculptures, murals, brightly wrapped utility boxes and other objects d’art dotting the landscape, the community has enthusiastically embraced the arts in all formats. Add in an array of theater troupes, multiple choirs and concert series, a world-renowned arts festival and a traveling art gallery on wheels, and residents and visitors are blessed with ample opportunities for artistic enrichment.
Ask any of our local arts advocates why the arts are important, and common themes emerge.
“Art brings something to your soul; it’s a way to share beauty, humanity and culture,” says Dannielle Larkin, St. George City Councilmember and former Chair of the Art Around the Corner Foundation. “It makes you think in ways you normally wouldn’t; it changes your brain.”
Michelle Graves, the City’s Assistant Director of Parks and Community Services over Arts and Events, agrees, saying, “If I equate it to sports, art is the difference between being out on a bike or on the trail and having a wonderful day in nature, versus being indoors on a treadmill or a stationary bike. I can always listen to music. But being at a concert or the symphony is just ethereal. There are almost no words to describe what seeing, hearing and experiencing the arts can do for you.”
Dannielle and Michelle believe the City’s Recreation Arts and Parks or RAP tax has been the “driver” of the local arts scene for the past decade. With residents slated to vote this year on an extension of the tax—levied as 1 cent out of every 10 dollars paid in state sales tax—the pair say the funding has been and will continue to be critical to the survival of the more than 30 arts organizations that call Washington County home.
“Without RAP, the City still would have had arts-related programming,” notes Community Arts Manager Peyton Lee. “Before it passed, we had a small stipend of grant writing that people could do that the City could support. Now that’s increased exponentially due to RAP; almost every arts organization has been touched by the grants that tax has made available.”
Dannielle points to the Art Around the Corner Foundation or AACF as one of the biggest arts success stories in St. George. Now celebrating its 20th year of curating and installing public art, the nonprofit AACF partners closely with the City to bring some 30-plus sculptures and 3D artworks to town each spring.
AACF’s unique “art on loan” model sees nationally recognized artisans—who work in bronze, metal, stone, wood and other media—allowing their pieces to be displayed in Town Square, along Main Street and at St. George Regional Hospital free of charge. The works are offered for sale or lease, and over the years the Foundation has brokered sales in excess of $1 million.
Says Heather Atkin, current AACF Chair, “We owe a huge debt of gratitude to our founders; prolific artists like L’Deane Trueblood and Matt Clark, who live here and provided the art we needed to get up and running. In the beginning, we had no stipends to offer anyone; everyone brought their pieces to St. George at their own expense. Now the artists trust us, that we have an established show … and this year we have entries from all over the country.”
Roughly five years ago, vibrant murals began appearing on city properties and local businesses. The St. George Art Museum and Electric Theater now boast urban art-inspired works, while a tribute in vivid hues to IRONMAN® competitors greets Bear Paw Café customers on Main Street. Still others can be found on the back wall of Red Cliffs Mall and in the alley adjacent to Judd’s Store.
Michelle recalls that when first proposed, the notion of adding murals to public structures was not warmly welcomed.
“We received pushback and heard a lot of ‘what-ifs,’” she admits. “But our goal was to set the tone, and then we hoped that small businesses would step up. It’s been really rewarding to see this happening.”
Peyton is delighted that when locals cannot visit works of art, the art can visit them—through “Artie the Art Bus.” Conceived during the COVID pandemic as a way to keep socially distanced residents connected to the arts in the manner of bookmobiles, the vehicle now brings performers, craft projects and a mini-art gallery on wheels to neighborhood parks.
“I love that we take ‘live’ art and music into our parks,” Peyton says. “With Artie, and with our summer Concert in the Park series, we’re making art accessible to everyone. These programs are a hit—people come out with their families and enjoy being together. And it’s free—there are no barriers to entry.”
It’s no coincidence that the AACF’s annual installation takes place when it does: The City and the AACF ensure all sculptures are in place in time for the St. George Art Festival’s approximately 30,000 attendees to descend on Town Square.
The 2023 edition saw more than 400 internationally renowned artisans vying for 150 spots, offering paintings, ceramics, fine jewelry, photography and a seemingly infinite range of other artwork. This year’s show promises to be even more impressive, with a film festival, children’s activities area, live music on three stages, and of course, food. Lots and lots of food, Michelle stresses.
“I always say that food is art,” she says, laughing. “We have an amazing array of culinary delicacies. Whether you want to buy a fried Twinkie or a piece of fine art, there’s something for everyone at the Art Festival. And that’s what we want to do: Bring our community to these spaces of cultural enrichment and see them thrive, especially those who may not have had opportunities to do so.”
Michelle and her colleagues are constantly on the lookout for new trends in public art. With more utility box conversions on the boards, innovative art installations planned for the new City Hall complex, the possible addition of “crosswalk art” in the downtown Arts District, and other concepts being considered, the future of the arts in St. George appears rosy.
Heather hopes the community that enjoys the benefits of the arts will want to support them, particularly through volunteerism.
“Most of these programs would not be possible without volunteers,” Heather advises. “It’s not always about the money; it’s about showing up and giving back, even if you can only do so for a year, or for one event.”
Then, reflecting on her own experiences, she adds, “We moved around a lot when I was a kid, so I didn’t really have a community. I feel like I found one through the arts; art fills that gap. It really brings out the best in people.”
“Art brings something to your soul ..." ‒ Danielle Larkin, City of St. George Councilmember