Art Around the Corner announces the opening of its 2009 outdoor sculpture exhibit in the heart of historic downtown St. George. Now in its fifth year, Art Around the Corner is a not-for-profit outdoor arts project featuring sculptures by nationally renowned artists from around the intermountain west and beyond. The sculptures span the range from representational wildlife to historic to abstract.
“We are so grateful to the artists who make this show possible by loaning their sculptures,” said Art Around the Corner chair Dannielle Larkin. All of the art in the new show is for sale. “We love it when we can give the artists the good news that one of their pieces has been purchased. It is what makes this show work.”
While a number of private collectors have broadened their collections through Art Around the Corner, the project has also helped to vastly expand the City of St. George’s art collection, both temporary and permanent. Through the generosity of donors, sponsors, and artists, the City has benefited from a number of permanent acquisitions since Art Around the Corner began, including works by L’Deane Trueblood, Ed Hlavka, Matt Clark, and James Christensen, among others.
That permanent collection is broadened by 2009’s 18 temporary pieces—exciting new works by world-class sculptors including Franz Johansen, Jeannine Young, Scott Rogers, Annette Everett, and many others.
“One of our goals is to put exceptional art where people can enjoy it on a daily basis,” said Larkin. “We have had many tell us how much they love seeing the sculptures as they visit beautiful historic St. George. When we see a child imitate the pose of a bronze dancer, when we see flowers left at the base of a statue in memory of a loved one, when we have a college student ask us why we have moved their favorite piece, then we know art is becoming a vital part of the lives of our family members and neighbors here in southern Utah."
Installation of the 2009 Art Around the Corner exhibit will occur on Saturday, March 28.
An opening gala will include the unveiling of a new permanent piece, The Robert Gardner, Jr. Commemorative Project. Sponsored by members of the Gardner family, this work by local artist Jerry Anderson depicts the driving of the center spike from which the early town of St. George was laid out.
The 2009 Art Around the Corner gala will also spotlight Matt Clark, recipient of the 2009 Partner in the Arts Award. The annual Partner in the Arts Award honors an individual (or couple) who has supported the arts and enriched the St. George artistic community. Previous recipients include Doug and Elaine Alder, Sue and the late Merv Cox, and L’Deane Trueblood.
Art Around the Corner is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to supporting the arts and enriching the community of St. George. It has been a major force behind projects like the restoration of the Opera House and building the St. George Art Museum and Social Hall. Ongoing Foundation undertakings include the Art Around the Corner open-air sculpture exhibit and the Partner in the Arts Award.
