Arts to Zion names new board members, forecasts 2017 studio tour

Arts to Zion is an arts advocacy organization in Southern Utah. Photo on the right shows a watercolor by St. George artist Karen March, whose work will be included in the 2017 Arts to Zion tour, which invites the public to see artists at work in their home studios, galleries, museums and in plein air. The 2017 tour will be held Jan. 12-15, 2017, in Southern Utah | Images courtesy of Arts to Zion, St. George News composite
Cedar City artist Mary Jabens paints in plein air at Silver Reef near Leeds, Utah, date not specified. Jabens will be one of the featured artists during the Arts to Zion 2017 studio tour, which invites the public to see artists at work in their home studios, galleries, museums and in plein air. The 2017 tour will be held Jan. 12-15, 2017, in Southern Utah | Photo courtesy of Arts to Zion, St. George News
Cedar City artist Mary Jabens paints in plein air at Silver Reef near Leeds, Utah, date not specified. Jabens will be one of the featured artists during the Arts to Zion 2017 studio tour Jan. 12-15, 2017, in Southern Utah | Photo courtesy of Arts to Zion, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – The Southern Utah-based arts advocacy organization, Arts to Zion, recently named six new members to its advisory board and announced its annual art and studio tour upcoming in January 2017.

The organization anticipates the new board members will contribute leadership to the expanding mission and purpose of the arts-based organization.

New members include: Ami Comeford of Utah Humanities Council and Dixie State University; Becky Cox of Arts Council of Washington County and Artful Healing Academy; Wendi, Mangum of LearnKey; J. Dan Mead of Zion Artisans; Daphne Schroth of Dixie Watercolor Society; and Melynda Thorpe of Emceesquare Media and Georgefest.

Artist David Koch at work in Southern Utah, date not specified. Koch will be one of the featured artists during the Arts to Zion 2017 studio tour, which invites the public to see artists at work in their home studios, galleries, museums and in plein air. The 2017 tour will be held Jan. 12-15, 2017, in Southern Utah | Photo courtesy of Arts to Zion, St. George News
Artist David Koch at work in Southern Utah, date not specified. Koch will be one of the featured artists with work displayed at The Mission Gallery in Ancestor Square, St. George, during the Arts to Zion 2017 studio tour Jan. 12-15, 2017, in Southern Utah | Photo courtesy of Arts to Zion, St. George News

“Arts to Zion is expanding in its purpose and mission,” said Bobbi Wan-kier, Arts to Zion founder and board chair. “Each new board member brings added expertise, breadth and depth, and we are thrilled to have such a solid team representing the arts and artists of southern Utah.”

In the coming new year, the organization will host its sixth consecutive “Arts to Zion” Art and Studio Tour, Jan. 12-15, 2017, featuring hubs in St. George, Springdale, Kayenta and Leeds.

The theme for the 2017 tour will be “The Sound of Art,” pairing artists with live musicians at various tour destinations. See the tour map linked here.

This photo shows an oil painting titled "Peek a Boo" by St. George artist Rhett Ashby who will be one of the featured artists during the Arts to Zion 2017 studio tour. The tour invites the public to see artists at work in their home studios, galleries, museums and in plein air and will be held Jan. 12-15, 2017, in Southern Utah | Photo courtesy of Arts to Zion, St. George News
This photo shows an oil painting titled “Peek a Boo” by St. George artist Rett Ashby who will be one of the featured artists with work displayed at Authentique Gallery of Art and Design in St. George during the Arts to Zion 2017 studio tour. | Photo courtesy of Arts to Zion, St. George News

New board members join with the existing Arts to Zion Advisory Board: Wan-kier (chair); Ken Sizemore of Santa Clara City Council; Dan Robison of Daniel R. Robison PC; and Paula Bell of Proforma Business Communications and Arts Council of Washington County.

The organization, established in 2012, is committed to providing experiential art events within Southern Utah that are both arts-centered and culturally-based.

“Southern Utah is well-known for having a rich culture of fine artists,” Wan-kier said, “and our goal is to help that culture continue to grow, and to continue connecting artists with buyers.”

The purpose of Arts to Zion is to facilitate plein-air events, studio tours and cultural events such as historical lectures, musical performances, literary events and arts-related film screenings.

The organization also aims to make cultural events accessible to the local community and tourists by providing maps and online services, recommending museums and providing gallery display opportunities for local artists.

The Arts to Zion Showcase/Gallery 35 is located at 35 N. Main St. in the heart of the Historic Downtown district of St. George.

For more information about Arts to Zion, visit artstozion.com.

This photo shows the work of artist Royden Card who will be one of the featured artists during the Arts to Zion 2017 studio tour. The tour invites the public to see artists at work in their home studios, galleries, museums and in plein air and will be held Jan. 12-15, 2017, in Southern Utah | Photo courtesy of Arts to Zion, St. George News
This photo shows the work of artist Royden Card who will be one of the featured artists during the Arts to Zion 2017 studio tour. The tour invites the public to see artists at work in their home studios, galleries, museums and in plein air and will be held Jan. 12-15, 2017, in Southern Utah | Photo courtesy of Arts to Zion, St. George News

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1 Comment

  • .... November 26, 2016 at 12:38 pm

    This is absolutely fantastic news and I’m sure this will result in a positive reaction from the community and I would like to thank all those involved in making this possible. I’m excited about the shows and looking forward to making these shows and spending time with friends and loved ones. .

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