2024 August Newsletter

August 2024 What’s Happening

2024 August Newsletter

CALL FOR ENTRIES

Artists – it’s time to submit your work to be considered for the 2025-26 Outdoor Sculpture Gallery! Step one is to complete the online application. You may submit up to two pieces; a separate entry fee is required for each. All the details are here. Entries must be submitted no later than October 31, 2024.

Artist Spotlight – Jonathan Morgan

HEMEROSCOPIUM by Jonathan Morgan of South Weber, UT
HEMEROSCOPIUM by Jonathan Morgan of South Weber, UT

Jonathan Morgan’s art is about bringing awareness to the human condition. He believes that often, we misinterpret the world because we rely too much on our eyes, neglecting the other senses. This is particularly true in how we view and interpret art. By relying too much on our eyes, we can miss the full sensory experience of what a work of art offers to the mind and the heart. Ultimately, what informs his art is the ardent belief that life is richer when we orient away from ourselves and focus on others. When we connect with and learn from each other, we finally see the grandeur of the world with eyes wide open. 

Board Member Spotlight

Bill McMurrin, AACF Board Member

Bill McMurrin

Bill is a practicing architect whose career started in Los Angeles, CA before working in St. George for the past 30 years. He attended California State University, Northridge, where he received a BA degree and he holds a professional graduate degree in architecture from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He is a principle in the firm MESA Consulting Architects in St. George. Bill has served on several committees for cities in Washington County tasked with development issues and community beautification. He also is a board member of two non-profit conservation organizations engaged in the protection of open lands in Southern Utah and in land conservation for wildlife in the West centered around Yellowstone National Park. Bill’s interest in the arts and how the arts can positively affect communities has brought him to Art Around the Corner.

Dad by Deveren Farley

Article: ‘Dad’ the dragon sculpture by Deveren Farley makes a permanent home in Bountiful, Utah

According to Fox 13, “‘Dad‘ was created by Utah artist Deveren Farley. His scales are made from about 1,100 Utah license plates, and his wings are made from street signs.

“’Dad’ is named after the artist’s father, and we’re honored to have him in our town square, which really was designed with family in mind,” said Hill.

Bountiful was leasing ‘Dad’ from St. George, but just last week, city councilors decided to purchase the dragon and make Bountiful Dad’s permanent home.

“I’ve been really surprised at how many people love it and how many people have come back to see it and posted about it,” said Kendalyn Harris, Mayor of Bountiful.

Recently, the city started bringing uplifting pieces of public art to the downtown area, said Harris.

“It really helps bring kind of a whimsical, fun nature and educational component,” she said. “It’s a fun way to get people to come out and to get talking.”

Dad by Deveren Farley
Dad by Deveren Farley

Source article: https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/dad-the-dragon-sculpture-makes-permanent-home-in-bountiful

Bird Woman by Cheryl Collins and Trent Ripplinger

News: ‘Bird Woman’ with 20-foot wingspan replaces roundabout dragon in St. George

Bird Woman by Cheryl Collins and Trent Ripplinger
Bird Woman by Cheryl Collins and Trent Ripplinger

According to a recent article by Jessi Bang at St. George News, “From a 100-pound bronze tortoise to a 12-foot-tall bird woman, Art Around the Corner has gone big this year, and you’ll want to stroll downtown to see the new artwork for yourself. On Saturday, Art Around the Corner began its 19th year by installing nearly 30 new sculptures and works of 3D art in Historic Town Square and Main Street, with additional pieces placed at the St. George Regional Hospital. The program coordinates with artists to bring their pieces to St. George and display them along city streets, in parks, inside and outside the City Hall and the hospital.”

Bird Woman by Cheryl Collins and Trent Ripplinger

Video: 2023 Installation – Art Around the Corner

By Melissa Anderson – Community Education Channel

Art Around the Corner reveals new art sculptures in 19th season in downtown St. George

ST. GEORGE, Utah – (4/1/2023) – Celebrating 19 years, Art Around the Corner installed the newest displayed works in downtown St. George on Saturday. Art Around the Corner is a non-profit organization funded through donations and the Washington County RAP tax bringing diverse art pieces to the area on loan for one year. Artists from across the country brought their latest original sculptures and pieces and talked about what inspired them on these latest creations.

30 Sculptures from 2022 Gallery

News: Free outdoor Art Around the Corner gallery returns to St. George

According to a recent article by The Spectrum & Daily News, “St. George’s popular outdoor sculpture gallery Art Around the Corner makes its return this spring, with a full collection of pieces set for installation on April 1. The new collection is planned to feature nearly 30 new sculptures and works of 3D art, installed along the parks and sidewalks in the city’s historic downtown district, with some going in at the St. George Regional Hospital. Now in its 19th year, Art Around the Corner is run by an all-volunteer nonprofit that coordinates with artists to bring their pieces to St. George and have them displayed along city streets, in parks, and in and around City Hall. Those interested can take a self-guided tour or download a map from the group’s website, artaroundthecorner.org.

30 Sculptures from 2022 Gallery
30 Sculptures from our 2022 gallery · photography by Joseph Cowdell
Dad by Deveren Farley Installation Day, 9 April 2022

News: Highly-Anticipated Sculpture Collection To Be Updated Throughout St. George

According to a recent article by The Independent, “In keeping with a 19-year tradition, the Art Around the Corner Foundation (AACF) is once again partnering with the City of St. George to bring world-class public art to town. On April 1, nearly 30 new sculptures and works of 3D art will be installed in Historic Town Square and Main Street, with additional works to be placed at St. George Regional Hospital.”

Dad by Deveren Farley Installation Day, 9 April 2022
“Dad” by Deveren Farley installation 9 April 2022 · photograph by Joseph Cowdell