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Online Auction of Small-Scale Sculptures Announced in April

ST. GEORGE, UT — March 27, 2021 — In what has become one of the most eagerly-anticipated rites of spring in Southern Utah, the Art Around the Corner Foundation (AACF) announced the completion of its 2021 annual outdoor sculpture galleries. Located in St. George Town Square, at St. George City Hall, and at St. George Regional Hospital, the collection includes more than 30 works created by renowned artists from across the U.S. and has a cumulative value in excess of $400,000. From April 16-23, AAFC will offer for sale, via an online auction, small-scale sculptures – created by the same artists whose sculptures are now installed publicly. All auction pieces will be on display at the St. George Art Museum, 47 E 200 N, from March 31 through April 23. The Website to register for the auction will be live soon at https://www.AACauction.givesmart.com

The new exhibit includes works by several beloved local artists, including “Desert Rat” by Matt Clark, “Emissaries of Light” by Marcia Robinson-Rouse, and “Love the Earth,” by Cheryl Collins, which has been purchased by St. George Regional Hospital, and now welcomes patients and families who are visiting the facility’s emergency department.

Additionally, Minneapolis, MN.-based artist Kimber Fiebiger – whose popular “Egghead” sculpture now resides permanently in front of the St. George Children’s Museum – has installed “The Fool” near the carousel in Town Square, while Reven Marie Swanson of Denver, CO, contributed “Good Morning Sunshine,” a kinetic work that rotates in the afternoon winds. Also returning for the new show is National Sculpture Society Fellow Gary Lee Price of Springville, UT, whose “Harriet Tubman” sculpture honors the iconic abolitionist and political activist.

“As the skies get brighter and the days get warmer in St. George, we always look forward to the new sculptures being installed around town by Art Around the Corner,” said St. George Mayor Michelle Randall. “Our beautiful city becomes even more so each year when the new collection is put in place. We appreciate the hard work of the Art Around the Corner Foundation, and value our ongoing collaboration with this wonderful organization.”

Since 2004, AACF has curated and installed public art in Historic Downtown St. George each year. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, its annual artists gala and installation was postponed. With the final placement on March 27 of 10 new pieces downtown and at the hospital, the 2021-2022 exhibit is now ready for local residents and visitors to enjoy free of charge, any time of the day or night. All large-scale pieces in the collection are available for sale or lease. Those interested in acquiring a sculpture can contact AACF at info@ArtAroundtheCorner.org.
About Art Around the Corner

The Art Around the Corner Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the arts, enriching the community, and bringing fine arts to Greater St. George. The Foundation’s flagship project is the Outdoor Sculpture Galleries, a collection of sculptures from nationally renowned artists. The Foundation is supported in part by the City of St. George RAP Tax and Washington County RAP Tax, as well as annual City and County acquisitions of the artwork, and numerous sponsors in the community and beyond.

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Sculptures and 3D artwork appearing downtown, uptown, and at the hospital

ST. GEORGE – More than 30 original sculptures and 3D works of art are being installed in St. George this month, courtesy of the Art Around the Corner Foundation (AACF). Following a year’s extension – due to the COVID-19 pandemic – of the sculpture gallery installed in 2019 at Town Square, St. George City Hall and St. George Regional Hospital, AACF will be welcoming artists to town during March to put brand-new pieces in place.

The new collection will include sculptures from beloved St. George-based artists, including Matt Clark, Marcia Robinson-Rouse and Cheryl Collins, as well as northern Utah sculptors Deveren Farley, Dana Kuglin, Gary Lee Price and Dan Toone. In addition, local residents and visitors will once again enjoy the work of artisans from Minnesota, California, Colorado, Idaho and other states.

“Art Around the Corner’s 2021-2022 Outdoor Sculpture Gallery will be the perfect celebration of a community reconnecting after a very challenging year,” said AACF Board Chair Marianne Hamilton. “The new show includes a very diverse range of styles and materials, from traditional bronze sculptures, to pieces crafted from recycled and reclaimed metal components, and will feature everything from a winged angel to a revered historical figure to a heavy-metal rocker.”

Now in its 17th year, the all-volunteer, nonprofit AACF curates and installs sculptures and 3D artwork from artists located across the U.S. Each artist agrees to loan their work to the City of St. George for one year, and all pieces are offered for sale or lease. Since Art Around the Corner was founded in 2004, the organization has installed hundreds of works of art, and has facilitated nearly $1,000,000 in sales. AACF partners closely with the City of St. George to make public art available to the community, installing sculptures in Historic Town Square and along Main Street in the Arts District. Since 2019, AACF has installed artwork at St. George Regional Hospital.

“Art Around the Corner has been an amazing addition to the art district in the City of St. George for the past 17 years, bringing a world class outdoor art exhibit,” said St. George City Councilwoman Dannielle Larkin. “Art that is readily available for public viewing elevates the human experience, elicits joy and brings smiles to faces. I encourage all residents to take a moment next time they are downtown and take a stroll to see all of the new and beautiful installations.”

Art Around the Corner’s new outdoor sculpture gallery will be installed over several weekends during the month of March. The full collection will be in place ahead of the 2021 St. George Art Festival, slated for April 2-3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Town Square. The public is invited to view the new sculptures, which can be enjoyed free of charge at any time, day or night. For more information, visit www.sgartfestival.com.

About Art Around the Corner

The Art Around the Corner Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the arts, enriching the community, and bringing fine art to the heart of historic St. George. The Foundation’s flagship project is its Outdoor Sculpture Gallery, a collection of sculptures from nationally renowned artists. The show changes each spring, with approximately two dozen pieces installed annually.

Renowned artist Angela Mia De la Vega donates sculpture to City of St. George

“Anika” included in 2021 Art Around the Corner show, will be given permanent home within city limits

ST. GEORGE — At the Feb. 4 meeting of the St. George City Council, Dallas-based artist Angela Mia De la Vega was honored for the gift of her bronze sculpture, “Anika,” to the City. De la Vega generously donated the artwork – valued at $8,500 – to become part of the City’s permanent public art collection, following its installation as part of the current Art Around the Corner outdoor sculpture gallery.

Standing 3-feet tall, “Anika” clutches a duckling to her chest while gazing off into the distance. De la Vega crafted and named the sculpture in honor of her then 3-year-old goddaughter, whose mother grew up on a farm. 

“Anika’s mom definitely encouraged her children to love animals and nature, so the duckling represents that love,” De la Vega said. “As it turns out, Anika is now 14 and a fantastic artist in her own right.”

De la Vega, a lifelong sculptor, says her artistic talents became evident at a young age. 

“I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t drawing,” she recalled. “Also, my mom always said that I started sculpting my mashed potatoes when I was still in my high-chair. She and my stepfather were both educators, and they supported and nurtured my love of art throughout my life.”

A Summa Cum Laude graduate of Clarion University of Pennsylvania, De la Vega completed undergraduate and post-graduate studies at the University of Madrid, Spain. She is a member of the National Sculpture Society, American Women Artists and was named a Living Master by the prestigious Art Renewal Center. 

“Freedom of spirit is my work’s purpose: to uplift and inspire feelings of pure love and joy,” De la Vega said. “When I heard that ‘Anika’ had been well-received by the St. George community while she was part of the Art Around the Corner show and that she was bringing people joy, I just felt that she needed to stay in St. George. As an artist, it’s very affirming to know that your work has been embraced and celebrated.”

St. George Mayor Michele Randall said De la Vega’s donation is greatly appreciated by the entire St. George community.

“Anika perfectly embodies the innocence of the very young,” Randall said. “She will be prized by everyone who sees her, for years to come.”

The sculpture will be installed at a permanent location, with the site to be determined. 

About Art Around the Corner

The Art Around the Corner Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the arts, enriching the community, and bringing fine art to the heart of historic St. George. The Foundation’s flagship project is its Outdoor Sculpture Gallery, a collection of sculptures from nationally renowned artists. The show changes each spring, with approximately two dozen pieces installed annually.

Written by David Louis / published in St George News / August 23, 2020

Quickly becoming known as a destination to see, participate in and enjoy art, each year St. George residents and visitors can enjoy an ever-changing collection of metal sculptures that dot the city from uptown to downtown.

South Jordan resident Richard Prazen, a metalworker and artist takes great joy anytime he can showcase his sculptures for St. George’s Art Around the Corner’s annual Outdoor Sculpture Galleries collection.

One sculpture added through the efforts of the local nonprofit foundation Art Around the Corner, “Jules Vern II” can now be pondered over by art enthusiasts near the main terminal of the St. George Regional Airport.

The piece has been on display in the outdoor sculpture gallery at Town Square Park, but was recently moved to the airport where it will have the honor of a permanent home.

The work is the creation of South Jordan resident artist Richard Prazen.

The sculpture is a towering steampunk-style airship. Hard to describe, it harkens back to the days of air travel in blimps and dirigibles, where the dress code was petticoats, suits, top hats and canes.

The difference is that a steampunk-style airship sculpture combines fanciful imagery of gears, chains, propellers, wings, steam-powered engines and submarines while stretching the artistic envelope by stringing well-armed pirate ships below the blimps and Zeppelins.

Jules Vern II has a mix of “look at me” functional components that move and spin in the wind that gives the sculpture the illusion of flight, much like the movement of a weathervane atop a quintessential midwestern barn.

“These really add beautiful details,” Prazen said. “A piece like this is meant to create wonder, but it’s just fun to combine everything together in the final work of art.”

Prazen, 67, a third-generation artist, blacksmith and sculptor, has been creating art and welded architectural metalwork for more than 50 years. Among his other accomplishments is an instructor of metal sculpture at Salt Lake Community College.

Richard Prazen’s sculptures have been commissioned by patrons such as the United States Air Force Thunderbirds and Salt Lake City’s Lagoon Amusement Park. Each piece is crafted with great care.

His approach to sculpture combines pragmatism with a sense of adventure and the feeling that anything is possible.

“It’s pretty important to start with a plan,” he said. “You’ve got to have some kind of a visual plan to work from. It starts from one place, but it can also keep growing in the vision and the creation. When I’m working on a piece there is a certain amount of winging it … but there is a plan to start with.”

Along with the personal connection to his creations, Prazen said the appreciation of art is something to pass along to the next generation.

“It’s great to get adults, but mostly children thinking about cool … unconventional ideas … transformed into art,” he said. “It’s definitely a journey, definitely a discovery.”

Marianne Hamilton, chairman of the board of directors with Art Around the Corner, agrees that art is meant to be passed along to future generations.

“It’s very exciting for the kids,” Hamilton said. “They love to make art … and we are hoping through this we will create the artists of the future.”

The Art Around the Corner’s Foundation’s goal is to support the arts, enrich the community and bring fine arts to St. George that can be celebrated by local residents and out-of-town visitors.

“Oh wow,” said 10-year-old Elizebeth Taylor, standing in front of a gigantic metal guitar in Town Square Park.

The Taylor family, on vacation from Australia prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, was in “awe” of the art, galleries and one special ice cream shop downtown – Thomas Judd’s Store.

Dan Hill’s “Reflections,” one of this year’s outdoor metal sculptures in Art Around the Corner’s collection.

“When we saw (Dan Hill’s Reflections), Lizzie couldn’t stop giggling, (saying) ‘mommy she looks just like me,’ ” said Brittany, Elizebeth’s mom, as her daughter noticed the little girl’s angelic face staring into a handmirror. “How did they get a picture of me?”

Mom couldn’t come up with an adequate answer to satisfy her daughter’s question, so it was quickly off to an ice cream cone with Elizebeth’s name on it to distract from the perpetual follow-up question “why mommy.”

The foundation’s flagship project is the Outdoor Sculpture Galleries, a collection of sculptures from nationally renowned artists.

The foundation is supported in part by the city of St. George, along with Recreational, Arts, and Parks Tax funding, annual city and county acquisitions of artwork, along with numerous sponsors and donors within the community and beyond its borders.

Each year, Art Around the Corner installs approximately 25-30 new sculptures and pieces of three-dimensional art in downtown St. George along with a portion of the collection at Dixie Regional Medical Center.

The works are created by nationally renowned artists who agree to loan them to the city of St. George for one year. All pieces are available for purchase or lease. In its 16 years, the foundation has made possible the sales of more than $1 million in pieces of art to a variety of buyers.

Along with Jules Vern II, Prazen has another sculpture, “Window in Time” located on the corner of Main and Tabernacle streets near the Wells Fargo Bank downtown.

By JJ DeForest, The Spectrum, Published May 9, 2019

A controversial public art piece has found a permanent home with a St. George business. The giant spider sculpture formerly displayed on Main Street will now serve as mascot for a pest control company.

Local arachnophobes may be relieved the sculpture no longer inhabits the Main Street traffic circle but according to its creator, it had a devoted group of fans. “This is the very first piece in the 12 years that I’ve done Art Around the Corner, that I had people show up, set out chairs, take pictures while I was taking it down because they were going to miss it,” said artist Deveren Farley. “I had people asking for autographs.”

Fans of the eight-legged wonder can visit their friend at its new home in front of Morgan Pest Control on Hilton Drive. “It’s an iconic thing for St. George,” said Dave Kipp, owner of the exterminator service. “We’re tickled to keep it here.” Kipp and others assisted Farley Wednesday morning as he reassembled the sculpture in its new location.

When Kipp opened the shop four years ago, he wanted a giant scorpion to top his business sign but cost and engineering considerations made that unworkable. Kipp’s quest for a grand insect ended when he and his crew saw the spider go up last year during the annual outdoor art exhibit.

“Utah license plates all over the head, the stop sign under the belly for the black widow, it’s just perfect,” he said. Kipp’s okay with bugs and crawly critters but Farley admits it was the screams and shudders his other, smaller spiders received that inspired him to create the monster. Farley said that his inspiration for “Giant Spider” came from the customer reactions he got when he displayed his works at a fall craft show. “People would come by my booth and they’d see all the spiders and they’d get scared,” he said. “And I’m like, they’re fake. It’s ok.”

Coincidentally, his application for Art Around the Corner was due about the same time. “I thought, honestly how funny would it be to do a giant spider and see if people were scared by it or not,” he said. The sculpture has evoked strong responses from both sides. When the exhibit ended in April, Farley found his spider had more than one suitor. Morgan Pest Control and The Fiesta Fun Center both expressed interest in making the work their own.

“Art is to bring out emotion in people and seeing all the emotion that this guy brought out, that’s why when two companies wanted it, instead of making them have a bidding war, I thought a better option would be just to make another,” Farley said. Once the installation was complete, Farley headed to the entertainment venue to take measurements for a second behemoth set to straddle the mini-golf course. He said the new sculpture will be about the same size as the original. “Giant Spider” stands 17-feet tall and has a circumference of about 22 feet. Each leg weighs about 220 pounds. The head and body are hollow and are made of galvanized steel and Utah license plates. Total weight is just about a ton. Once the new spider is in place, Farley will have a total of six sculptures on permanent display in and around St. George.

Farley’s entry in this year’s exhibit is already sold. The City of St. George announced it would purchase “Power” a 12-foot long snake sculpture currently on display at Town Square and destined to impress visitors to Snake Hollow Bike Park next year. “I guess it just fits perfect there.” The work is also composed of license plates. Farley has a special source for them. The Salt Lake City evidence department hands over a variety of metal objects collected from crime scenes. “So, every license plate on that has been stolen,” he said.