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Final Friday Art Walks from June through Sept.

The Cedar City Arts Council Presents: Final Friday Art Walks

 

The Cedar City Arts Council Presents: Final Friday Art Walks

By Shay Baruffi

CEDAR CITY, UT: It’s that time of year again in Cedar City, the Final Friday Art Walks are here! The Cedar City Arts Council is happy to announce the 5th Annual Cedar City Art Walk. This year we have eight participating locations in a concentrated area, spreading from Artisan’s Art Gallery on University Blvd (Center St.) to 300 West at the Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA). Exhibits and live music also available along 100 West.

The Final Friday Art Walks feature various art forms; live jazz, contemporary and classical music, and art demonstrations. The Cedar City Arts Council invites you to the Final Friday Art Walks on; June 29th, July 27th, August 31st and September 28th from 5 to 8 p.m. The Final Friday Art Walks are free events and the exhibits are open throughout the summer. Everyone is encouraged to attend!

The Final Friday Art Walks are scheduled during the top tourist season in Cedar City, we hope to create enthusiasm from the local community as well as summer visitors. All of the participating businesses and galleries are located in or near the downtown area and within walking distance of the Utah Shakespeare Festival and Southern Utah University.

The first Final Friday Art Walk will be on June 29th from 5 to 8 p.m. and it will be featuring various artists. There will be artist demonstrations and exhibits, from the Sagebrush Fiber Artisans Guild on the lawn at 100 West and Center. Carved wood bowls by Steven Dunn, Horsehair bracelets and paintings by Carole Foster, art by Joey Favino, Andy Levine, and more will be presented throughout the evening in designated locations. Performances will be occurring thru the night.

Violin and guitar duo, Lindsay and Stan Szczesny will be at Stone Path from 5 to 6 p.m. Lindsay Szczesny’s violin students will be playing at Stone Path from 6 to 7 p.m.

The Washburn Family Bluegrass Band will be at Artisans Gallery from 5 to 6 p.m.  April MacPherson and Steven Swift of Mountaintop Sound will be performing from 6 to 7 p.m.

Sofie Scaletta, who sings and plays ukulele and guitar, is set for Art Works.

The Storytellers band will be playing at the SUMA Plaza. Yidan Guo will be doing watercolor demonstrations at this location, there will be make-n-take activities in the SUMA classroom and light refreshments will be available.

IG Winery will be hosting 3hattrio band with folk music and more. More information is soon to come, stay tuned!

For updates about featured artists and musicians visit the Cedar City Art Walk page at https://www.facebook.com/Cedar-City-Art-Walk-488202448044670.  Remember to save the dates for the later Final Friday Art Walks! Celebrate our city’s arts and culture this summer by bringing your family and friends to the Art Walk; we hope to see you there!

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WHAT: 2018 Cedar City Final Friday Art Walks

WHO: Cedar City Arts Council

WHEN:  June 29th to September 28th

WHERE: Downtown Cedar City, UT from Artisan’s Gallery to SUMA along University Blvd and down 100 West at participating Art Walk locations.

FREE and public invited

INFO: cedarcityartscouncil@gmail.com for more information.

More detail on performers:

At SUMA

The Storytellers is a band from Cedar City, Utah who performs a variety of music including: unique twists on popular oldies, pop music, rock/alternative, and their own original songs.  Each member brings something unique to the band which creates versatility as well as a distinct sound.  They can serenade, or they can rock your socks off!  Whatever you are looking for, you can find it at one of their performances.

At IG Winery

3hattrio includes Hal Cannon on vocals, banjo and guitar; Eli Wrankle on violin; and Greg Istock on stand-up bass.  Folk music and more. Video links and more info: https://www.facebook.com/3hattrio/

June 29

5 to 6 Stone Path,  Stan and Lindsay Szczesny

6 to 7 Stone Path, Students of Lindsay Szczesny

5 to 6 Artisans,  Washburn Family Bluegrass Band

6 to 7 Artisans  Mountaintop Sound (Steve Swift and April MacPherson)

5 to 8 Winery  3hattrio, band   (chandelier fused glass by Carrie Trenholm and metal work by Robin Twitchell)

5 to 8 Art Works, Sofie Scaletta,sings and plays ukulele and guitar, scheduled by Linda Kiley

5 to 7 SUMA plaza Storytellers band

Artists:

At 100 West and Center:  

Steven Dunn (wood bowl carving)

Carole Foster, horsehair bracelets and maybe paintings

Sagebrush Fiber Artisans Guild

Adrienne Marie and Amber, jewelry makers

Joey Favino at Stone Path

SUMA: live music by Storytellers (pop, rock, and originals) on the plaza

o watercolor demonstrations by Yidan Guo

o make-n-take activities in the classroom

o light refreshments on the plaza (lemonade, limeade, water, and iced tea)

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WHAT: 2018 Cedar City Final Friday Art Walks

WHO: Cedar City Arts Council

WHEN:  June 29th to September 28th

WHERE: Downtown Cedar City, UT from Artisan’s Gallery to SUMA along University Blvd and down 100 West at participating Art Walk locations.

FREE and public invited

INFO: cedarcityartscouncil@gmail.com for more information.

Events

Mini-Grants for Spring 2018

Jacob Lee: My Composer ‘In Residence

by Mary Anne Andersen for Iron County Today Column
     In the spirit of full disclosure, let me confess that Jacob Lee is my office mate at SUU.  We share a comfortable room with a new piano,  desk and comfy chair, and enough room to accommodate his double bass in the corner.  And he is a great roommate, never intruding on my designated hours or leaving stuff around.  He went to the store on the day after Halloween, bought sale candy, and filled up the bottom drawer of our filing cabinet with chocolate.  He didn’t even mind when I called dibs on all the Snickers bars.  Who could ask for more?
     So you might think that would explain why he was one of the recipients of our Cedar City Arts Council  Artists’ Mini-Grants this spring.  But in all honesty, he was truly deserving.  Jacob is a musician and composer of some success.  He has had work commissioned by the Orchestra of Southern Utah and composed and arranged several pieces that have been performed in Cedar City this season.  So when he asked for a grant to upgrade his composing set-up—new speakers—the committee was in complete agreement to help him. It was a fun moment when I left the notification letter on our desk for him to find.
     Kathleen Wells is another friend, although I didn’t connect the name on the application at first with the person I see and speak with regularly.  When she asked for help to purchase a new digital instrument for her piano studio and The Let’s Play Music program, we were glad to further the influence of a teacher.  We are suckers for requests from educators.
     Which is why we also awarded the before-school choir program at Fiddlers Elementary School funds to purchase music for programs they want to perform for their families and friends. The school PTA is supportive of this program, but PTA resources are always stretched, so we were pleased to give them a little help.
     Two music groups that contribute to the cultural atmosphere of our community will receive funds to further their work.  Harry Taylor’s group is an inter-faith alliance (CAIFA) that has performed a July Fourth patriotic concert in Cedar City since 2005.  They want some new music. Jay Jackson’s group, Canyon Reverb, performs regularly at the Senior Citizens’ Center and around Cedar City.  They would like to upgrade their equipment.  Yes and yes.
     As you can see, the Arts Council is very receptive to artists that contribute their skills to benefit the community.  In fact, it is perhaps the weightiest element in the application form.  Steve Swift, a musician and visual artist, is well known in this town for his talent in two genres.  Michael Colvin asked for help to publish his book about a chartreuse moose; he plans to read to children at the library.   A grant to Stephanie Flores’ AE&D Art Studio will allow three children who might not otherwise be able to participate to attend the studio’s after-school art classes.
     ….makes me feel like Bill Gates.
(Next deadline for mini-grants is Aug. 31.  Application at http://www.cedarcityartscouncil.org/support/quick-grants/
Emphasis on community art engagement and public art display or service required as part of mini-grants.)
Events

March 5 Public Social with Live Music and Membership Renewal Coupons

CEDAR CITY, UT: The Cedar City Arts Council sponsors networking socials for the community three times a year to become acquainted with some of the artists that live here in Iron County.  The Cedar City Arts Council’s next social will be Monday, March 5th in the large meeting room on the second floor of the Festival Hall in the Heritage Theatre. These events are meant to showcase and celebrate some of the artists who have received mini-grants from the Council.  Our objective is to have live music, art displays, and reports on the use that the recipients have made of their awarded funds.

This Spring social will include the presentation of an incentive/reward program available to members of the Arts Council. Various businesses in town have agreed to provide discounts in their establishments to current and new members of the Council.  The businesses will be recognized and thanked that night for their willingness to support the arts in Iron County.

Angie Hanks, a student at SUU, will perform an etude on her new clarinet, purchased in part with funds that she received as an Arts Council Mini-Grant recipient. Angie’s goal is to become the “the best teacher she can”. Fostering that desirable attitude is just what the Arts Council loves to be a part of.

A year ago, North Elementary School applied for and received a grant to launch a series of after-school art workshops.  Under the direction of Dawn Aerts, guest instructors taught the children to work in a variety of media, they studied skills such as basic drawing, composition, perspective, shading, line and form.  We have invited some students to discuss and show their work.  It will make you feel good about what is going on in our schools.

Carla Carpenter, harpist, has recently moved to Southern Utah and will be playing at the Social.  She has 35 years of experience in performance for community events and will play for the Social.  Common Ground presents “Summertime” by Gershwin and “Star of the County Down” for a St. Patrick’s preview as representatives for the Iron County Acoustic Music Association.  ICAMA received a mini-grant for upgraded lighting for their monthly shows featuring local musicians.

Refreshments will be provided by The Grind and Pastry Pub. You are invited to come to this free event to celebrate the Cedar City arts community. The days are getting longer and warmer.  Leave your homes and come celebrate the arts with us on March 5th at 7:00  p.m.

Who:  The Cedar City Arts Council

What:  Spring social

When:  March 5th, 2018 at 7pm

Where:  Cedar City, Utah. Festival Hall in the Heritage Center Theatre (upstairs conference room 7), easily accessed from 2nd floor of parking terrace over bridge.

Thanks to these businesses and organizations that are helping with membership coupons:
AE&D Art Studio
Artisans Art Gallery
Cedar City Children’s Musical Theater
Cedar City Jiu Jitsu and MMA
Cedar City Junior Ballet
Cedar Music Store and Studio
Centro
Color Country Art Supply
Do’s Hairstyle
Grind
Groovacious
Main Street Books
Neil Simon Festival
Orchestra of Southern Utah
Suzuki Strings Cedar City
Tae’s Tea
UPS Store
Whittlesticks
Wizz

Carla Carpenter, harpist
Common Ground
North Elementary art student project  received mini-grant
Angie Hanks, clarinet
Events

Arts Build Iron County Economy

Cedar City: A new national study by Americans for the Arts finds that the nation’s nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $166.3 billion in economic activity in 2015—$63.8 billion in spending by arts and cultural organizations and an additional $102.5 billion in event-related spending by their audiences. This activity supported 4.6 million jobs and generated $27.5 billion in government revenue.

The Cedar City Arts Council led the local effort on the study showing the impact of the arts on the local economy with cooperation from the Utah Shakespeare Festival, Cedar City/Brian Head Tourism Office, and Cedar City Economic Development. Several local arts groups submitted data and helped with patron surveys.

“By every measure, the results of Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 prove that the arts are an industry—a generator of government revenue, a cornerstone of tourism, and an employment powerhouse both locally and across the nation,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “Leaders who care about community and economic vitality, growing tourism, attracting an innovative workforce, and community engagement can feel good about choosing to invest in the arts.”

Iron County shows a significant impact from arts participation from both local residents and visitors. For example, direct arts industry expenditures were over $76 million with a population of 47,000 compared to Logan City with $31 million and a similar population to Iron County. “The arts impact adds up to a lot of jobs and local spending,” said Sara Penny, CCAC Board Member. “In contrasting Iron County with comparable communities all over the country it is clear that the arts are an increasingly important economic resource for our area.” This information will be valuable for community leaders, arts organizations, and individual artists. The arts spending is far-reaching: organizations pay employees, purchase supplies, contract for services, and acquire assets within the community.

Nationally, 34 percent of arts events attendees travel from outside the area and they spent about twice what local residents spend in addition to event tickets. Nearly 70 % of visitors indicate that they came to the county specifically to attend an arts or cultural event.

The arts are a big business and a contributor to government revenue through the economic activity generated above the investment of government grants. For example, a typical NEA grant requires matching funds plus a rigorous review and stewardship process. Nationally the government investment in the arts is about $5 billion and the government revenue generated by the arts is over $27 billion so there is a significant return on investment.

Locally, the average cultural attendee expenses are $126 per person plus admission costs to arts events. This results in over $62 million into the Iron County economy plus admission revenue.

Links for the complete Arts in Prosperity report include a map to check locations throughout the country:  http://blog.americansforthearts.org/2017/06/17/arts-economic-prosperity-5-how-the-nonprofit-arts-culture-industry-impacts-the-economy-in-your