Artists have sought to capture the beauty of The Grand Canyon for centuries – making it the ideal place for a celebration of visual arts. The eleventh annual Grand Canyon Celebration of the Arts – a fundraiser generating resources for a future South Rim arts venue – returns this month. But don’t think this is a stuffy art event. Mindy Riesenberg, a spokesperson for the Celebration of the Arts, described it as fun and casual, but of the same caliber as a museum opening.
“You can be in your hiking boots,” says Mindy, as you watch artists practice their craft. From Sept. 7 to 15, 23 plein air (French words meaning “open air” that also refer to painting in the outdoors) artists will take to their easels and paint throughout the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Check the website for locations and details. Artists are free to interpret the Grand Canyon as they choose. Expect to see modern, geometric and true-to-life paintings. New this year? An artist painting with water colors. Most use oils.
Select artists will participate in a Meet and Greet on Sept. 13 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Verkamp’s Visitor Center. Head to the Bright Angel trailhead on Sept. 14 to watch artists participate in a Quick Draw. During this event, artists have roughly four hours to visit the rim and complete quick paintings that are auctioned off afterward.
Can’t make the plein air event? Then head to the Kolb Studio where you can see the artist’s plein air and other Grand Canyon-inspired paintings. The exhibit and sale starts at 11 a.m. on Sept. 15 and runs until Jan. 20, 2020. All these events are open to the public and free with admission to Grand Canyon National Park.
Whether it’s your first trip to the Grand Canyon or you’re a frequent visitor, seeing artists paint the natural wonder a one-of-a-kind way to experience the Canyon. “It’s a way to see the Canyon in a very different way than you could put into words,” says Mindy. − Teresa K. Traverse
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