Chris Caldwell | Dixie Sun
Artists from St. George and surrounding cities came together for the Art to Zion Tour that allowed members of the community to visit various studios and galleries. Hoping to start a new tradition, artists work with mediums including paintings, jewelry, photography, ceramics, and furniture.
The Arts to Zion Studio Tour isn't only a fun way to spend the weekend, but is also helping to bring tourism and attention to art in southern Utah.
Bobbi Wan-kier is the woman behind Arts to Zion. She said the project began after she became involved with the Change Leader Institution—part of the requirements for involvement with Change Leader included a project. Wan-kier chose to pull the studio tour together after brainstorming with Kathy Cieslewicz, the curator of the Sears Art Gallery. Of course, Wan-kier said the tour has become much bigger than originally anticipated.
"The studio tour grew into a much bigger project but it was so exciting, and I was in a position to be able to put the time into it," Wan-kier said. "It's more of a spiritual thing for me. It's happening, and I have the privilege of being part of the bigger picture."
Cieslewicz said the art tour was important because it would help put Southern Utah's artist community on the map.
"Really, [Arts to Zion] is something we anticipate for every year to have people come from all over the country to," Cieslewicz said. "We're trying to become an arts buyer destination."
Wan-kier has similar goals for what Arts to Zion can do for the community. She said she hopes Arts to Zion will bring more tourism to St. George.
"We're getting hits from all over the world on our website," Wan-kier said. "It's viral reach is amazing."
Wan-kier also said art tours give artists publicity and access to business like interior decorators.
"Studio tour means buy direct from artists to a lot of businesses," Wan-kier said. "Any retail shop that works with handmade things would be interested in coming to a studio tour to buy from the artists. "
Cieslewicz said the Arts to Zion tour will provide students at Dixie a fun activity for the weekend.
"This would be such a fun thing for students to do," she said. "Students are always wondering what to do but there's a ton of stuff going on all the time in the city."
Tickets cost $10 and come with a map of the studios in St. George participating in the tour. There will also be a drawing for a weekend at Kayenta. Students can be eligible for the drawing by getting ten places to sign their ticket (these places also include businesses that display art but aren't part of the studio tour itself). On Monday, at 5 p.m., there will be a silent auction—the funds will go towards funding for the artists throughout the year and the second tour next year.
The Arts to Zion Studio Tour will be going on Saturday through Monday. Tickets can be purchased at the St. George Art Center.
is a member of the 
Be the first to comment on this article!