Join us for the Escalante Canyons Art Festival, Come celebrate the stunning public lands of Utah’s canyon country. Hosted in Escalante, Utah along Scenic Byway 12 between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks in the heart of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Plein air and studio competitions, art exhibits, on-site sales, workshops, demonstrations, arts and crafts fair, live music, guided walks, and much more.

Schedule Of Events:

8:30 am – 11:00 am - Carol Benally: Monsoon Clouds
Monsoon clouds come in many shapes and sizes. I will bring some  pictures for you to look at while You paint along with me. Beginning with cloud shapes in perspective  using oil paint, we will create a composition of clouds. First with vine charcoal and then with paint.  Then we will be painting using various colors and techniques. I will mix paints while you follow along.  As I paint, I will stop so I can work with you on your understanding and techniques.

Location: Escalante Town Park – Hands on Art Tent

9:00 am – 10:00 am - Escalante Historic Walking Tour – Saturday
Tour begins at the Peoples Exchange, one of Escalante’s most photographed historic buildings.  Come along to learn more about many of the historic structures throughout town.  Escalante was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013 as a National Historic District with areas of noted significance in architecture, social history, commerce, agriculture, and exploration/settlement.  

Location: Meet at People’s Exchange
100 North Center Street
Escalante, 84726

10:00 am – 5:00 pm - Art Exhibit and Overflow Sales
The Art Exhibit and Sale is the highlight of the festival and showcases artwork submitted for all competition categories. Each year, artists compete in the Plein Air, Studio Work and Junior categories. The festival mixes it up each year with possible Nocturne, Miniature, Drawing and Abstract competitions.

Location: Escalante Town Park – Exhibit Tent

10:00 am – 4:00 pm - Quilt Exhibition
Every quilt has a story. Visit the Quilt Exhibit and enjoy the art, workmanship, and history of these beautiful quilts.

Also on display are some of the Best of Show winning artwork from across the years since the festival began.

Location: Escalante Multi-Purpose Center
89 North 100 West

11:00 am – 12:30 pm - Bohemian Cowboy
Bohemian Cowboy is a 20 year, ongoing musical collaboration by singer/songwriter Raymond King Shurtz & musician Eric Scott Bresselsmith. The two first met at a Boulder community event that featured a collection of musicians playing classic songs. Raymond joined in and called out “Your Cheatin’ Heart boys!”. After leading another handful songs, Raymond held his hand out to Eric & introduced himself. That was the beginning of a deep & lasting friendship bonded by their love for music, rural culture & living the artist way.

Location: Escalante Town Park – Festival Stage

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm - Skógafoss
Skógafoss is a four-member band that includes a father/daughter duo in Ellie Geslison and Mark Geslison. Rounding out the band is Emily Wall and Geoff Groberg. Ellie plays the fiddle and the Norwegian hardanger fiddle. Emily plays accordion. Geoff plays guitar and banjo. Mark plays mandolin, DADGAD-tuned guitar, and bodhrán (an Irish musical drum). Mark is Icelandic due to his paternal grandparents being native-born Icelanders. Mark is married to Jeanette Geslison who is a native of Odense, Denmark. Ellie, being half Danish and a quarter Icelandic, has Scandinavian music in her blood. She spends a lot of time in Denmark where she has learned most of the music that Skógafoss plays. Geoff and Emily both have Scandinavian blood as well. Geoff is part Swedish, and Emily is part Danish.

Location: Escalante Town Park – Festival Stage

12:00 pm – 3:00 pm - Tera Connor: Create a Gourd Birdhouse
Students are invited to bring an apron or a paint shirt. In this engaging art class, you will create a birdhouse for your cherished feathered companions. You’ll have the chance to choose a gourd from various sizes and shapes. Next, students will meticulously clean and scrape the gourds to get them ready for their new role as birdhouses. We will be using drills for this project. A beautiful stain will be applied to the exterior of each gourd. By the end of the class, students will take home their very own gourd birdhouse.

Location: Escalante Town Park – Hands on Art Tent

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm - Uli Geissendoerfer Trio
German-American pianist, composer and educator, Uli Geissendoerfer, is a remarkable musician exploring rhythms and melodies across many styles of music. He is faculty at UNLV and lead the Latin Ensemble to six Downbeat Awards. He founded the Jazz Club at the Dispensary Lounge (13 years and counting), and several other programs including Vegas Records. He has shared the stage with hundreds of famous artists on the road, in his club, and in the studio.  Currently he released 8 CD’s as leader and is presenting his Trio with their CD Long Way Home and new material from their upcoming release. He is a sought after arranger and producer for artists like Ray Brown, Jr., William Cepeda, Laura Taylor, and many more.

Location: Escalante Town Park – Festival Stage

4:00 pm – 5:00 pm - Awards Ceremony
The Art Festival Committee invites you to meet the artists who have won awards for their work. The paintings will be exhibited and the artists may take a (well deserved) bow.

Location: Escalante Town Park – Outside Exhibit Tent