Grand Canyon Celebration of Art
Grand Canyon Village, AZ
The magical Grand Canyon Celebration of Art that draws in artists and collectors from across the country each year is still happening, but it’s going to look a little different this time around. The majesty of the canyon and the community of support and friendship among artists remains, but the nearly week-long event will have a few changes, including an online silent auction as well as the exhibition and sale, which goes live online the week of September 21 and continues through January 18, 2021. If Kolb Studio is open to the public at that time, the exhibition will also be on view in-person.
With social distancing and other safety protocol in place, participating artists will still partake in the familiar and anticipated plein air painting sessions, but a little further from each other than usual. Collectors are also invited to come observe and chat with artists while maintaining appropriate distances.
“One thing that has not changed—we will still be presenting a wonderful array of Grand Canyon paintings created by artists who know the canyon intimately and are successful in capturing the beauty, the mystery and the wonder of the canyon on canvas,” says Kathy Duly, Grand Canyon Celebration of Art coordinator.
Among the 23 artists making the trip to
Arizona’s stunning world wonder this year are Michelle Condrat, Bill Cramer, Dawn Sutherland, Linda Glover Gooch, James Mcgrew, Robert Goldman, Marcia Molnar and Bruce Gomez.
“The biggest thing is being at the canyon and painting on the rim, just experiencing the canyon and the way it influences me. That really dictates what I’m going to paint,” says landscape painter Matt Sterbenz. “Lots of different things can influence what I paint. Most specifically the weather and the light, the time of day, the clouds, different atmospheric influences…there are a few spots that are my go-to’s, but the more you paint in a certain area, you can expect what’s going to happen…there’s also an advantage to going to a place totally new. I don’t know what to expect, so it challenges me to think differently.” Sterbenz explains that his “sunrise spot” is at the Yavapai Museum of Geology, which is easy to get to from the campground in the early morning.
Amery Bohling, artist and owner of Amery Bohling Fine Art in Scottsdale, Arizona, will be attending the 2020 event as well. “It’s going to be a little sad that we won’t be able to do it the way we’ve done it in the past. We won’t be all buddy-buddy gathered around each other,” she says. “It will be different, but I’m happy that I get to go up there and paint. I look forward to it every year. It’s a week that I can get out of the studio, and I all have to worry about is painting outside.”
The studio pieces created by each artist will be available to purchase remotely through an intent-to-purchase ballot process and will be featured in the print and digital event catalog. Prospective buyers must fill out an intent-to-purchase form online for each piece they are interested in. All works will be on display at Kolb Studio and collectors may schedule private viewing appointments Friday, September 18, through Sunday, September 20. That Sunday, winners will be drawn and announced.
“[Being with friends] is the most important part of the show for me,” says Bohling. “We enjoy each other’s company. Painting outside, we’re good about finding each other’s own space. But we’ll probably shout more.”