The annual Robert N. and Peggy Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show and Sale, recognized as one of the biggest art events in the state of Utah, kicks off its 22nd year beginning Friday, Feb. 13, at the Dolores Dore’ Eccles Fine Arts Center on the campus of Dixie State College of Utah. The Sears Dixie Invitational, which has been a mainstay at Dixie State College, will feature nearly 240 works from 140 renowned artists from Utah and beyond, making this year’s show the largest in the event’s history. Award categories for the show include oils, watercolor, pastels and other media. In addition, the show regularly features several bronze works. “The quality of art seems to get better every year. Just when I start thinking that it can’t get any better than what we’ve had in previous years, the art shows up and proves me wrong,” said George F. Whitehead, DSC Vice-President of Advancement and Cultural Arts. “Show-founder, the late Robert Sears, would have put his seal of approval on this year’s Invitational. I invite all to visit the Sears Art Show at Dixie State College and feel the warmth of quality original art by some of the best artists in the country.” This year’s Invitational events will begin on Friday, Feb. 13, at 3:00 p.m., in the Eccles Fine Arts Center Main Stage Theater with a free art symposium for all interested artists, conducted by 2008 Purchase Prize winner Karl Thomas. Thomas, a Dixie College alum and long-time featured artist in previous Sears Invitational shows from Provo, Utah, won the Purchase Prize award for his oil painting entitled “Utah Winter.” Thomas will also serve as this year’s Art Show adjudicator. The invitation-only opening gala dinner and pre-sale will follow the symposium at 6:00 p.m., in the Eccles Fine Arts Center Grand Foyer. The program for the evening will include remarks and performance by the event’s honorary chair, world-renowned pianist Marvin Goldstein. An art preview for dinner guests will precede the gala at 4:00 p.m. In addition to his special engagement for the Art Show’s gala opening, Mr. Goldstein will perform in a special Valentine’s Day concert on Saturday, Feb. 14, at 7:30 p.m., in the Eccles Fine Arts Center Concert Hall. Tickets are now on sale for $20 and may be purchased by visiting the DSC Avenna Center ticket office or by calling 435-652-7800. Only 300 tickets are available for this special engagement. “We are very excited and honored to have such a world-class entertainer as Mr. Marvin Goldstein serve as our 2009 honorary chairman,” Whitehead said. “His talent and music is so inspirational and I can think of no better way to truly pay tribute to the artists and the legacy of the Sears family than to have Marvin share his talents with us.” Since the inaugural Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show in 1988, a portion of the sale of each painting has been allocated to help fund the art gallery in the Eccles Fine Arts Center. The Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show made its debut in that new gallery in 2005, which will remain the show’s permanent home. Appropriately enough, the gallery bears the name of the show’s founders, Peggy and the late Bob Sears. “This year’s show is a treasure trove of heirloom art,” says Kathy Cieslewicz, curator of the Sears Art Museum Gallery. “The quality and range of subject, size, and style of this year’s entries continues to astound me.” Cieslewicz noted that the St. George community has evolved into a true center of art appreciation. She has met a number of Invitational patrons who have procured pieces of art from previous Sears shows for their homes and businesses. She added that this kind of generosity and support from the public is what keeps the Invitational and Sears Museum Gallery going, and is a way for the art to be shared with future generations of art enthusiasts. “We encourage all gallery visitors to purchase art during this show, which in turn makes it possible to continue the legacy of providing visual art for our community and our students,” Cieslewicz added. “After all, who doesn’t want to become an art collector?” The exhibit will open to the public Saturday, Feb. 14, and will be on display through Sunday, March 22. Exhibit hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Mondays

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