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 23rd year beginning Friday, Feb. 12, 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 220 works from over 110 renowned artists from Utah and the United States. Award categories for the show include oils, watercolor, pastels and other media. In addition, the show regularly features several bronze works.

“The Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show and Sale has become the standard by which successful art shows in Utah are measured,” said George F. Whitehead, DSC Vice President of Advancement and Cultural Arts. “The Sears Invitational has something for all ages and level of art knowledge. During the Art Show the youngest children learn to love art with the children’s art quiz while parents fall in love with oils, pastels and watercolors that are fresh from artists all over the West.”

This year’s Invitational events will begin on Friday, Feb. 12, 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 2009 Purchase Prize winner Lance Turner. A resident of Provo, Turner became the oldest artist (age 84 at the time) to ever win the Purchase Prize in the show’s 22-year history with his pastel painting “Mesa I.” Turner will also serve as this year’s Art Show adjudicator.

The Invitational’s opening gala dinner and pre-sale will follow the symposium at 6:00 p.m., in the Eccles Fine Arts Center Grand Foyer. Tickets for the gala may be purchased by calling Susan Taysom at 435-652-7905. The program for the evening will include remarks and performance by the event’s honorary chair, former DSC President and Dixie historian Dr. Douglas Alder. An art preview for dinner guests will precede the gala at 4:00 p.m.

Since the inaugural Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show in 1988, a portion of each painting purchased 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, and appropriately enough, the gallery bears the name of the show’s founders, the late Robert N. and Peggy Sears.

“The beautiful Robert N. and Peggy Sears Fine Art Gallery is truly a space that enhances the visual arts and provides an atmosphere of reflection for the viewer,” says Kathy Cieslewicz, curator of the Sears Art Museum Gallery. “It is with great hope and anticipation that the Invitational Show will continue to grow and to provide opportunities for everyone involved.”

Cieslewicz echoed the desires and goals for the Invitational set forth by the Sears family, which are to display and sell quality art to the college and the community, to raise funds to support the Sears Gallery, and for winning paintings to become part of the DSC Permanent Art Collection. Cieslecwicz went on to say that the show would not be a success without the wonderful talents and enthusiasm of the many artists who have shared their best works with the thousands of patrons who have enjoyed the show over the past two decades.

“Our artists have a passion for what they do,” Cieslewicz said. “Their life is one of creativity and joy. Let’s remember how happy their art makes us and that they are the keepers of our culture.

“We are dedicated to educating our community and patrons concerning on how to become collectors of fine art,” Cieslewicz added. “As a collector, buy art you love and you will always feel that happy feeling you had when you purchased it each time you look at it. Art becomes part of a mix that makes the whole package of life so wonderful.”

The exhibit will open to the public Saturday, Feb. 13, and will be on display through Sunday, March 28. Exhibit hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays, and 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays. Call (435) 652-7905 for more information.