March 30, 2010
In this issue:
-Artist in Residence, Thanks to Foundation Contributers
-In the Footsteps of Thomas Moran
-Tribute to Iconic Zion Painter, Jim Jones
-Art Offerings with Zion Canyon Field Institute
-Earth Day, Come Celebrate in Zion |
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Artist Dennis Farris was the first Artist in Residence to inhabit the Grotto Museum building. See a multi-media presentation about his stay from the Salt Lake Tribune here. |
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ZCFI Classes
Inspire Your Inner Artist
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Earth Day 2010
Celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day at Zion National Park
The town of Springdale's Earth Day Celebration takes place on Saturday, April 24, 2010 from 12:00 noon to 6:00 P.M. in partnership with the National Park Service, Zion Canyon Visitors Bureau, Zion Natural History Association and Youth Activities Zion (YAZ). This fund-raising event supports the conversion of town facilities to solar power. Shop the Zion Canyon farmer's market and sustainable merchandise booths while listening to live music. Learn about sustainable practices from local organizations, participate in games and win raffle prizes. Hosted on the lawn of the Bit & Spur restaurant at 1212 Zion Canyon Boulevard, food is available at the restaurant along with an outdoor beer garden. Celebrate Earth Day by supporting your national park and the gateway community of Springdale.
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'A Rare and Coveted Experience'
In Zion National Park
Zion Natural History Association, Zion National Park, Springdale, UT 84767
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First Artist in Residence Enjoys Restored Grotto Building
 Surely everyone who has visited Zion National Park has, somewhere deep inside, imagined what it would be like to have Zion all to themselves. To partake of the absolute peace, solitude and beauty amongst these spectacular sandstone cliffs must surely be a dream come true.
That dream did come true for Texas resident, Dennis Farris. After he was chosen from a field of applicants, Dennis had the privilege of spending a month perfecting his talent of landscape painting while residing in Zion's new Artist-in-Residence Grotto Building which is located in the main canyon. Part of the funding for restoring that historic building was generously donated by supporters of the Zion National Park Foundation. Dennis blogged his experiences and you can read about his unique experiences on his website.
All participants in the Artist-in-Residence program donate a completed work to the park's permanent collection. Below, Dennis shares his feelings about his dream visit to ZionNational Park.
"Overall, the entire experience of the Artist-in Residence program was an overwhelmingly wonderful opportunity. The chance to live in the Grotto in the middle of Zion for a month is such a rare coveted experience, I haven't come across anyone who is without a bit of envy."
"The Grotto itself was beautifully restored and quite plush for such a "rustic" cabin. I never lacked for any amenities.
As an artist I am savoring the memories as I continue to paint from my sketches and photos in preparation for my show at Sage Creek Gallery in Santa Fe, which opens August 6th."
"The difficulty is choosing the imagery to paint from the wealth of reference I was able to acquire from spending the entire month of Feburary in the Park. Many of the best scenes, I was able to capture only because I was living in the Park and they were right outside my door. Some of the days there was ice on the roads and it would have been difficult to drive; I was able to walk and get some spectacular scenes of clouds weaving in and out of the snow covered peaks."
"The month I spent in Zion will be with me for the rest of my life, both in my memories and my paintings which I will continue to paint and share with those that are interested. In that respect it will be a cornerstone in shaping my career and life as an artist from here forward, it's hard to underestimate how important that is to me. Thank you to everyone that had a hand in the program that allowed me this life-changing opportunity."
-Dennis Farris | |
In the Footsteps of Thomas Moran
One Artist's Thoughts
by Roland Lee, Vice-Chairman ZNHA Board Member
 The action of water, wind, and time has erased the actual footprints that Thomas Moran and John Wesley Powell left in Zion Canyon in 1873, but the mark they left for posterity is bigger than the Canyon itself. As part of the 100th anniversary of Zion National Park, I was invited to join 20 other landscape artists and re-trace the steps Moran took in that first visit, recording our own images with paint and canvas. Using Moran's actual sketchbook as a reference, we spent one
Rolan's painting of The Sentinel in progress.
 | glorious week working deep in the shadows of Zion's sandstone towers. For me it was a culmination of my life's work. Having painted Zion for over 30 years, I am well acquainted with the grandeur and intimacy of the place. But this was a special time for me. Read Roland's complete article here.
See more of Roland's work here.
Special Event
Second Annual Plein Air Invitational
Zion National Park Foundation, in partnership with Zion National Park, will host the second annual plein air invitational, "In the Footsteps of Thomas Moran," from November 1, 2010 through November 5, 2010. There will be a quick-draw auction at the Zion Lodge on November 5, 2010 at noon. The paintings produced during the week will be for sale at the Zion Nature Center from November 5th through November 7th. Proceeds from the sale and auction will benefit the Zion National Park Foundation.
Leslie Courtright
Museum Curator
Zion National Park
More about art in Zion National Park here. |
Tribute to Extraordinary Zion Artist Jim Jones
by Tammy Eberhard ZNHA Warehouse Manager
Last night, I watched for the second time on KUED, Jimmie Jones: Red Rock Painter. It's a documentary produced by Southern Utah University about Jim's life and art. My face held a constant smile, mixed with tears of remembrance, whenever Jim was on the screen. I was fortunate to have known him for over 25 years. We visited with him on occasion at my husband's family gatherings in Cedar City (he and Jim were related), then
Artist Jim Jones at home in Rockville, Utah where his studio overlooks Zion. Photo courtesy Jon Smith, Southern Utah University.
 | later as friends and neighbors in Rockville. Even though Jim valued his privacy on the isolated mesa where he lived, he welcomed everyone with a friendly greeting. His charm and wit always warmed my heart. In the documentary Jim said, "I think of myself as a spiritual Painter..." In Jim's final show at Southern Utah University's Braithwaite Fine Arts Gallery, it was easy to see in these final pieces inspiration even beyond his immense talent. We are so fortunate that Southern Utah University will house these last works that Jim was so driven to complete. This collection will be treasured for generations to come, by students, faculty, and the many visitors coming to the fine arts gallery soon to be built and named in Jim's honor.
See an exhibit of Jim Jones' recent paintings at the Zion National Park Human History Museum through April 5th.
The publication (which includes a DVD of the one-hour documentary) Jim Jones Recent Paintings is available through the ZNHA Bookstore here.
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Special Savings
10% Discount, Members 30% Discount
Book A Century of Sanctuary,
the Art of Zion National Park
The most beautiful book ever published by Zion Natural History Association featuring more than 70 historic paintings as well as 68 contemporary paintings and five essays.
Foreword by Robert Redford.
144-page, full color, 10 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches
Hard Cover Price: $34.95
Soft Cover Price: $24.95
Enter coupon code at checkout: GreatZionArt
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Zion Natural History Association * Zion National Park * Springdale, UT 84767 * 
