Photo courtesy Kimball Art Center/Mark Maziarz
Arts Fest is back! After a one-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the 52nd Annual Kimball Arts Festival kicks off next Friday, Aug. 6, with three jam-packed days of activities in Old Town Park City, featuring music, food, experiences and of course, juror-selected artists from around the world showcasing stunning art collections in multiple mediums.
“The Arts Festival is one of Kimball Art Center’s most celebrated programs,” said Hillary Gilson, Kimball Arts Festival event manager. “Returning to an in-person festival supports our organization as we continue our mission driven work to connect and inspire the Park City resident and visitor community to art. In addition to the festival’s impact on our organization, our festival — and the entire festival circuit — is the lifeline of our artist community.”
Approximately 200 artists from 33 states and three countries have been selected via a blind jury and invited to participate in the three-day event, which runs through Sunday, Aug. 8, along Park City Historic Main Street. Artists compete and show in 13 categories of ceramics, digital art, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, metalwork, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and wood.
Among this year’s artists are multiple 2019 “Best in Show” honorees, such as fiber artist Jeanne Akita of Illusions Lab in Salt Lake City, metalwork artist Ed Kolle of Vermilion Shadow Silversmith in Kanab, Utah, printmaker Jennifer Worsley from SLC, painters Signe and Genna Grushovenko from Greenville, S.C., and glass artist Michael Hayes from Spruce Pine, N.C.
Check out the complete list of featured artists online at parkcitykimballartsfestival.org.
In addition to strolling picturesque Main Street to view and purchase art, make sure you give yourself time to explore the many art experiences available during the weekend, including live music, artist demonstrations led by KAC education staff, kids’ art classes and education programs, and craft beer and artisan cuisine.
Mountain Town Music has three days of free shows set across two stages – the Kimball Stage located on Heber Avenue and the Food Truck Stage, set at the top of Historic Main Street. Along with the 50-plus bars and restaurants on Main Street, KAC also partners with local restaurants and food trucks to host featured culinary artisans, which are located in the Food Truck Alley in the Brewpub parking lot and Artisan Alley along Heber Avenue.
DIY: Calling artists of all ages to ‘Studio on Main,’ Kids’ Activity Plaza
For a more unique and personal experience during Arts Fest, be sure to check out the “Studio on Main,” where you can participate in community artwork. Programming includes artist Jorge Rojas — KAC’s inaugural artist-in-residence — at the Kimball Art Center Info Booth, an opportunity to participate in the KAC’s current exhibition, the “Loom Project,” at Schreurs Plaza (Bear Bench Walkway), and a community sewing circle and clay wheel throwing at Miner’s Park.
Even the youngest art aficionados can get in on the action at the Town Lift Plaza, where kids can grab a set and take part in an art-making experience at the festival. Activities include community clay sculpture, “wearable art” (draw, embroider or stencil a message onto a bandana or flag), a scavenger hunt and more. Kids’ art-making activities are designed for children of all ages and connect the festival with the educational opportunities available year-round at the Kimball Art Center.
The 52nd Annual Kimball Arts Festival
Hours:
- Friday, 5-9 p.m. – LOCALS NIGHT*
- Saturday, 10 a.m.- 8 p.m.
- Sunday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
*Locals Night info:
- For Summit County residents ONLY.
- Admission fee waived Friday evening.
- Advance registration REQUIRED. Locals’ tickets will NOT be available at entrance gates.
(Online only, must purchase by Aug. 3)
- Day Tickets: Advance purchase strongly encouraged; $10 for adults; $5 for children ages 6 to 17, free for children 5 and under. “Day-of” tickets will be available for an increased price at the Main Street gate throughout the weekend.
- Weekend Packages: Friday-Sunday access; $25 for adults, $15 for adult Summit County residents, $10 for children ages 6 to 17.
- Party Like a Local: $50 for adults, includes: weekend festival access, elevated Spirit Garden package for Friday, Aug. 6, limited-edition KAC drinkware by Hydroflask sponsored by Gallery MAR, one (1) drink ticket usable for any drink at Spirit Garden Bar and High West Distillery popcorn. Enjoy special artist demonstrations and relax in lounge furniture while enjoying local bands!
- VIP Pass: $200 for one, $300 for two; includes: weekend festival access, two drink tickets to the Friday Night Spirit Garden Event, “pARTy Like a Local,” unlimited access to the VIP Lounge on Saturday and Sunday, Skybox View plus complimentary nibbles, spirits, air conditioning and VIP restrooms. Purchase includes KAC Red level membership and exhibition offerings.
For complete details on the 52nd Annual Kimball Arts Festival, visit ParkCityKimballArtsFestival.org.
