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Everett Ruess Arts Festival Escalante Utah Oct 1-2, 2004
ESCALANTE, UTAH, AREA MARKS 70 YEARS
SINCE DISAPPEARANCE OF YOUNG ARTIST WITH TRIBUTES, WORKSHOPS, EXHIBITIONS AND MUSIC. Escalante Canyons / Everett Ruess Days Scheduled for September 30 to October 2, 2004. For public information call 435-826-4810 or see www.everettruessdays.org. ESCALANTE, UTAH—Residents of Boulder and Escalante, Utah are celebrating the life of artist Everett Ruess (b. 1914) 70 years after he was reported missing in the remote red rock landscape near the Utah/Arizona border. Everett Ruess was an artistic, adventurous young man who set out alone several times to experience the beauty, as well as the fury, of nature in the American West. During the 1930s, he met and discussed art with painter Maynard Dixon, and with well-known photographers Ansel Adams, Edward Weston and Dorothea Lange. He was lured first by the splendors of Yosemite and the California coast, and later by portions of the lonely red rock lands of Utah and Arizona. In November 1934, at age twenty, Everett disappeared from the canyon country near Escalante, Utah, and was never seen again. Although his burros were found hear his camp, his fate remains a mystery. Local businessmen and artists, with the help of top Ruess aficionados, have organized the three-day Escalante Canyons/Everett Ruess Days festival. Promoters hope the festival will continue annually as a premiere art and literary gathering. Its aim: to welcome Utah and the world to the magnificent area surrounding Escalante and Boulder on newly named National Road-Scenic Highway 12 which winds it way through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. "We're a work in progress!" exclaims festival coordinator Harriet Priska, who co-owns a gallery with her husband Philip in Escalante. "This spring we realized it was the 70th anniversary. A great way to kick-off the festival, but we had to move fast." She has been gratified by the response to the event and the synergy that has developed. Everett left behind a remarkable collection of letters, essays and poems in which he revealed himself to be artistically moved by the glorious, ever-changing panoramas of this southern Utah wilderness. The festival is designed to include naturalistic and literary experiences as well as opportunities for the public to participate, hence its name: "A Working Arts Festival." Everett's artwork included drawings and watercolors, but his wood block prints have become particularly well known. "The prints exhibit an advanced sense of balance and composition for such a young person" says Steven R. Jerman, a Salt Lake City graphic artist and Webmaster for the festival. "But as with any young artist," he continues, "it's not so much the work, as the spirit surrounding it, that defines its greatness. Everett had that in spades." One can expect to see a range of prints for exhibit and sale at the festival including some 1930's originals, recent reprints, and present day reproductions. Central to the theme of art appreciation will be a plein air (outdoor) painting competition with over $4,000 in prizes. Artists will have 40 hours to paint up to two canvases. Prominent Utah masters Douglas Snow and Paul Davis, both of neighboring Torrey, Utah, will judge these works. The resulting paintings will be offered at silent auction with proceeds split between the artist and the festival organization. Additionally there will be hands on workshops devoted to primitive pottery making, drum-making, cross-stitch, tie-dye, plein air painting, printmaking and Bad Dog Discovers America, an experience for kids and adults. The event activities kick off Thursday, September 30, at 3:00 p.m. at the Boulder Mountain lodge. There, Everett's nephew, Brian K. Ruess of Portland, Oregon will read from Everett's diaries. First published in 1985 as "Everett Ruess: A Vagabond for Beauty" (Gibbs Smith, Publisher) the book has remained in print for 20 years. Publisher Smith will act as master of ceremonies for the festival. Following the reading, folk musician Dana Robinson, will perform. Robinson is one of three artists associated with the festival who have written songs as a tribute to Everett. Later that evening festival goers can enjoy a Poetry Slam at the Burr Trail Café or after hours festivities at Escalante Outfitters. Its owner and festival chairman; Steve Roberts has modeled the event after a similar yearly festival in Helper, Utah. "It has been a very good thing . . . has really helped their local economy over the years.", he noted. The festival shifts into high gear Friday October 1 with an Arts Fair and Exhibition on Escalante's Main Street and in the Old High School Gym at the Civic Center on 100 West between Main Street and 100 North from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. This Fair features local and regional artists as well as vendors of Ruess books and festival memorabilia. At 10:30 a.m. a Native American reading entitled "My Grandma's Teachings" by Lucille Hunt of Blanding will be presented at at the New High School Auditorium just north off Hwy 12 at the East end of Escalante. At 1 p.m. Cowboy poetry pioneer Hal Cannon will give his presentation "Why the Cowboy Sings" at the Civic Center. At 3 p.m. "Inspired By Wilderness - The Art of Shiela Woolley" will be presented by Dr. Paula McNeill, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA (Shiela's art is featured artist on the festival poster.) Both evenings feature Everett Ruess speakers followed by concerts at the new Escalante High School Auditorium just north off Hwy 12 at the East end of Escalante. Friday, western historian and Mormon scholar James Bergera will present: "Everett Ruess and the Murderous Pain of Living: Some Thoughts on his Life" at 7:00. This will be followed by a special performance by "The New Galoots" featuring veteran Utah musicians, Mark Chaney (Saliva Sisters), Tulley Cathey (University of Utah Department of Music) and Wayne Christiansen (Cowjazz, Tempo Timers). Saturday, October 2, at 4:00 p.m. you can experience "Word Shaker" the Utah beat poetry of writer, actor, performer Alex Caldiero (Plan 10 from Outer Space). This will take place at the Kiva Koffeehouse, which is in a dramatic setting overlooking the Escalante River Canyon just off Hwy 12 about half way between Escalante and Boulder. Saturday Night, "Vagabond for Beauty" Author W.L. Rusho will discuss "The Legacy of Everett Ruess—The Truth and the Legend" His talk will be followed by nearby Springdale musician Phillip Bimstein's acoustic folk chamber group, blue haiku, concluding the festivities. Running the length of the festival will be an exhibition of original Everett Ruess block prints sponsored by the Utah Arts Council and the National Endowment for the arts. The show will take place in the Old High School Gym at the Civic Center on 100 West between Main Street and 100 North from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Also showing daily is the docu-drama "Lost Forever". The film blends a modern day story line with historical re-creations featuring stage actor Mark Larson as Everett. Salt Lake City filmmaker Diane Orr spent nearly a decade writing, re-writing and creating the film, which the Taos film festival called. "An unforgettable exploration of the wilderness, both inside us and out." The film will show every two hours on the even-numbered hours from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Festival food will include regional favorites like Navajo tacos and Bar-B-Q. One restaurant will be serving a sourdough pancake breakfast buffet as well as vegetarian fare, and the festival beer garden will feature a will feature a micro-brewed ale. Accommodations in Escalante and nearby Boulder range from vacation "retreat" rentals, to lodges, bed and breakfasts, and motels. Or like Everett, one can camp. Find a complete list of lodgings including campgrounds and national parks at www.everettruessdays.org/food_and_lodging.html. For additional information and image re-search needs contact . http://www.everettruessdays.org/news.html http://www.everettruessdays.org/ |
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