The 12th Annual Grand Canyon Celebration Of Art is coming in September/Grand Canyon Conservancy

Covid-19 won't stop the 12th Annual Grand Canyon Celebration of Art next month, though most of the celebration revolving around Grand Canyon National Park's landscapes will be staged online.

Celebration of Art at Grand Canyon is a wonderful tradition at Grand Canyon National Park, providing a vibrant experience for visitors, a venue for artists inspired by the canyon, and a successful fundraiser to benefit arts programming and an art venue at the South Rim. Art plays a critical role in the appreciation the country's national parks, and this event helps to keep the artistic tradition part of the Grand Canyon experience.

Since its inception in 2009, Celebration of Art has invited participating artists to paint “en plein air” (outside on location) for a week at Grand Canyon. The works produced during this time are shown alongside studio-produced pieces at the historic Kolb Studio in an exhibition and sale that extends for four months.

“Grand Canyon Conservancy is dedicated to preserving the park for the next generation. With Celebration of Art, artists will capture the beauty of the canyon and we hope this artwork inspires everyone, whether watching it come to life at the park or virtually, to join us in protecting this natural wonder,” said Mindy Riesenberg, director of marketing & communications at Grand Canyon Conservancy.

This year, many of the 23 participating artists will paint along the South Rim from September 12 to September 18. Visitors to Grand Canyon will be able to view the artists as they paint, safely from a distance.

On Sunday, September 13, the artists will take part in a “Paint Out” at Mather Point, where visitors will have the opportunity to watch the artists interpret the ever-shifting light and shadow, amazing land forms, and vibrant colors of this vast landscape. This event is open to the public, and the completed paintings will be available for purchase on-site.

Another “Paint Out” will take place on Friday, September 18, along the South Rim from Verkamp’s Visitor Center to Thunderbird Lodge, where once again, the artworks will be available for purchase on-site.

A special online silent auction will take place September 4-20, featuring pieces chosen by the artists. These works will be on display at Kolb Studio and collectors may schedule private viewing appointments Friday, September 18 through Sunday, September 20. Silent auction winners will be announced Sunday, September 20.

The exhibition and sale will go live online the week of September 21 and will continue through January 18, 2021. You can visit www.grandcanyon.org/coa for event updates and links to all online activities.

Event Schedule:*

Plein Air at Grand Canyon
September 12–18, 2020
Various locations along the South Rim, Grand Canyon National Park

Artist Paint Out
September 13, 2020
Mather Point, Grand Canyon National Park

Artist Paint Out
September 18, 2020
Verkamp’s Visitor Center, Grand Canyon National Park

VIP Collector Appointments
September 18–20, 2020
Kolb Studio, Grand Canyon National Park

Exhibition & Sale
September 21, 2020–January 18, 2021
Kolb Studio and online at www.grandcanyon.org/coa

*Unless otherwise noted, events are free with park admission and open to the public.

Please visit the Grand Canyon Conservancy's website for information and updates.