Two festivals celebrate Western heritage and art

Celebrate Western heritage and art forms in scenic Southern Utah during two festivals Aug. 23-25 in neighboring Mount Carmel and Kanab. Mount Carmel's Maynard Dixon Country focuses on the West as depicted in fine art with an invitational art show and sale at the home of the popular artist and illustrator, Maynard Dixon. The annual Western Legends Round-up celebrates the Old West as promoted through Hollywood movies filmed in or near Kanab, Utah's "Little Hollywood."

About 20 miles separate the two historic towns with roots in pioneer times along U.S. 89, dubbed Utah's "Heritage Highway." To reach the communities, drive north on Interstate 15 from Las Vegas into Utah. Just north of St. George, turn on the highway through Hurricane to Zion National Park. Drive through the park by way of the Mount Carmel tunnels to meet U.S. 89 at Mt. Carmel Junction. Turn north two miles to reach the community of Mount Carmel. Turn left and drive 17 miles to enter Kanab. Kanab lies 203 miles from Las Vegas.

The scenery along this route early inspired both artists and film makers. It continues to attract creative attention. Through art works, photography and cinematography, the brilliant colors of eroded rock formations dramatically contrasted against the unsullied skies of the area garner global fame and familiarity, even among people who never set foot in Utah.

California native Maynard Dixon traveled the West and painted is unique version of what he saw for more than 50 years. Although the artist and illustrator died half a century ago, his work continues to draw attention. His travels took him to Utah where he found inspiration for his spare, vivid style that distilled into striking landscapes characteristically dominated by vast skies and stacked clouds.

Late in life he and his wife built a summer home on acreage in tiny Mount Carmel. They invited many artists and friends to visit the area. Honoring his wishes after his death in 1946, Dixon's wife buried his ashes on the grounds and created a studio where artists could work and seek inspiration. Today, the Maynard Dixon cabin and studio continue to foster artists through the Thunderbird Foundation for the Arts. Foundation volunteers conduct pre-arranged tours of the property at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. from May through October for $20 per person. Visitors may also opt for self-guided tours.

The Thunderbird Foundation annually sponsors the Maynard Dixon Country art event. The event begins Aug. 24 with an evening gala and preview of art selected for the show. On Aug. 25, visitors find the juried art on display in the Bingham Gallery while participating artists display their work for sale at the Dixon Studio. For more information visit www.maynaraddixon.com or www.thunderbirdfoundation.com.

Hundreds of Western films used the dramatic landscapes of Southern Utah to stage their stories. Remote little Kanab became a hub for film crews starting in the early days of filming on location. Kanab met the industry's needs by providing lodging, food, extras, livestock, equipment and transportation to nearby locations among the region's gorgeous cliffs and canyons. Visitors to the area find old movie sets in Paria Canyon and in Angel Canyon, a former ranch now the home of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Take the free tour of this fine facility to see buildings constructed for movies now put to use for the good of animals.

The ninth annual Western Legends Round-up celebrates Kanab's movie legacy for three days Aug. 23-25, with a film festival, Western and pioneer skills workshops, wagon train trek, street vendors, parade, rodeo and plenty of Western dance, music and entertainment. Actors and stuntmen from Hollywood Westerns filmed around Kanab share experiences and knowledge. Guest celebrities from the heyday of Western movies make appearances during the popular festival. For tickets to special events and information, call (800) 733-5263 or use the website at www.westernlegendsroundup.com.

Margo Bartlett Pesek's column appears on Sundays.