Art showcase just one of the Highland Fling highlights
Jessica Larsen, 6, of Draper, looks up at a wall of artwork during the 2014 Highland Fling Fine Art Show reception at the Highland City Community Center on Thursday. The reception is part of Highland Fling Days.
A watercolor painting awarded first place at the Highland fine art show reception at the 2014 Highland City Community Center on Thursday, July 31, 2014. The reception is part of Highland Fling Days. IAN MAULE, Daily Herald
Jessica Larsen, 6, of Draper, looks up at a wall of artwork during the Highland fine art show reception at the 2014 Highland City Community Center on Thursday, July 31, 2014. The reception is part of Highland Fling Days. IAN MAULE, Daily Herald
Will, 11, and Matt Larsen, both of Draper, take a closer look at a painting during the Highland fine art show reception at the 2014 Highland City Community Center on Thursday, July 31, 2014. The reception is part of Highland Fling Days. IAN MAULE, Daily Herald
Highland is known as a great city — it is beautiful, it is clean, it is safe and it has a lot of things going on all the time to draw the community together. Those are artist Shauna Holt’s feelings about her adopted hometown.
As a 30-year resident and chair of the Highland City Art Council, Holt’s favorite part of the Highland Fling is the art show. “I truly believe the arts bring the community together — we get to know each other,” she said.
The Fine Arts Show has been an integral part of Highland Fling for more than 15 years. Why do they keep having it? “Because we get so much response,” she answered.
“Last year we were overwhelmed — we thought we’d have to move the art show to a different place! We have so many talented artists in our area. And it is wonderful they can share their work.” The show is not limited to age or city. Preschoolers to age 90 can share, she said. Artists from Salt Lake City to Nephi have participated.
“It always amazes me what we get from kids, especially teenagers,” Holt said. “And we always get some mediums we don’t expect. Last year a Springville lady brought in encaustic art.” She described the technique as using hot wax on canvas with color. “The artist did an ocean scene and when light shines on it, the painting glows!” she said.
An artist herself, Holt does oil paintings and some watercolors. “I do landscapes, portraits and animals,” she said. Her paintings at the show are just for display, not for judging.
The art council decided last year to quit giving cash prizes. “We wanted to give an art scholarship instead and people seemed to accept that,” she said. The value of the scholarship was $500; she hopes it will be higher this year.
Those artists wishing to compete for the scholarship need to submit three pieces of art, write an essay on why they should be awarded and already be accepted at a college. However, the form for the scholarship needed to filled out by April 1.
“The Highland Fling is a lot of work but it’s fun,” Holt said. “We have a great turnout with a lot of entertainment, the parade and more. Plus the art show is a big thing!”
The Highland Fling Fine Art Show will be held 4-8 p.m. July 31 and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 1 at the Highland City Community Center, 5378 W. 10400 North. For more information, log on to www.highlandcity.org.