The 50th Utah Arts Festival announced awards for the Artist Marketplace and Fear No Film, along with the People’s Choice Performing Artist Award.
“This 50th anniversary Utah Arts Festival proved what’s possible when we invest in artists and invite the public into the experience. From BANDALOOP’s breathtaking vertical dance on the Main Library glass wall to hands-on stained glass workshops with Holdman Studios, we saw art meet people where they are—curious, creative, and ready to connect,” Aimée Dunsmore, executive director, said. “With nearly 200 visual artists on-site in the Artist Marketplace and demonstrating artist area, we all learned something together about the breadth and depth of creativity. With major music moments from headliners Digable Planets, Yola, Shakey Graves, and Rubblebucket, not to mention hundreds of local music and dance performers, we celebrated our legacy. And the next chapter, we’ll continue to build together.”
All of the visual artist award winners are eligible for invitation to the Utah Arts Festival in 2027. Best of Show and People’s Choice Award winners also will have their booth fees waived.
BEST OF SHOW:
Artist Marketplace Jury: Grant Pecoff, Painting; San Diego, California, Instagram: @pecoffart
Board of Directors Jury: Karen Coburn, Sculpture; Chatsworth, California, Instagram: @karencoburnsculptor
Community and Inclusion Jury: Lisa Telling Kattenbraker; Fiber, Olympia, Washington, Instagram: @lisauntitled
Friends of the Festival Jury: Chad Aldridge, Metalwork; Pinedale, Wyoming, Instagram: @chadaldridge.studio
AWARD OF MERIT
Artist Marketplace Jury: Arūnas Ošlapas, 3-D Mixed Media; Bellingham, Washington, @arunasoslapas
Board of Directors Jury: McKenzie Fisk, 2-D Mixed Media; Dallas, Texas, Instagram: @mckenzie_fisk_art
Community and Inclusion Jury: Skylar Change, Painting; Washington, Utah, Instagram: @changskylar
Friends of the Festival Jury: Nikki Engel, Fiber; Salt Lake City, Utah, Instagram: @knotof8
PEOPLE’S CHOICE: Corey Godbe and Dawn-Marie Godbe, Wearable Art; Ferron, Utah, Instagram:@coreygodbe
FEAR NO FILM
With 84 short films from 20 countries, the second largest slate in Fear No Film history, program coordinator Alex Vejar added his own touch to curating them in 15 programs, which includes new comedy, drama and experimental categories. The signature Midnight program is now known as After Dark. Some 38% of the slate is represented by students and/or first-time filmmakers. The kids program was as big as ever and the Utahn programs comprises 15 films either made by local directors or are connected to the state.
Grand Jury Award Winners:
Grand Jury Best in Show: Ouais. by Della Miranda
Grand Jury Best Local Film: Java Jive by Barrett Burgin
Grand Jury Best Documentary: As It All Burns (Puisque Tout Brûle) by Anna Ostasenko Bogdanoff, Tessa De Baudinière
Ouias.
Audience Award Winners:
After Dark Program: A Cat Under The Wheels by Jauffrey Gallé
Animation Program: How We Hamsters Die by Phoebe Burdick and Mio Gribskov
Comedy Program: Balloon Animals by Anna Baumgarten
Documentary Program: Living With A Visionary by Stephen P. Neary
Drama Program: Tearful Tigers by Adán Pichardo
Experimental Program: Not Dead by Alex Reis
Kids Program: A Night With Monkey Gino by Keith Cantrell
Utahn Program: Ripple by Jacob Norris
PEOPLE’S CHOICE FOR PERFORMING ARTS
Rambunctious (Instagram: @rambunctious_ut) won over the hearts of Festival-goers on June 19 at the Park Stage. A six-piece powerhouse blending blues, funk, rock, and soul, Rambunctious is driven by a heavy rhythm section and a soaring brass line for a big, high-energy sound.
