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Butterfly Effect: The Watercolors of Andrew McBain Sinclair"The Sears Art Museum at Utah Tech University continues its tradition of showcasing regional creativity with Butterfly Effect: The Watercolors of Andrew McBain Sinclair, a summer exhibition celebrating the transformative power of color and place. The exhibition opens with a free public reception on Friday, June 13, 2025, from 7 PM to 8:30 PM in the Eccles Fine Arts Center, featuring light refreshments and remarks by museum director James Peck.Exhibition HighlightsButterfly Effect spans three thematic galleries—Origins, Exploration, and Mastery—within the Eccles Fine Arts Center. Visitors will encounter approximately 100 watercolors alongside Sinclair’s sketchbooks, process drawings, and archival photographs. Interpretive labels guide viewers through his meticulous methods, from custom pigment blending to signature layering techniques, revealing how a single brushstroke can express both structural form and emotional resonance in the American West.Artist BackgroundBorn in Virginia in 1943 and trained as an architect at UC Berkeley, Andrew McBain Sinclair enjoyed a 30–year career designing parks, housing developments, and civic projects nationwide. In 2004, a near-fatal illness prompted him to embrace watercolor full time, translating architectural precision into luminous landscapes. His dedication led to more than 400 works capturing the rugged beauty of Zion, Lake Tahoe, the Grand Canyon, and beyond.Complementary PhotographyIn the Eccles Grand Foyer, the photographic series Look Closer by Ali Lockwood complements Sinclair’s vision. Through intimate images of natural textures and urban details, Lockwood encourages visitors to pause and appreciate overlooked elements, from rippling sandstone to weathered woodgrain, creating a dialogue between painting and photography that underscores the exhibition’s theme of noticing small changes with butterfly-like consequences.Reception & Visit“Sinclair’s watercolors are both rigorous and expressive,” Peck says, “inviting us to see familiar landscapes with fresh eyes.” Butterfly Effect is made possible by a generous 2024 gift from the Andrew McBain Sinclair estate. Media outlets and patrons may request high-resolution images and interview opportunities with museum staff by contacting the Utah Tech University Marketing & Communications Office.The Sears Art Museum is located in the Eccles Fine Arts Center on the Utah Tech University campus and is open Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Admission is free and complementary parking is available adjacent to the center. For more information, visit the Sears Art Museum website or call (435) 652-7909...."Read the rest of story at link below Read the full article

Fairy Tales Get Twisted in Stage Door’s Spellbinding Summer Musical"This summer in St. George, a magical forest is growing inside The Historic Electric Theater—and it’s filled with princes, peasants, ball gowns, and beanstalks. The Stage Door invites audiences to step Into the Woods, where beloved fairy tales are turned on their heads in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s iconic musical. Performances run June 19 through July 12 at the beautifully restored downtown venue at 68 E. Tabernacle Street. Fairy Tales Get Twisted in Stage Door’s Spellbinding Summer MusicalFor director Sterling Hanks, this production marks an exciting debut, shared with experienced co-director Jalee Scott. Together, they guide a talented cast through an enchanting, funny, and emotionally rich journey. Audiences will meet characters they thought they knew—Cinderella, Jack (of beanstalk fame), Little Red Ridinghood, a childless Baker and his Wife—only to discover new depth in their dreams, decisions, and consequences. Fairy Tales Get Twisted in Stage Door’s Spellbinding Summer MusicalThe cast is led by Mimi Knell as the mysterious and commanding Witch, Eric Humphries as the earnest Baker, and Ashlie Davenport as his determined wife. Jackson Betts brings youthful charm to Jack, Amanda Butler is a firecracker as Little Red, Mattea Denney adds elegance and heart to Cinderella, and Tim Merkley plays her dashing but conflicted Prince. Together with a vibrant supporting ensemble of local talent, they bring the forest—and its many secrets—to life.Musical direction by Amy Gleave and choreography by Rosa Lee White ensure each scene pulses with energy and heart, while Stage Manager Kristen McPhie keeps everything running smoothly behind the curtain. The immersive woodland set, designed by The Stage Door Artistic Director Josh Scott, transforms the stage into a whimsical world of magic, mystery, and transformation. Fairy Tales Get Twisted in Stage Door’s Spellbinding Summer MusicalAt its core, Into the Woods is a story about what happens after “happily ever after.” As characters chase wishes—a child, riches, beauty, adventure—they soon realize that getting what you want can be more complicated than it seems. Hanks reminds us, "The lyrics are 'wishes come true, not free.' Every wish has a price." With humor, heart, and Sondheim’s unforgettable score, this show explores the tangled roots of family, responsibility, and what it means to live in community.Performances begin at 7:30 pm, with a matinee on July 5 at 2 pm. Tickets are available at stagedoorutah.com or at the door one hour before showtime. Dixie Direct and group ticket inquiries can call (435) 656-4407.Whether you’re a fan of fairy tales, musical theater, or just looking for a magical night out, Into the Woods at The Stage Door is the summer production not to miss...."Read the rest of story at link below Read the full article