[Callboard] June Summer Arts Showcase at Kayenta Arts
Danielle Lydia Sheather via Callboard
The Kayenta Arts Summer Arts Showcase runs June 5 - 30, 2026. This dynamic, multidisciplinary showcase features entirely new works spanning music, theater, poetry, film, and visual art—a vibrant snapshot of the region’s creative voices.
We hope you will join us for an event, or the full showcase, this month!
Made possible by a generous grant from the Mellon Foundation, Summer Arts Showcase is part of Kayenta’s Local Arts Ambassadors Program, which uplifts artists from within the Southern Utah community by providing resources, time, and space to create and share new work. Complementing this initiative, Kayenta’s Creative Residency Program—also supported by Mellon—brings nationally recognized artists to the region to develop original projects inspired by the area’s distinctive desert landscape and creative spirit.
You can find events here. Showcase artists are featured on the Center’s Instagram account.
Kayenta Arts Announces Summer Arts Showcase: A Monthlong Celebration of New Work by Southern Utah Artists
Ivins, UT (May 22, 2026) – Kayenta Arts presents Summer Arts Showcase, a monthlong celebration of original work from Southern Utah artists, taking place throughout June at the Center for the Arts at Kayenta. This dynamic, multidisciplinary showcase features entirely new works spanning music, theater, poetry, film, and visual art—offering audiences a vibrant snapshot of the region’s creative voices. Dates & details below.
Made possible by a generous grant from the Mellon Foundation, Summer Arts Showcase is part of Kayenta’s Local Arts Ambassadors Program, which uplifts artists from within the Southern Utah community by providing resources, time, and space to create and share new work. Complementing this initiative, Kayenta’s Creative Residency Program—also supported by Mellon—brings nationally recognized artists to the region to develop original projects inspired by the area’s distinctive desert landscape and creative spirit.
Together, these programs are helping to build a thriving, interdisciplinary arts ecosystem—one that supports emerging artists, fosters experimentation, and connects audiences with the voices shaping today’s cultural landscape.
“There is a rapidly growing arts scene in Southern Utah, and our Summer Arts Showcase is a direct investment in where that momentum can lead,” said Miranda Wright, Executive Director of Kayenta Arts. “By launching new initiatives at Kayenta Arts, we’re supporting regional and national working artists while creating the conditions for creativity, collaboration, and innovation to thrive. We are grateful to the Mellon Foundation for their investment in us.”
Summer Arts Showcase artists include visual artist Addison Kanoelani, authors Sara Flannery Murphy and Amanda Empey, theater artist Ashlie Chaston, musicians Glenn Webb and Dylan Thomas Gavin, filmmaker Wendy Bird Womack, and others. All performance tickets are pay-what-you-choose $10-30. Details below.
SUMMER ARTS SHOWCASE PROGRAMMING
Addison Kanoelani: Thresholds: The Liminal Sky
Opening Social: Friday, June 5, 5-7:00pm
June 6-June 30, open during Center hours (9am-5pm daily)
Judy & Tim Terrell Lobby
Kayenta Arts presents Thresholds: The Liminal Sky by Addison Kanoelani, a visual art exhibit that explores the liminal space of transformation—an in-between state where identity shifts but has not yet resolved. Through layered abstraction and embedded fiber optic light, the work creates an immersive environment of change and quiet potential. Kayenta Arts will host a related Art Talk Friday, June 19, 7:30pm alongside a screening of Wendy Womack’s short film, RE.
No admission price to attend the opening social or view the gallery. Artwork will be available for purchase.
https://kayentaarts.org/portfolio/thresholds-the-liminal-sky/
Caught in a Loop LIVE with Dylan Thomas Gavin
Thursday, June 12, 7:00pm
Kayenta Outdoor Theater
Caught in a Loop LIVE with Dylan Thomas Gavin is a one-night-only live album recording experience! Audience members are invited to watch as every rhythm, harmony, and melody is built and layered in the moment by one-man-band Dylan Thomas Gavin.
Tickets: $10-$30
https://kayentaarts.org/portfolio/caught-in-a-loop-live-with-dylan-thomas-gavin/
Devised Music & Theater, Glenn Webb & Ashlie Chaston: The Delirium of Beethoven
Saturday, June 13, 7:30pm & Sunday, June 14, 3:00pm
The Lorraine Boccardo Theater
This devised theater piece (created from scratch by an ensemble rather from a pre-existing script) features new music and theater, created by local musician Glenn Webb, local theater artist Ashlie Chaston, and a company of musicians and actors. In The Delirium of Beethoven, a dissatisfied musician, Quinn stumbles upon the great composer & musician, Beethoven, who has strangely arrived to the modern world. Suddenly, Quinn’s world is opened up to the possibility of something new. An avant-garde, collaborative production emerges from the power of original live music incorporated into unique contemporary theatre.
Tickets: $10-$30
https://kayentaarts.org/portfolio/the-delirium-of-beethoven/
Short Film Screening & Art Talk - Thresholds: Art in Between
Friday, June 19, 7:30pm
The Lorraine Boccardo Theater
The short film RE by filmmaker Wendy Bird Womack tells the story of two sisters who reunite three years after escaping an abusive cult and discover that recovery looks different for everyone. At this special preview screening, audiences will get a first look at the film and have the opportunity to share feedback. The film runs 15 minutes and will be presented alongside Addison Kanoelani’s Art Talk, Thresholds: Art in Between.
Tickets: $10-$30
https://kayentaarts.org/portfolio/short-film-screening-art-talk/
Musetrap: Sara Flannery Murphy
June 21-27 Open Installation
Friday, June 26, 5PM Workshop
Center for the Arts at Kayenta
This generative, interactive, and tongue-in-cheek installation invites participants to tap into the collective, messy force of human creativity by setting a trap for muses. Audiences can experience this installation two ways: join creator Sara Flannery Murphy on June 26 for a guided workshop with hands-on exercises and a lecture. Or, visit this “thrift store of ideas” during the open installation period, following your own instincts.
Tickets: $10-$30
https://kayentaarts.org/portfolio/musetrap/
Poetry Jams: Thresholds with Amanda Empey
Saturday, June 27, 8PM
Kayenta Outdoor Theater
Join Kayenta Arts for a collaborative poetry jam with local poets and musicians, hosted by local author Amanda Empey. Expect an engaging mix of spoken word, community energy, and creative expression. The theme is “Thresholds”.
Tickets: $10-$30
https://kayentaarts.org/portfolio/poetry-jams-thresholds/ion.
ARTIST BIOS
Ashlie Chaston is a recent graduate of Utah Tech, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre with an Acting Emphasis. During her short time there, she participated in almost 20 productions. Ashlie is an actor, director, writer, and everything in between--she's even certified in rapier! Most recently, she stage managed A Caregiver's Guide at Kayenta. Some of her favorite acting roles include Puck from A Midsummer Night's Dream, William Dunnn in Men on Boats, Miss Shingle in A Gentleman's Guide, and Beatrix in This Girl Laughs, This Girl Cries, This Girl does Nothing. As for directing, Ashlie's favorites thus far have been Striptease by Slawomir Mrozek and Where the Lonely Hearts Go by Finegan Kruckemeyer. She currently portrays Mercy Otis Warren at Liberty Village. For more information, visit ashliechaston.com.
Amanda Empey, author of White Crown Academy, has been part of the Southern Utah writing community for nearly 10 years. As the current president of Write On, St George, she is passionate to see local writers succeed. Amanda has two book projects underway and has recently taken an interest in writing poetry. In her free time she reads, practices yoga, and dabbles in video game development and storytelling.
Dylan Thomas Gavin is a dynamic live-looping one-man band blending acoustic soft rock, indie, alternative, and modern pop. Polished, versatile, and deeply engaging, Dylan has a rare ability to command a room and turn casual listeners into dedicated fans. In 2025, Dylan released two full-length albums, a milestone that highlights both his creative drive and artistic growth. Performing consistently across Southern California and up through Idaho, he has built a reputation for captivating, high-energy shows that blend intimacy with stadium-sized emotion. His ability to command a room solo—without sacrificing dynamic range or connection—sets him apart. Each immersive performance is built from the ground up on stage. Inspired by the emotional depth of Chris Carrabba and the melodic warmth of John Rzeznik and Ryan Adams, he delivers heartfelt vocals layered with live-built instrumentation—creating the energy of a full band in real time. Follow @dylanthomasgavin on all platforms.
Addison Kanoelani is a nature-based luxury abstract artist whose work is inspired by the connecting point of emotion, nature, and cosmos. A Fine Arts graduate, her work has been exhibited in galleries across Phoenix and Los Angeles. Born of Hawaiian heritage and now based in Southern Utah, Addison creates richly layered, multi-sensory paintings built from preserved flowers she grows herself, crystals, and other elements of nature, along with resin. Her newest work incorporates embedded fiber optic lighting, adding a living, luminous quality that shifts with the environment around it. Each piece is constructed slowly and intentionally from her St. George studio — some taking months to complete — resulting in immersive compositions that feel both intimate and expansive. She creates for collectors who feel deeply — those who know the difference between art that fills a wall and art that changes a room.
Sara Flannery Murphy was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. Growing up, her family divided their time between Little Rock and the Arkansas Ozarks. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Washington University in St. Louis and her MLIS from the University of British Columbia. Murphy is the author of The Possessions (Harper, 2017), Girl One (MCD/FSG, 2021), and The Wonder State (MCD/FSG, 2023). Her shorter work has appeared in publications including The Guardian and LitHub. Currently, Murphy lives in Washington, Utah, with her husband and two sons. She teaches craft- and publishing-related courses for Utah Tech and can be found behind the circulation desk at the Washington library. She also serves as the grants chair for Write On St. George, a chapter of the League of Utah Writers.
Glenn Webb is a leading New Music percussionist in the Intermountain region. He is the
percussionist and Co-Artistic Director of Grand Circle New Music. GCNM exists to
promote the performance of new solo and chamber music. Grand Circle New Music is
especially interested in music created in and about the Grand Circle region of the
Southwestern United States. Glenn directs the Percussion Ensemble and New Music Ensemble at Utah Tech University. He is Artistic Director of the St George Jazz Festival and leads the Rebel Jazz Band. He leads the St George All-Stars performing originals and new standards.
He is the President of St George Jazz. He was the Founding Chair of the Music Department at Utah Tech and currently serves as Associate Dean of the College of the Arts. He is the house drummer/percussionist at Tuacahn performing for 2,000 patrons six shows a week. Dr. Webb has music degrees from UNLV, University of Utah, and Weber State University.
Wendy Bird Womack is a writer and filmmaker whose award-winning work has received recognition from the Austin Film Festival, BlueCat Screenplay Competition, First Flights Film Fund, the League of Utah Writers, and others. Wendy’s career has spanned multiple corners of the film industry, from development through post-production. Most recently, she taught film courses at Utah Tech University and served as the communications manager for Conserve Southwest Utah, where she advocated for the protection of public lands and endangered species. An avid traveler, Wendy often draws creative inspiration from the places she visits and the people she meets.
About Kayenta Arts Foundation
Kayenta Arts Foundation’s mission is to develop and create an environment that fosters artistic endeavors for educational and cultural enrichment purposes. The Center for the Arts at Kayenta was constructed with the love, labor, and funds of the Kayenta community, under the management of Kayenta Arts Foundation. Today, the Center produces and presents over 50 events annually, with a total of approximately 120 individual performances, across the artistic disciplines of theater, music, dance, storytelling, and humanities-based lectures.
Danielle Lydia Sheather, MFA | she/her |
THEATRE, DANCE, & ARTS ADMINISTRATION, SOUTHERN UTAH UNIVERSITY
351 W. University Blvd. Cedar City, UT 84720 | South Hall 101A