Dixie State University to host free art talk featuring watercolorist Roland Lee

Expounding on his diverse career path, exploratory trips to the tip of mountains and a life full of beauty, award-winning watercolorist Roland Lee will delve into the meaning behind his artwork and his artistic philosophy at an art talk hosted by the Dixie State University Sears Art Museum.

Lee is set to present his art talk “Roland Lee's 40 Year Retrospective” at 7 p.m. on July 19 in the museum, located in the Dolores Doré Eccles Fine Arts Center on Dixie State’s campus. The lecture is free, and the community is encouraged to attend.

“Roland has always been a master watercolor teacher, and our artist community has benefited from his ability and willingness to share his knowledge and expertise,” Kathy Cieslewicz, director and curator of the DSU Sears Art Museum, said. “I admire Roland's humble talent to build relationships with collectors and everyone he meets. He truly has helped to build the art community we enjoy today."

In addition to the art talk, an array of Lee’s work is on display in the Sears Art Museum’s exhibit “Roland Lee: A Retrospective of a Beloved Watercolorist.” The exhibit, which is free to view, is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Aug. 2.

Lee, who has decades of experience using transparent watercolor to create nature-inspired pieces, has received awards at various invitational juried shows, honors from watercolor societies and the Best of Show and Purchase awards at DSU’s Robert N. and Peggy Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show in addition to being bestowed the Governor’s Mansion Medal for his contributions to the arts in Utah.

Additionally, his original paintings of the southwest and rural scenes of American and European landscapes have been exhibited in more than 50 juried art shows and can be found in more than 1,500 public and private collections across the globe. In fact, a few of his original works are in the permanent collections of Dixie State, Springville Museum of Art, St. George Art Museum, Southern Utah Museum of Art and several National Parks. For more information about Dixie State University Sears Art Museum and Lee’s art talk, visit www.searsart.com.