A Sunday Funday at the Kayenta Art Village festival in Ivins, Utah—featuring local artists, live music, food trucks, jaw‑dropping red rock scenery, and a dog and family friendly atmosphere.

Kayenta Art Village is one of those special places that’s always celebrating local talent. This weekend, the village hosted a fun, family‑friendly mix of local and international artists, all sharing their love of art with anyone who wandered through.

Set against the jaw‑dropping Vermilion Cliffs and surrounded by native desert vegetation, the experience felt uniquely Southern Utah. Add in vibrant restaurants, food trucks, mild winter weather, and the nearby labyrinths, and it turned into the kind of Sunday you wish you could repeat every week.

Beautiful Southern Utah stroll to one of our favorite local restaurants- Xetava.

We met local artist Ray “Bones” Patten, whose optimism and love for his craft were just as striking as his work. His metal violin and cello—transformed into art—completely captivated us, especially my daughter. You can feel the care and creativity poured into every detail.

Handcrafted pottery by international artist offering study abroad through Utah Tech University displayed at Kayenta Art Village in Ivins Utah

Information about a 9 day study‑abroad experience in Chihuahua, (where you collect your own clay for pottery making!) blending travel, culture, and art in a really beautiful way.

A beautiful stage for Dylan Thomas Gavin, whose music drew a small crowd to linger, listen, and enjoy the moment. Adults settled in with food and conversation while kids danced freely nearby — the kind of scene that makes a festival feel alive.

Even the walk to the labyrinth felt like part of the gallery.

Celebration of Life by Cheryl Collins, with metal work by Trent Ripplinger.
The spirals, the stained glass, and the upward movement felt like a meditation on growth, connection, and presence.

The labyrinth at Kayenta Art Village in Ivins, Utah—set against red rock cliffs and desert trees, inviting a slower pace and a moment of reflection.

Artist booths lined up beneath the vermillion cliffs at Kayenta Art Village in Ivins, Utah—where local and international creators share their work against one of the most breathtaking backdrops in Southern Utah.

A peaceful courtyard of wind sculptures.

One of my favorites from the day — a fun desert sculpture by Matt Clark, blending reclaimed metal with the surrounding landscape at Kayenta Art Village. It feels grounded, rugged, and perfectly at home in the desert.

By Merievy Oborn