Dixie State University Professor of Art Del Parson was honored with the 2018 Award of Excellence in the Arts.

The St. George Arts Commission, Mayor Jon Pike, and the city council presented Parson with the award, honoring his artistic work and impact on the arts community of Southern Utah.

“I was honored to receive this award for my body of work and service in teaching at Dixie State,” Parson says.

He and the other award recipient, Candy Fowler, were recognized at the St. George City Council meeting and honored at a following reception.

Parson specializes in painting religious subjects and has been recognized for both his religious and historical paintings, receiving numerous regional and national awards. Parson’s work has been exhibited at the Allied Artists of America, National Academy of Design, Knickerbocker Artist, American Artists Professional League, and the Amarillo Rotary Show.

“When you feel inspired, a painting takes on a life of its own,” Parson says. “When that happens, the experience is pure joy. It is moments like these that an artist loves best.”

After earning his Master of Fine Arts from Brigham Young University, Parson became a gallery and portrait artist in 1975 as well as an illustrator for books and magazines.

Parson came to teach at Dixie in 1988 and has continued to teach here ever since. He finds the opportunity to grow with his students to be deeply rewarding.