Candace Rideout Named May’s Artist of the Month

By Kelly Cannon | [email protected]

Holladay - Artist Candace Rideout has been a resident of Holladay for around 48 years. She was recently named the Artist of the Month for May by the Holladay Arts Council. 

After earning a degree in painting from the University of Utah, Rideout taught art and worked for the Utah State Board of Education illustrating books and creating other commercial art. During that time she had an advertising agency as well. About 15 years ago, she gave that up to pursue being a full-time artist. 

“It’s absolute fun for me,” Rideout said. “It’s nice to be occasionally paid for something you do for free anyway.”

Rideout primarily works in oils and paints various landscapes and still life.  She bases her paintings off of smaller studies she’s done and then enlarges them to create a full painting. 

“I try painting an idea more than just a thing,” Rideout said. “I want it to be something that says more than just a mountain or a tree.” 

In addition to creating her own works, Rideout teaches art classes. During the year, she primarily teaches adults but then teaches children during the summer. 

“I’m always trying something new in teaching,” Rideout said. 

According to Rideout, there are a ton of artists living in Holladay who are close friends and have studios located in Millcreek. These artists include painters like Rideout, but also sculptures and artists who specialize in installations. 

“It’s nice to have someone around to give a quick critique,” Rideout said. “It’s also nice to have those around who are interested in art.” 

However, there aren’t many places in Holladay where artists can display their work. Rideout said the Holladay Library has places to show work and the Holladay Arts Council works to create spaces for art to be displayed. Rideout’s work can be seen at Relics Framemakers & Gallery on Holladay Boulevard. Her work can also be seen at Snake Creek Grill in Heber.

“I practically have the whole restaurant,” Rideout said. “I sell quite a few things out there.”

Rideout also displays her work at the Utah State Fair and the Intermountain Art Show, as well as occasionally at bigger shows. 

Rideout said she loves painting because she can just get lost in it.

“I get absolutely lost in time while painting. It’ll be 2 a.m. and I’ll have no idea because I get so immersed,” she said. “When you really like it, you don’t realize the hours and hours ’cause you just love it.”

Craig Fisher, a member of the Holladay Arts Council, explained Rideout had always been on the list for artists to be highlighted by the council as Artist of the Month. 

“We knew one day we would profile her,” Fisher said. “She is one of the most influencial artists in Holladay. She’s a great artist and a great instructor.” 

The Holladay Arts Council has been selecting Artists of the Month since May 2015. The idea was originally Fisher’s.

“As an artist, I know it’s hard to get exposure,” Fisher said. “We wanted to identify an artist in the community for a month.”

A committee of four council members makes up the selection committee, including Fisher. 

“People will give us suggestions,” Fisher said. “We talk among ourselves and we get a list together and we decide who it’s going to be that month.”

Each month, the artist, their work and a quick bio can be viewed on the Holladay Arts Council’s website, http://www.holladayarts.org.

Fisher explained the goal of the Artists of the Month is to create a database of artists for workshops and guests lectures. These speakers would teach artists things they are lacking, not only art skills but also how to succeed financially as an artist. 

“Artists aren’t always the best business people,” Fisher said.