Theft overshadows Best in Show award
Kevin DesPlanques, a Mancos artist, shapes a piece of furniture in 2014. DesPlanques uses a unique process called stacked lamination that allows him to sculpt rocking chairs, benches and other types of furniture. Some of his work was stolen during a recent festival in Park City, Utah.
Mancos artist Kevin DesPlanques said about $11,000 of his handcrafted wood furniture was stolen during the Kimball Arts Festival in Park City, Utah.
Several artists had art stolen overnight during the Aug. 12-14 festival.
The Kimball art show is one of the top festivals in the country, DesPlanques said. But he questioned the security of the festival, saying event organizers hired only a few people to guard many blocks of art booths.
DesPlanques speculated that the burglars drove up in a truck, stole the art, and drove off.
Winning an award at the festival didn’t make up for the theft, DesPlanques said.
“I had the honor of Best in Show and was rewarded with having my art stolen,” he said.
