And if you’re an artist, it’s also your chance to win big.

On the last day of July in 1909, President William Howard Taft proclaimed the main canyon in Zion to be Mukuntuweap National Monument. That will make Zion Park 100 years old — in July of 2009!

So why are we getting excited a year and a half early? (I’m tempted to say that if politicians can start campaigning two years early, why can’t we. But that’s not the reason.)

The reason is that the four powerhouse organizations …

• Zion National Park
• The Zion Natural History Association
• The St. George Art Museum
• The St. George Area Convention and Visitors Bureau

… have come together to sponsor an art competition for recent paintings of Zion National Park.

And they’re offering prizes significant enough to make it worthwhile!

• A $10,000 City of St. George Art Museum Grand Prize Purchase Award
• A $5,000 Zion Natural History Association Purchase Award
• A Utah Governor’s Recognition Award
• A Zion National Park Superintendent Recognition Award

And, according to the prospectus, “many other cash prizes, recognition, merit, and purchase awards.”

But you need to get painting. Submissions will be accepted through January 31, 2008.

You can get the complete details at the St. George Art Museum’s web page.