Mancos artist Kevin DesPlanques reports that about $11,000 worth of his handcrafted wood furniture was stolen during the Kimball Arts Festival in Park City, Utah.
Several artists had art stolen overnight during the festival, which took place August 12-14.
The Kimball art show is one of the top art festivals in the country, Desplanques said. But he questioned the security of the festival, saying event organizers only hired a few people to guard many blocks full of art booths.
DesPlanques speculated that the burglars drove up in a truck, stole the art, and drove off.
“It really, really sucks,” he said.
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.