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Small children may not be able to pronounce the word "sphinx," but at the Utah Arts Festival's youth-centric Art Yard, they can paint one.
A massive papier-maché sphinx is the centerpiece of the Art Yard's Egyptian-themed arts-and-crafts project this year. Kids can paint a portion of it, adding whatever color suits their fancy — and, judging by the sphinx's condition Thursday afternoon, the kids were getting very fancy indeed.
Elsewhere in the yard, kids could draw on a hieroglyphics wall, create sun symbols to two giant pyramids, or decorate mini-mummies that were just the right size for six-year-old artists.
Several nonprofit organizations have booths, filled with other craft projects for kids to make and take home. The Fear No Film Kids festival has a tent, showing two programs of short films for kids. And Summerhays Music Center is back with the musical instrument "petting zoo," which gives children a chance to try out violins, cellos and other instruments.