Trial to Begin for Artist Selling artwork at Sundance

The artist Shaun L. Christensen was arrested at Sundance Film Festival for attempting to sell his work at Miners Park during the event.

He was not able to sell his work for long - as a Park City code enforcer shut down his shop for not having a valid license.

Christensen protested, claiming his right to free expression under the 1st amendment was being violated, and was arrested under the suspicion of commiting two related misdemeanors involved with not having a valid business license.

Though the case was later dismissed in state court, Christensen filed a civil suit against Park City, code enforcement, and the two officers involved in the arrest - claiming they infringed on his constitutional rights.

When the case was dismissed again in 2006, Christensen filed an amended lawsuit with a more detailed description of his artwork (as the first ruling claimed his case that his first amendment rights were violated was too vague.)

The case is set for friday with the same Judge Stewart presiding.