Springville Museum of Art from the Northeast (2009), by local artist Kimbal Warren
Springville Art Museum
What started as two simple donations to a high school turned into Utah’s first (and arguably finest) art museum. The Springville Museum of Art is the permanent home of over 2,500 pieces of artwork, mainly from Utah, the former Soviet Union, and other American art, It also hosts 15 temporary exhibits annually, as well as educational and cultural events for locals and visitors every month.
The museum has been Springville history since 1903. It was dedicated in 1937 by LDS President David O. McKay as a “sanctuary of beauty and a temple of contemplation.” Artists Cyrus E. Dallin (famous for his Paul Revere sculpture in Boston and his heroic depictions of Native Americans and John Hafen (known for his sensitively rendered impressionistic landscapes), both had a dream to bring art to the people of Utah.
Left: Cyrus Dallin's Paul Revere statue, as seen in Boston, MA. A replica can also be seen in the Sprinville Museum.
The two artists sparked an interest in artists all around Utah, but especially in Springville. Their art donation in 1903 was the beginning of something much bigger. More artists agreed to donate their paintings to the high school (including James T. Harwood, John B. Fairbanks and Mahonri M. Young) and students started collecting art and funds for their school.
“The paintings we have in our permanent collection come from those high school students’ efforts,” says Rita Wright, director of the museum.”We have a rich history with the community and we want it to stay that way.” The community's enthusiasm for the museum grew, and they started requesting more exhibits and events. The high school students put on a Paris Salon style exhibition in 1921, and the Salon is now called the Spring Salon, and it’s one of the museums most popular annual exhibits. The museum received a name in 1925, it was called the High School Art Gallery, but it needed a bigger facility as the permanent collection grew due to generous donations.
Today the museum gives back to the people through community art exhibits and programs. The museum invites all children in the local schools of Springville and Provo to submit their artwork for the annual Christmas exhibit. The museum also gives back to teens every year by hosting the Annual Utah All-State High School Art Show, held annually for over 40 years.
Right: "Christmas Lamb", by 8th Grader Melissa Lytle, a recent submission to the Christmas Exhibit
The students and citizens of Springville raised $100,000 during the Great Depression to build the historic Spanish mission style building that stands today. While there, visitors can see paintings from local artists and college students, paintings telling the history of Utah, and Soviet Impressionist paintings. The LDS Church also donates art every year for exhibits as well.
Ali Royal is a Museum Educator for High School and Teacher Programs. She and Rachel Stratford help plan the events for the community. “The art show really embraces the vision and mission of the museums founders,” Royal says. “It’s one of the best exhibitions we have in the state, and it’s a really good experience for young artists to create original work and experience that spirit of competition.”
The building and its history, art and architecture are a legacy to the city of Springville and the museum hopes to bless the lives of everyone who visits for years to come.
Springville Art Museum
126 East 400 South
Springville, UT 84663
Hours of Operation:
Tue-Sat 10-5, Wed 10-9. Closed Sundays, Mondays, and holidays. Admission is free.
Visit www.smofa.org or call (801) 489-2727 for add'tl info.
Source: adpated from information provided by Dani Ruiz, & the Springville Museum Staff, by josephaw