Springville Museum of Art
Encyclopedia
The Springville Museum of Art in Springville, Utah
is the oldest museum in Utah
for the visual fine arts. Completed in 1937, this building was designed in the style of the Spanish Colonial Revival style by Claud S. Ashworth. It was dedicated by LDS Apostle David O. McKay
as "A sanctuary of beauty and a temple of meditation."
The Springville Museum of Art was made possible by the Nebo School District
, the Works Progress Administration
Act, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1964 a two story wing was added as a gift from the Clyde Foundation.
The Springville
art movement began in 1903 with a donation of art by John Hafen
and Cyrus Dallin. It was followed in 1907 by a donation from seven other Utah artists. The Smart collection came in 1925, followed by the Steed Collection (1948), and the Lund-Wassmer Collection in 1986. The Art Association Board of Trustees and the City of Springville continue to contribute to the growth of both the museum and its art.
The museum is noted for its collection of Utah art spanning from pioneer days to the present. Most of the major artists and styles of Utah are represented in nine permanent galleries in the museum. All 275 of the pieces are arranged in chronological order and show the development of art in Utah. The works of 250 artists are featured, including those of Doug Snow, Lee U. Bennion, Mahonri Young
, Dan Weggeland
, and LeConte Stewart
. The museum is divided into two main sections:
They consist of art from Utah
, the former Soviet Union
and the USA.
Springville, Utah
Springville is a city in Utah County, Utah, United States. It is part of the Provo–Orem, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 20,424 at the 2000 census, while the 2008 estimates placed it at 28,520. Just minutes south of Provo, Springville is a bedroom community for...
is the oldest museum in Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
for the visual fine arts. Completed in 1937, this building was designed in the style of the Spanish Colonial Revival style by Claud S. Ashworth. It was dedicated by LDS Apostle David O. McKay
David O. McKay
David Oman McKay was the ninth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , serving from 1951 until his death. Ordained an apostle and member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1906, McKay was a general authority for nearly 64 years, longer than anyone else in LDS Church...
as "A sanctuary of beauty and a temple of meditation."
The Springville Museum of Art was made possible by the Nebo School District
Nebo School District
Nebo School District is a public school district in Utah County, Utah serving the southern part of the county south of Utah Lake. Provo City School District and Alpine School District cover the central and northern parts of the county, respectively. Motto "Your partner in education"With 28,548...
, the Works Progress Administration
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
Act, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1964 a two story wing was added as a gift from the Clyde Foundation.
The Springville
Springville, Utah
Springville is a city in Utah County, Utah, United States. It is part of the Provo–Orem, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 20,424 at the 2000 census, while the 2008 estimates placed it at 28,520. Just minutes south of Provo, Springville is a bedroom community for...
art movement began in 1903 with a donation of art by John Hafen
John Hafen
-Biography:Hafen was born in Scherzingen, Switzerland. His parents joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and immigrated to Utah Territory. When they first came to Utah, the family lived in Payson. In 1868, Hafen began attending the 20th Ward Academy in Salt Lake City, where one...
and Cyrus Dallin. It was followed in 1907 by a donation from seven other Utah artists. The Smart collection came in 1925, followed by the Steed Collection (1948), and the Lund-Wassmer Collection in 1986. The Art Association Board of Trustees and the City of Springville continue to contribute to the growth of both the museum and its art.
The museum is noted for its collection of Utah art spanning from pioneer days to the present. Most of the major artists and styles of Utah are represented in nine permanent galleries in the museum. All 275 of the pieces are arranged in chronological order and show the development of art in Utah. The works of 250 artists are featured, including those of Doug Snow, Lee U. Bennion, Mahonri Young
Mahonri Young
Mahonri Macintosh Young was an American sculptor and artist. Although he lived most of his life in New York City, Young is most remembered in Utah as being the grandson of Brigham Young, and who sculpted the This Is The Place Monument and the Seagull Monument in Salt Lake City...
, Dan Weggeland
Dan Weggeland
Danquart Anthon Weggeland is considered the "Father of Utah Art" and was an artist and teacher in the early history of Utah.-Biography:Weggeland was born in the city of Christiansand , Norway...
, and LeConte Stewart
LeConte Stewart
LeConte Stewart was a Mormon artist primarily known for his landscapes of rural Utah. His media included oils, watercolors, pastel and charcoal, as well as etchings, linocuts, and lithographs. His home/studio in Kaysville, Utah is on the National Register of Historic Places.-Personal life:Stewart...
. The museum is divided into two main sections:
Temporary exhibitions
The four main galleries on the first floor display temporary shows and consist of a wide variety of styles dealing with both historical and contemporary issues. Some of the most popular exhibitions include the All-State High School Show, the Autumn Exhibit, and the Spring Salon.Permanent collection
Selections of the museum's collection of 1,500 works of are displayed on the second floor.They consist of art from Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
, the former Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
and the USA.
Museum timeline
- 1901: An art committee is commissioned to promote art in SpringvilleSpringville, UtahSpringville is a city in Utah County, Utah, United States. It is part of the Provo–Orem, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 20,424 at the 2000 census, while the 2008 estimates placed it at 28,520. Just minutes south of Provo, Springville is a bedroom community for...
schools. - 1903: John HafenJohn Hafen-Biography:Hafen was born in Scherzingen, Switzerland. His parents joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and immigrated to Utah Territory. When they first came to Utah, the family lived in Payson. In 1868, Hafen began attending the 20th Ward Academy in Salt Lake City, where one...
and Cyrus E. Dallin make a gift to begin a collection of sculpture and paintings. - 1907: Faculty and students at Springville High begin setting aside funds for the purchases of works of art at their school.
- 1921: The very first Spring Salon art Exhibition is held.
- 1925: The Springville High Art Association is formed for the protection, collection and presentation of fine art. 65 works of Utah art are donated by Emma and George Smart.
- 1937: The Hafen-Dallin club is formed to promote the fine arts. The Springville Art Museum building is completed as a WPA (Works Progress Administration) project.
- 1948: Alice and Merlin Steed donate 133 works of art.
- 1964: The families of Hyrum Smith and Elanora Johnson Clyde donate funds for the construction of a new west wing in which two new galleries are housed.
- 1975: The museum building is transferred from the Nebo School DistrictNebo School DistrictNebo School District is a public school district in Utah County, Utah serving the southern part of the county south of Utah Lake. Provo City School District and Alpine School District cover the central and northern parts of the county, respectively. Motto "Your partner in education"With 28,548...
to the city of Springville. - 1986: 300 works of art are donated by Theodore Wassmer and Judy Lund-Wassmer.
- 1993: The City of Springville gives permission to the Springville Museum of Art Board to raise funds to build a new wing.
- 1998: Construction begins on a 20,000 square foot (1,900 m²) addition to the museum which emphasizes education for children and provides extra gallery space for the museum's permanent art collection.