Indulge your inner creativity with locally produced art

The Springville Museum of Art is housing five new exhibits to be displayed through Feb. 2. Photo credit: stockexchange.com

The Springville Museum of Art (SMOFA), Utah’s most historic museum dedicated to the visual arts, is now featuring five new exhibitions as of Jan. 5.

The “Natural Revelations” exhibit, featuring 23 engaging works of art created by the gifted Susan Swartz, emphasizes the inherent beauty of natural Utah landscapes. While Swartz initially pursued more traditionalist painting styles and subjects, she began painting landscapes after traveling through parts of America, Europe and Africa, and was no doubt inspired by the charms each setting had to offer. Now, with her focus on Utah, visitors will be privileged to witness Utah landscapes through the eyes of a connoisseur.

Korry Bird has a similar passion for nature which he expresses though the medium of sculpture. A native of Springville, his artistic ability was influenced early on by the environment in which he lived. Featuring over 30 of his works in bronze, the Korry Bird Sculpture Retrospective is sure to capture the elemental components and spirit of each subject.

With a range of passions and abilities, Glen Turner was an individual with a knack for creativity in a variety of mediums. Both as curator of the SMOFA and as an arts professor at BYU, Turner allowed his artistic abilities to permeate the local community. The Glen H. Turner Retrospective exhibit will display paintings, drawings, films and restored classic motorcycles, which are all products of his diverse artistry.

“In Memoriam: The Works of Alex Darais, Angelo Caravaglia, Gaell Lindstrom, Douglas Snow and Jim Jones,” is a mouthful of an exhibit title and will be an eyeful of originality. These Utah artists have been invited to draw on pieces from the museum’s permanent collection, allowing each to express the individualistic style that lent them notability in their profession.

Having acquired 23 new art pieces within the past year, the 2009 New Acquisition Show will feature artists such as John Hafen, James Taylor Harwood, Waldo Midgley, Christian Eisele and Alma Brockerman Wright.

The museum, located at 126 E. 400 S. Springville, Utah, is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., Wednesday from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Sunday from 3 until 6 p.m. Visit www.smofa.org for more detailed information on the exhibits and the museum itself.