Springville Museum of Art facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Springville High School Art Gallery
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Entrance to the art museum, June 2012
Location in Utah Show map of Utah Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Location	126 East 400 South Springville, Utah United States
Area	1 acre (0.40 ha)
Built	1936-37; 1964
Built by	WPA
Architect	Ashworth, Claude S.
Architectural style	Mission/Spanish Revival
MPS	Public Works Buildings TR
NRHP reference No.	86000750
Added to NRHP	April 9, 1986

The Springville Museum of Art in Springville, Utah, United States is the oldest museum for visual fine arts in Utah. It is a special place where people can see beautiful paintings and sculptures. In 1986, the museum building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it is a very important historical site in the United States. As of 2022, Emily Larsen is the director of the museum.

About the Museum Building

The Springville Museum of Art building was finished in 1937. It was designed in a style called Spanish Colonial Revival. This style looks like old Spanish buildings with fancy details. The architect who designed it was Claud S. Ashworth.

When the museum opened, it was called "A sanctuary of beauty and a temple of meditation." This means it was meant to be a peaceful place to enjoy art. The museum's goal is to help people learn and grow through art. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. At that time, it was known as the Springville High School Art Gallery.

The museum was built between 1936 and 1937. A new part was added in 1964. Many groups helped make the museum possible. These included the Nebo School District, the Works Progress Administration (WPA), and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The WPA was a government program that created jobs during the Great Depression. In 1964, the Clyde Foundation gave money to add a new two-story section.

The Museum's History

The idea for an art museum in Springville started in 1903. Two artists, John Hafen and Cyrus Dallin, donated some of their artworks. More artists from Utah gave their art in 1907. Over the years, many important art collections were donated. These include the Smart collection in 1925, the Steed Collection in 1948, and the Lund-Wassmer Collection in 1986. The museum continues to grow thanks to the Art Association Board and the City of Springville.

The museum is famous for its collection of Utah art. It shows art from the time of the pioneers until today. Most of the main artists and art styles from Utah are shown in nine permanent galleries. All 275 pieces are arranged in chronological order, from oldest to newest. This helps visitors see how art in Utah has changed over time. The museum features works by 250 artists, including Doug Snow, Lee U. Bennion, Mahonri Young, Dan Weggeland, and LeConte Stewart. In 2017, the museum celebrated its 80th birthday!

Museum Milestones

• 1901: An art committee was created to support art in Springville schools.
• 1903: John Hafen and Cyrus E. Dallin donated art to start the museum's collection.
• 1907: Teachers and students at Springville High began saving money to buy artworks for their school.
• 1921: The very first Spring Salon art Exhibition was held. This is a show where artists can display their work.
• 1925: The Springville High Art Association was formed. Its job was to protect, collect, and show fine art. Emma and George Smart donated 65 artworks by Utah artists.
• 1937: The Hafen-Dallin club was formed to promote fine arts. The Springville Art Museum building was completed as a WPA project.
• 1948: Alice and Merlin Steed donated 133 artworks.
• 1964: The families of Hyrum Smith and Elanora Johnson Clyde donated money. This helped build a new west wing with two new galleries.
• 1975: The museum building was moved from the Nebo School District to the city of Springville.
• 1986: Theodore Wassmer and Judy Lund-Wassmer donated 300 artworks. The building was also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
• 1993: The City of Springville allowed the museum board to raise money for another new wing.
• 1998: Construction began on a large 20,000 square foot (1,900 m²) addition. This new part focused on art education for children. It also added more space for the museum's art collection.
• 2012: Rita Wright became the new director of the Springville Museum of Art.

Art Collections

The museum has a collection of 2,300 artworks. Some of these are shown on the second floor. These artworks include art from Utah, the former Soviet Union, and other parts of the United States.

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  Edwin Evans, American Fork Canyon (1900)

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  John Hafen, Hollyhocks (c.1900)

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  John Hafen, Mountain Stream (1903)

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  Cyrus Dallin, The Protest (1904)

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  William Sergeant Kendall, The Artist’s Wife and Daughters (1906)

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  John Hafen, Tepees, Utah County (1907)

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  Cyrus Dallin, The Scout (1910)

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  Cyrus Dallin, Appeal to the Great Spirit (1912)

Special Art Shows

The seven main galleries on the first floor show temporary art exhibits. These shows change often and feature many different styles of art. They cover both historical and modern topics. Some of the most popular yearly shows include:

• The All-State Utah High School Art Show
• The Quilt Show
• The Spiritual and Religious Show
• The Spring Salon

More to Explore

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Utah County, Utah
• List of museums in Utah
• List of Utah artists
• Mormon art