Spring Salon Art Exhibit

NOW THROUGH JULY 3

The 97th annual Spring Salon, one of the longest-running art shows in the state of Utah, is now open at the Springville Museum of Art.

The Spring Salon is a juried exhibition showcasing pieces by Utah artists from many backgrounds that were created using a variety of mediums.

It will remain on exhibit through July 3 at the museum, located at 126 E. 400 South in Springville.

The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays. The museum is closed Sundays, Mondays and holidays (except for special events).

For more information about the Spring Salon or other events and exhibits at the museum, visit smofa.org.

The Spring Salon was first held in 1922. It was begun by students and teachers at Springville High School who wanted to exhibit and promote original artwork. The salon has been held annually since that time except during World War II when fuel and other goods were rationed nationwide.

The salon is open to all Utah artists working in any media. Each artist may submit up to two works of art created within the last three years. Works over three years old are not eligible.

There were nearly 1,000 entries for this year’s salon, with only about 250 accepted for display.

The entrants to the exhibit come from many backgrounds. There are many professional artists who enter their art for consideration, but many others are amateurs.

There is a wide variety of art mediums including oil, acrylic and watercolor painting, traditional sculpture, mixed media and assemblage sculpture, photography and digital media. Overall, the exhibit showcases the diversity and quality of contemporary Utah art.

One tradition of the Spring Salon was the Penny Vote. Early in the history of the show, contestants for Art Queen from the high school received votes through pennies that were cast into a box. The contestant with the most pennies was selected as the Art Queen and the money went toward new art purchases for the museum.

David Smith-Harrison

Bowl of Lemons, 2019 oil on canvas, 35” x 47” Honorable Mention Award