Gallerygoers willing to leave Salt Lake County and travel a few extra miles to neighboring cities will be greeted with some exciting art exhibitions. For example, the Bountiful/Davis Art Center is featuring paintings by Anton (Tony) J. Rasmussen. In Park City, the Saguaro Gallery is preparing a super exhibit spotlighting works by 48 Utah artists (opening Friday, March 20); the Main Gallery at Kimball Art Center is spotlighting paintings by Western artists Harold and Glen Hopkinson; and the Badami Gallery (downstairs at KAC) is filled with oil paintings by Diane Balaban.
- You don't have to drive all the way to southern Utah to enjoy the spectacular scenery there. Just stop by the Bountiful/Davis Art Center. The moment you enter the gallery, you'll feel like you've been transported to Utah's canyon lands. Filling the walls are colorful paintings by Rasmussen.
Putting together this show was no easy task for Rasmussen, since he wanted to include some of his earlier paintings and murals. Fortunately, he got permission from the management at the Salt Lake International Airport to borrow his Bryce, Zion and Capitol Reef works. And he gathered others from the LDS Hospital and private collections to add to the show.
Although the majority of the exhibit focuses on the magnificent rock formations of Utah's canyon lands, the paintings are not photographically accurate.
But many people think they are. They congratulate the artist because he's painted the scenes exactly like they remember them.
Rasmussen points out that his approach was to create "idealized" landscapes. Being a creative artist, Rasmussen likes to make adjustments by combining different times of day, various points of view and individual emotional responses.
Most people are familiar with the style Rasmussen uses in his canyon paintings. But they're often surprised when they see his other style - abstraction.
Since he's showing some of his abstract works in this show, he chose to title the exhibit "Confluence '92." The word generally means "a flowing together of two rivers into one." But here, it means bringing together two artistic styles.
One of these abstract paintings, No. 56 (untitled), was the subject of an eight-minute video by Claudia Sizemore titled "Abstractions from Nature." The video is available for viewing at BDAC.
Adding to the excitement of the show is the release of of two prints of paintings "Birth Of A New Day" and "Canyon Paradise." Both limited-edition prints measure 22-by-30 inches and sell for $180 each. Rasmussen will be at the center on Saturday, March 21, from 2 until 9 p.m. to sign prints and copies of the announcements. Incidentally, the print "Canyon Paradise," a view of the Great White Throne in Zion, can be purchased for $150 anytime this week prior to the signing party.
The show continues through March 21. Gallery hours are 5 to 9 p.m. Monday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; and 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday.
- In Park City, business is winding down, since the ski season is rapidly coming to a close. But come Friday, March 20, there'll be lots and lots of activity, thanks to Saguaro Gallery owner David Lott. He has invited 48 top-notch Utah painters and sculptors to participate in this new show.
If you want to hobnob with many of the "Who's Who in Utah Art," drop by during the artists' reception Friday, March 20, from 6 to 11 p.m.
Some of the well-known artists exhibiting in this show include Ken Baxter, Bruce Cheever, VaLoy Eaton, Harrison Groutage, John Jarvis, Gary Kapp, Randall Lake, Richard Murray Carl Purcell and A.D. Shaw.
Other Utah artists who are participating might not be as well known - Frank Kaminski, Karl Quilter, Greg Olsen, George Schramm, Alexander Selytin, Mike Stidham, David Wade and Mark and Matthew Waki. The reception will be an excellent opportunity for you to be introduced to them and/or become familiar with their work.
Currently there are numerous bronze sculptures and large paintings in the gallery. Lott and his assistant will have to store these works in order to make room for the new show. But Lott isn't complaining; he's willing to put forth the extra effort, since he feels a deep commitment to Utah artists.
If you can't make the opening, remember that the show will be up for only six days - Friday, March 20, through Wednesday, March 25. Saguaro Gallery is located at 314 Main in Park City. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. The gallery will be closed on Sunday, March 22.
- The Main Gallery at Kimball Art Center takes on a Western flavor with art by Harold Hopkinson and his son Glen.
Ever since Harold won a national art contest at age 12, his focus has been on art. And, more specifically, the Old West.
"When I start a painting," Harold said, "it is usually pure excitement for me; and I go to it in rapid, abstract patterns, shapes and lines." However, about midway into the painting, his intellect intervenes and he "muddles through." Although the finished product isn't as pristine and spontaneous as he had planned, Harold generally feels good about it.
No matter what he says, some of his paintings end up lively and intense. One reason is because he covers his canvas with a solid, warm color (generally red, orange or brown). As he paints over it, he allows some of this color to peek through. This technique not only gives the painting visual impact but unifies it as well. His large painting "Someone Opened the Gate" is an excellent example of this approach.
Glen's paintings usually suggest a dramatic incident of the Old West. They often take place against the backdrop of the mountains near Yellowstone Park.
A careful look at Glen's oil paintings reveals that he paints either boldly or carefully. He paints more freely when working on location. Brisk brush strokes make up "Park City Home." But in his narrative paintings of Indians, mountain men, etc., he tends to tighten up. However, this often happens when a painter composes his paintings from memory and/or imagination.
- Rounding out the shows at the KAC are oil paintings by gallery director Diane Balaban. For this show, she has zeroed in on steam engines and trains. Most of them were painted on location at the Heber Creeper train "graveyard" in Heber City.
Balaban breathes new life into these old steam engines. She shows them huffing and puffing as they transport freight and passengers to Park City and other towns.
"It's wonderful to be able to stand right next to these magnificent old engines and paint their portraits," Balaban says.
The two KAC exhibits continue through March. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The center is located at the bottom of Park City's historic Main Street.