The story goes that when Herald R. Clark (1890-1966), onetime dean of the School of Business at Brigham Young University, was dying, he said to his son Philip, "be sure to look under my bed."
It's what Philip found under his father's bed that will make next Thursday evening, Nov. 29, so fascinating — nine years (1937-46) of correspondence between Clark and one of our country's premiere artists of the American West, Maynard Dixon.
Beginning at 6:30 p.m., Williams Fine Art, 60 E. South Temple, will host a night devoted to Dixon's memory and work.
The event begins with remarks by Philip Clark, who compiled his father's and Dixon's letters, and many of the artist's drawings, into the book, "The Heart of Maynard Dixon." Local artist Gary Ernest Smith will also present remarks on Dixon's influence on America's painters.
Afterward, there will be a book signing and an invitational art show, "Homage to Maynard Dixon," with original works by the artist, as well as paintings by 27 local artists who have been influenced by Dixon.
"The Heart of Maynard Dixon," through the letters, tells the full story of how Clark, in 1937, acquired for BYU 85 of Dixon's works for $3,700.
Clayton Williams, owner of Williams Fine Art and a sponsor of the event, calculates "that if you took $3,700 and added 5 percent a year for 60 years, you'd have a small amount of money. But with these paintings, I'm sure they'd be appraised at many millions, maybe $10 (million) to $20 million."
As impressive as Dixon's career turned out to be, much could be said about Clark and his ability to spot good art.
In the forward to the exhibition book "Escape to Reality: the Western World of Maynard Dixon," Campbell Gray, director of the BYU Museum of Art, writes: "Picture it: a man whose discipline is economics, working in a university whose primary objective at the time was education of teachers, not only being attracted to the groundbreaking work of a contemporary artist, but also negotiating a major acquisition for the university — all within the context of the Great Depression. His action and its effect are most remarkable."
After the business transaction, the friendship between the educator and artist continued for another nine years, until Dixon passed away in 1946. "They became great friends," says Williams. "Clark, the devout Mormon and Dixon, the man of the world. They related well with each other. Clark was the foil for Dixon's humor."
In the last years of his life, Dixon was constantly sick with asthma and other ailments. The letters show how Clark continually encouraged the artist to be upbeat and positive and to keep on working. During this time, Dixon did some of his best work.
The letters manifest how much Dixon cared for the land and the people who worked it. In one letter, he complains about the development of St. George and Cedar City, how bad they have become (in 1937). According to Dixon, the only good place left in Utah is Toquerville.
"He talks about efficiency," says Williams, "and how it is ruining the West, in that there's no longer going to be a farmer owning his own ground and farming it. There won't be a family on the farm to be close to the earth. He was against that."
Dixon also talked endearingly about the Mormons. In one letter, he even asks Clark to find a home for his son for the summer, so the boy could get some Mormon influence.
One of the better aspects about "The Heart of Maynard Dixon" is that there is no commentary. What the reader gets is what Clark and Dixon say. Nothing more.
Even though admission to the art exhibit and book signing is free, seating will be limited, so interested parties are encouraged to make reservations by phoning 534-0331.
E-mail: gag@desnews.com