Springville Museum of Art

I’ve been holding off on this one, simply because I know it so well and could go on forever about it. But the Springville Museum of Art is one of the best museums I’ve ever been to. So why am I talking about it now? Because it’s director, Dr. Vern Swanson, is retiring this August. I’m both hopeful and fearful for whoever is taking his place, because he is seriously irreplaceable.

I’ll start with the exterior. The building was originally a high school, built in Spanish Colonial style. Two paintings were donated to the school, which transformed into a museum when a bigger high school was built.

The step-down gallery is home to exhibitions, whatever the flavor-of-the-month is. From the International Spring Salon that runs May through July every year, to the Quilt Show in the fall, there is always something fantastic to see here. I admit, Mike’s piece is in that room right now, and I love to go look at it, along with the other pieces. Each room on the main level is spacious and grandeur and the exhibits here change every few months.

Going up a spiral staircase will land you on the second level, where the very first piece you see is a marble sculpture by Avard Fairbanks of a mother nursing her child. This is my favorite part of the museum, though I love many of the works in the permanent collection, including sculptures by Cyrus Dallin and Mahonri Young, paintings by John Hafen and John B. Fairbanks, and the Russian exhibit. This is an amazing and once in a lifetime opportunity, as this museum was able to gather paintings from U.S.S.R. The work is colorful, meaningful, sometimes soul changing. I speak mostly of the largest painting there, a scene of soldiers on the war front, where a young blonde boy stands right in the middle and looks right at you.

There is also a sculpture garden that is open most of the year. A mermaid girl done by Fairbanks lurks in the garden, a reclining nude by Dallin sits near the newly redone fountain of black granite. It’s peaceful, and you can enjoy the larger bronzes out here, especially on a nice day.

There is also a room in the basement where they sometimes exhibit shows done by children or high school students. It’s a short walk away, and fun to visit (or take a bathroom break down here). The atrium on the main level is quite nice as well, and if you have kids you won’t want to miss it. The mechanical fountain is against one wall, and there are iron tables and chairs in the room where you can sit and watch them in their fascination.

As far as the curator, Dr. Swanson has made that museum a legend, turning it into one of the most distinguished museums in the world. Though he’ll be retired, I don’t doubt he’ll have a finger in everything artistic until the day he leaves this earth. He’ll be missed, and he deserves praise for what he’s given and done for the artistic community.

Good luck, Vern.

And if you happen to be in Springville, stop by the museum. It’s free, but donations are greatly appreciated.