"Second Thoughts" has what appears to be a horned, green man being accosted by a swirling swarm of diminutive jetliners, birds and fish. It's as if regrets of 9/11 are hounding this horn-headed devil.

Sucec has always been in love with art. "As a kid I liked making stuff out of cereal boxes, cutting things out of magazines and putting things together."

The main art influence was Don Olsen, her Jordan High School art teacher, an artist who was an influential Utah abstractionist in his own right. "From that point on I knew I could be an artist," Sucec said. "Olsen was a real artist so I knew it was possible for me to be one."

Sucec also teaches art — in her studio and at several schools. "Teaching is a big part of my life, but I really like painting." She'd prefer to paint more and teach less, but teaching helps pay the bills. "I don't sell my work very often, so. ... "

To gaze upon a Sucec canvas is to enter a psychedelic labyrinth; there are myriad paths to wander, and each eventual and necessary rest of the eye only makes you crave more. And so you go — on and on and on. It's a marvelous exercise.

"Sideshow" should be required viewing for all students of art and art history, and everybody else living under the false assumption that significant and proficient modern art cannot be found within the bounds of this "provincial" town.

If you go ...

What: "Sideshow: Bonnie Sucec Current Works"

Where: Utah Museum of Fine Art, University of Utah

When: Through Jan. 28, 2007

Gallery hours: Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Monday and holidays

How much: Adults $5, seniors and youth (ages 6-18) $3

Phone: 581-3580

Web: www.umfa.utah.edu

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E-mail: gag@desnews.com