The developing artist: Springville's high school show

SPRINGVILLE — High school is a time for experimentation, for exploration, for finding one's self. So it's not surprising that this year's All-State Utah High School Art Show at the Springville Museum is a broad and eclectic showcase of talent.

"We have a wonderful mix of realism, expressionism and abstract art," said Robert Nickelson, associate curator of education at the museum.

And there's a wide variety of genres, from oil and watercolor to drawing, photography, pottery, sculpture and found-object installation.

"And some of these are very ambitious pieces in size and scope," Nickelson said. Look at David Barrett's "Center Street Alley," for example. The large ink drawing shows the backs of dilapidated buildings. "It's not easy keeping the correct proportion and perspective in something like that." Or, look at James Reichman's ceramic pot. "It's hard in the structure and the limited time of the classroom to throw a pot this nice."

This is the 32nd year for the show. And this year 781 works from 75 schools were entered. Some 296 works were juried into the show and are exhibited in eight galleries and exhibit areas.

Each year, not only the size but also the quality continues to increase, said Nickelson, who has been involved with the high school show for the past 12 years. Knowing that they are working toward a juried show does a lot for the students, he said. "It raises the bar of excellence, of craftsmanship. And it means that everything must be done of a professional level: frames, matting, glass. They can't just slop something together.

"That gives the students an edge for future shows. And those that come here and see how professionally the show is put together, that helps prepare them for real life an an artist."

If you didn't know better, he said, you might be easily fooled by the quality of the show. "In past years we've had jurors from Christie's and Southeby's, and they've been amazed at what they find here." It reflects well on the art-education programs in Utah schools, he said.

The museum's involvement in these programs begins with posters, workshops and curriculum material it supplies, beginning with elementary schools. "You might say the show is the culmination of a pretty complete education plan," said Nickelson.

But he also credits community support. "There's so much cooperation between the universities, the arts councils, the museums, the high schools, the parents, teachers, students and the Legislature." At conferences he's attended, Nickelson has found "a lot of states have a hard time getting that kind of support."