Interest in art growing in downtown Provo

PROVO — A full-size sculpture of a bear outside the Coleman Studios art gallery is among several new sculptures that point to an interest among artists to exhibit their works in the historic downtown.

While Utah has never been considered a notable venue for fine art in the art world, it has produced several artists who have risen to national fame, including John Held Jr., Mahonri Young, Cyrus Dallin and Arnold Freiburg.

Many active artists live in the state, including the patriarch of the Coleman family, wildlife and landscape artist Michael Coleman. Successful artists, including Coleman, sell most of their works outside of Utah.

Utahns, as a people, haven't yet acquired a palate for fine art, noted Char Coleman, vice president of the art museum and wife of Coleman's son, Morgan. But that is changing, she said.

Only in Utah would people purchase a high-end home and then decorate it with posters, Char Coleman said.

"We are a frugal community. Your artwork appreciates in value. Your car won't," she said.

Still, Char Coleman believes a market for fine art is stirring in Utah. The Coleman family backed up that belief two years ago by converting a decades-old downtown building into an art gallery and print-making shop. For the first time the Freedom Festival Fine Art Exhibit moved from the Brigham Young University campus to an off-campus venue — Coleman Studios. (The exhibit ends July 27.)

The next monthlong exhibit begins Aug. 4 featuring the photography of former BYU student Chris Carlson.

Morgan Coleman started his print-making business in the basement of his home 12 years ago by creating digital prints of his father's limited edition paintings on canvas. As the business grew he moved to an Orem warehouse, then when the roof collapsed he moved again to the 117 N. University Ave. location, setting up shop in April 2004. Now he serves about 600 artists from all over the United States.

The Colemans gutted the building and rebuilt the interior, chipping through five layers of flooring before deciding to lay down a floor of hand-scraped ash.

Today the completed gallery shows its past with exposed brick in conjunction with a modern print-making business that can create huge prints as large as 47-by-72 inches.

"We believe in the rejuvenation of downtown Provo," Char Coleman said.