Downtown Provo is taking an exciting new direction

PROVO — This is the season of lights, festivities, holiday cheer and excitement. However, after the lights have come down and the festivities subside, the party is not over in downtown Provo. Major initiatives are well under way that are embellishing the cultural landscape of our downtown. We are experiencing unprecedented growth in the arts and culture of Provo that are creating a new dimension to the atmosphere of downtown. That is cause for celebration.

The Downtown Business Alliance of Provo says we've entered a new era for art in downtown Provo. Along with the Provo Arts Council, it is hoped that the concerted initiatives of arts in Provo will be a boost for downtown and for the city in general. Businesses benefit because of increased visibility and attention brought to downtown Provo, and the community benefits from the beautiful artworks displayed, says Susan Bradford, executive director of the Downtown Business Alliance.

In July, sculptures on each block of Center Street were unveiled, representing a new emphasis on a stronger arts atmosphere. The mural on Freedom Boulevard is a symbol of artistic innovation and reflects the history of the city. This is just a beginning of projects designed to create a greater cultural community in downtown. Two main features of this directive are the ongoing Gallery Stroll and the Arts Center that will open next May.

The Art Center will have a major impact on downtown, said Kathryn S. Allen, executive director of the arts council. "We foresee opening a center for the arts in downtown Provo that will enable this area to attract artists and economic development and combined with other cultural entities this area will flourish. The Art Center will become a vibrant gateway to downtown Provo," she said.

The Gallery Stroll is another cultural attraction that has drawn great interest. Participation, enjoyment and patronage of art in downtown is encouraged in this free evening of art and entertainment. The Gallery Stroll features local galleries in downtown, and each extends its hours from 6 until 9 p.m. the first Friday of every month. The Freedom Gallery, Coleman Studios, Utah County Gallery, Terra Nova Galley, Gallery OneTen and others participate and exhibit works from Utah artists.

A prodigious variety of events cater to audiences of every taste in downtown. Center Street Musical Theater offers theater. Festivals, celebrations, parades, specialized exhibits, pageants and musical events elevate the flair and scope of the vibrancy of downtown.