Arts groups unite to keep pioneer heritage strong

Wherever they went in the Intermountain West, the pioneers took their arts with them: song, dance, stories, poetry, brass bands, even such art-crafts as quilting and woodworking.

A lot of artisans still practice those heritage arts, but Utah now has a new organization designed to bring all of them under one umbrella. An official "Signing of the Memorandum of Agreement" for the Utah Pioneer Heritage Arts association took place Thursday night at the Sons of Utah Pioneers National Headquarters. The evening featured performances by various groups involved in the project, as well as the signing ceremony.

"We feel there is a great need for the preservation of our heritage," said Shawnda Bishop, director of Clog America, and one of the driving forces behind the new organization. "We hope to bring together all the groups that are trying to preserve a part of that heritage to collaborate and gain strength. We hope to establish a home to preserve, celebrate and pass on these arts."

Many of the heritage arts are struggling to stay alive, added Clive Romney, of Enoch Train, who is also instrumental in the arts association. "Collaboration is the key, not only to let these arts survive but thrive. A lot of people love these arts, but we need to make them more visible. Working together, we can have presentations that have more depth."

For example, he thinks it would be fun for a musician to talk to a quilter, write a song about a quilt, and then have the quilt on stage as the song is performed. UPHA also envisions festivals where all the groups can come together, and putting together presentations for conventions and other groups. "Heritage is big business. A lot of people pay a lot of money to see how things used to be," Romney said; UPHA needs to tap into that.

They also hope to do outreach programs in the schools and take kids on field trips to Gardner Village and other places, and are also working on a Web site.

Founding members of UPHA include groups such as the Utah Old Time Fiddlers, Clog America, Cowboy Poets of Utah, Institute of American Music, Wasatch Contras, Gardner Village, National Pony Express, Utah Storytelling Guild, Nashville Songwriters Association International, Old-Time Utah Dances, Association of Square Dance Clubs of Utah, Utah Talent Showdown, Folklore Society of Utah, Enoch Train, Caboose, Bluesage Band, Mountain Men Association and the Utah Quilt Guild.

Membership in UPHA is open to groups and individuals interested in heritage arts. For more information or to become involved, e-mail Bishop at Iae123@gmail.com