The third wave

SPRINGVILLE — Through the end of October, visitors to the Springville Museum of Art (SMA) can experience "The Third Wave: An Exhibition of Nine Artists." The show features the paintings of Steve Adams, Brad Aldridge, Bruce Brainard, Doug Fryer, Brian Kershisnik, Ron Richmond, Todd Stilson, Michael Workman and Christopher Young.

Vern Swanson, director of the SMA, explains in the exhibition notes that the artists are known — in some art circles — as "The Third Wave" because "they were the third surge of students who graduated between 1987-89 from Brigham Young University who were influenced by the school's earlier Art and Belief Movement." (The Art and Belief Movement was a reactionary movement that strove to combine religion and art through the use of sacred geometry, divine symmetry and the religious subjects of past epochs.)

Dale Fletcher, professor of art, initiated the first wave. It included Gary Smith, Dennis Smith and Trevor Southey. Wulf Barsch lead the second wave, along with Doug Himes, Alex Bigney and Lee Udal Bennion.

The artists of the third wave are also all professionals. "It is estimated that only about one out of 100 students will ever become full time like these nine artists," said Swanson.

Swanson described how it wasn't until after they left BYU and started their painting careers that they actually all became friends.

"Their group got its start when Todd Stilson and Chris Young organized an art expedition to Europe in March of 1998," Swanson said. Stilson and Young called their painter friends to see if they wanted to join them. "Seven of them spent 19 days in museums and galleries in the day and playing cards on the train by night."

At BYU, each of the artists studied under Barsch, Bruce Smith, Hagan Haltern, Jim Christensen, Robert Marshall, Himes and Wayne Kimball. Each of the nine is a consummate draftsman and painter.

Unfortunately for museum visitors, "The Third Wave" was put together quickly: another artist canceled his show, leaving two galleries vacant. Because of this, most of the paintings in the exhibit are familiar, having been seen in previous shows this year. (Many of the nine have their newest paintings at other exhibitions at the moment.)

Also, some of the paintings on display are of a secondary status.

Another thing missing from the exhibit, due to time constraints, is three artists who are truly part of "The Third Wave": David Linn, Rebecca Wagstaff and Clay Wagstaff, three equally talented individuals making their living as artists.

That said, one might wonder if it is worth driving all the way to Springville to see the exhibit.

It is.

"The Third Wave: An Exhibition of Nine Utah Artists" is a good show that combines the work of artists who will no doubt be responsible for the ideas and techniques of a "Fourth Wave."

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