Early Utah Masterpieces

What did Utah look like at the turn of the 20th century? While many historic buildings in town may provide a glimpse, the Early Utah Masterpieces art exhibit at the Park City Library (built in 1928, it was once Park City High School) showcases the majestic landscapes and everyday pioneer portraits of those that settled the Beehive State.

The Early Utah Masterpieces is free and open to the public. The artwork is made up of 26 giclee (fade-resistant) reproduction prints of original oils on canvas, board and masonry. The artwork is hung throughout the library with three prints and an intro plaque welcoming guests on the first floor and remaining paintings on the second floor and in the reading room.

The early Utah artists captured with delicacy and color the purple glow at sunset, the awe-inspiring mountains from a hay field to summer’s quaking aspens framed by a blue sky, among other pieces.

This classical look at early Utah life through art is a partnership between the Park City Library and the Utah Division of Arts & Museums. The paintings are part of the state’s Alice Art Collection. The collection is named after one of Utah’s first female state legislators, Alice Merrill Horne. An artist, environmentalist and suffragette, she was instrumental in establishing an import role for art in Utah and also the country. In 1899, she helped to draft the “Art Bill” that established a state collection of visual art. The Utah State Legislature unanimously passed the bill. She also is credited with founding the first state arts agency in the United States.

Early Utah Masterpieces is on display now through March 20, 2017.