Inside the beautiful Eccles Fine Arts Center on Dixie State University campus is a wonderful way to commune with the artistic world: The Sears Art Gallery St George.
Located on the corner of 100 South and 700 East in St. George, Utah, the Sears Art Gallery St George welcomes a variety of exhibits throughout the year. Among those exhibits is the current display of pieces by Julie Rogers.
Sears Art Gallery St George | Background
When the Sears Art Gallery St George opened in 2004, it opened the door to a whole new way for Dixie State University, and the St. George community, could enjoy art. Prior to opening the Sears Art Gallery St George, exhibits were often placed along the walls in the Cox Auditorium and other places on campus. While the Cox is an excellent auditorium, it simply doesn’t have the space to truly enjoy pieces of fine art the way the Sears Art Gallery St George does. As you can imagine, the gallery itself is named for the generous donors who made it possible: Robert N. and Peggy Sears.
The annual fundraiser for the Sears Art Gallery St George is known as the Robert N. and Peggy Sears Dixie Invitational Art Show and Sale. This popular exhibit opens with a gala dinner and auction and features roughly 100 artists and 200 paintings. One of the paintings is selected by a panel of judges to be the Purchase Prize Winner. This means it is purchased by Dixie State University and added to the permanent collection.
According to the Sears Art Gallery St George web site, the mission of the gallery is to “engage visitors in discovering meaningful connections with artistic expressions and presents opportunities for conversation, contemplation and a cooperative experience.”
In other words, this gallery is truly an asset to the community.
On display
Because of the way the Sears Art Gallery St George is set up, there is room for multiple exhibits happening at the same time.
Mother-daughter duo
For example, currently in the foyer of the Eccles Fine Arts Center — just outside the Sears Gallery — there is a mother-daughter exhibit by Deena Millecam and Shirley Riley.
This exhibit features watercolor pieces by Deena Millecam, accompanied by poetry written by Shirley Riley. The result is an excellent combination.
Michelangelo’s Pieta
It’s not exactly what I expected to see. I was busy enjoying the beautiful pioneer pieces by Julie Rogers. But there is was. The famous Pieta by Michelangelo. It’s a piece that is widely viewed as the greatest work of sculpture ever created.
According to the brochure placed near the piece, Michelangelo’s Pieta “balances the Italian High Renaissance classical beauty with naturalism.”
It is believe the Pieta was created between 1450 and 1500 when the artist was in his early 20s.
Now, before you start thinking somehow Dixie State University managed to procure the actual Pieta sculpture, let me explain. DSU is able to have one of the marble castings of this famous piece of art. This is thanks to a generous contribution from an anonymous donor. There are only 100 marble castings of the Pieta. The casting is made from a mold from the original Pieta that sits inside St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, Rome.
In an article on Spectrum Media’s web site, museum curator Kathy Cieslewicz makes her pleasure known.
“Imagine being able to view the Pietà in a very close and personal way, studying the delicate folds in Mary’s garments and her touchingly expressive face,” Cieslewicz said. “Imagine all who will appreciate seeing this masterpiece, many who would never have otherwise had the opportunity to see it in St. Peter’s, and even then, only to view it from 30 feet away and behind bulletproof glass. Imagine realizing there is no greater love than that of a mother for her child and the epiphany of knowing the greatest thing one can do in the world is to love their children.”
If you haven’t taken the opportunity to see this at the Sears Art Gallery St George, that alone is worth a visit.
Julie Rogers display
If you’re looking for a way to capture the hope, the conviction, the love and the hardship of pioneers throughout the ages, this exhibit is it. It’s called Essence of Hope by Julie Rogers. It’s showing through Aug. 17. The Sears Art Gallery St George hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Her pieces capture the hope-filled faces of these courageous pioneers.
Joining the Julie Rogers exhibit at the Sears Art Gallery St George is Matt Rogers pottery display. Remarkable pieces, including a cheese platter, vases, character faces and more. The combination of the two makes for an extremely pleasant time wandering through the Sears Art Gallery St George.
The power of art
So, maybe art exhibits aren’t really your thing. Maybe you haven’t figured out why you should be interested in something like the exhibits at Sears Art Gallery St George. But, have you considered the benefits of art? The power of fine art?
According to an article by John M. Eger, there is a real problem with “the arts getting squeezed out of us” by around 4th grade. So much emphasis is placed on left-brain studies and activities. We favor math and science over art and literature. But according to the article, “more neuroscientists, psychologists and educators and others are finding the arts to help nurture the right hemisphere of the brain.” According to some experts this is “exactly what the more left-brained curriculum needs to create new thinking skills leading to creativity.”
Of course no one is saying that attending such a show will solve the world’s problems. No would attending any of the many other galleries in town. It can’t hurt to expose yourself, and your family to something outside your normal realm. You know, get the creative juices flowing.
Think you’d like to live somewhere with such an emphasis on fine art and culture? Check out these wonderful options listed here.
