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Show itl OPENS HERE THOBSBaY MAYOR O.K. HANSEN OF PROVO DELIVERS SPLENDID ADDRESS DR. GEORGE SMART HONORED I 1 MAYOH O. K. IIANSKX j The fifth nnnual national art exhibit ex-hibit of the Springville high school was appropriately opened at the high school auditorium Thursday aflcrnoon. Hundreds of townspeople townspeo-ple joined the students, while art lovers from every section of the county were present to wilncss the many beautiful paintings exhibited. While not so many paintings arc-on arc-on exhibit this year as last, the quality of the paintings is a great deal higher, (ireater discernment was practiced this year resulting in many paintings offered for the exhibit ex-hibit being rejected and returned to the artists. The presentation of a beautiful portrait por-trait of Dr. George L. Smart, of Salt Lake City, to the high school art collection was one of the outstanding out-standing features of the owning program. The presentation was made by .Mrs. John It. Anderson, president of the Home Culture club of Springville, ill behalf of the club. In her address, Mrs. Anderson characterized char-acterized Dr. Smart as the father of the art movement of the community commu-nity and praised him for the interest has taken for so many years even though not a resident of Springville, She said that the Home Culture club in presenting the portrait por-trait wished to perpetuate the name of Dr. Smart. The ma in address was given by Dr. O. K. Hansen, mayor of l'rovo, who was introduced as one of the greatest art lovers of the state. In bis forceful way he impressed upon his hearers the fact that if the art collection of the Springville high school and, the annual exhibit here of the best of paintings from all over the United States does not reflect re-flect itself In the spiritual makeup of the citizens of the community, the effort has been in vain. E. E. Knudsen, principal of the school, presided at the meeting in the absence of J. F. Wingate, chairman chair-man of the art committee who is confined to his home on account of sickness. Iiev. S. Barrett Hall offered of-fered the invocation: after which Principal Knudsen welcomed visitors vis-itors in behalf of the students of the school, through whose efforts and sacrifices, he said, this art exhibit had been made possible. The high scholastic standing of the students of Springville high school was traced directly to the atmosphere of the art collection by Hay L. Done, former principal of the school and now principal of the Tlntic high school at Eureka. He declared that he Is certain beyond doubt that the annual exhibits have materially raised the scholarship of the school. He said that the students stu-dents have exerted themselves to do their work better than others have I ever done that work. "Dost Tlvmi Know Tl ft Fair Land" from the opera "Mignon" was rendered by Miss Melba Con-die. Con-die. Two selection were played by the Young university string trio, consisting of Leltoy Robertson, Elmer El-mer E. Nelson and Harvard Olson. In behalf of the high school art association, A. G. Jaeohsen accepted the portrait of Dr. George L. Smart. Two tenor and alto duels were sung by Leila Thompson and Evan Madseii of the Young university music department. "To be absent from the Springville Spring-ville art exhibit Is like missing a 'birthday," said Dr. Smart in response re-sponse to nil urgent request that he express himself regarding tile present exhibit. "Each year it becomes be-comes a bigger and a better birthday. birth-day. In the language of the boys, I get a great kick from my visit to the exhibit from year to year lo watch It grow." He reviewed the history of the art movement of the Springville high school during the past 18 years. He told how a few art lovers used to go to the art galleries of the slate and select a picture or two to add to the collectl and how finally Virgil Ilafen had fosered the idea of n local exhibit inviting the leading artists of tile nation to send their pictures here. He expressed .ratification in the big worth of the xhibit and predicted that, it would gro wto even greater bounds. Two whistling solos were given by Elton Sunnier of the Young university. uni-versity. Tlie Junior class male quartet of the Young university sang two selections. se-lections. "Any community rega'nl'l'ss of . size may feel proud in providing . such a wonderful art exhibit as we are witnessing here today." begun .May Hansen. Especially then should Spring-. Spring-. villi- feel decidedly complimented In this achievement. It represents . work, money, 'eiilliiisiasni. and a I love for the heallliful. which will (Continued on Page Two) SPRINGVILLE ART EXHIBIT (Continued from Page One) be rewarded by the enrichment of the lives of all who may be fortunate fortun-ate enough to come under the in- t'ltience of this wonderful expression of skill and beauty.'' The speaker stated that he wotHd not attempt to tell everything about art for art's sake, but declared that he would be saisfied if lie could in a general way remind those present pres-ent of how the fundamental principles prin-ciples of art may be carried over into the activities of life. Quoting from John C. Van Dyke he said, "Art is the expression of life," and continued this thought by saying: ''I think we may accept this statement, and in so doing we shall of necessity admit that if art is to be of high order the life ou of which it comes must likewise be superior. Would we not also be justified in reversing the statement and say that life is the expression, of art? Your presense here this af-trenoon af-trenoon bears witness that this at least in a measure is true. "We all know the lives that have been stimulated and even changed through the inspiration of some expression ex-pression of art. It may have been a painting, a symphony, a poem, a garden, a home or a statue. Whatever What-ever form the expression assumed in some wny it enriched and made better bet-ter the lives affected. "If this be true we will see the necessity of offering to the public only the best In art. A stream cannot can-not rise above its source, and it is gratifying to note that in our community com-munity our artistic source is lofty and wholesome." Mayor Hansen then explained the constructive charactistics in individuals individ-uals and declared that the person who has never created anything knows but little of the joy of living. He stated, however, that America is awakening from its state of lethargy leth-argy with regard to art and the finer things of life, and declared that such demonstrations as the Springville art exhibit are impelling factors in putting forth greater effort. ef-fort. "History confirms us in saying the things that live in civilization are the spiritual creations," continued contin-ued Mayor Hansen, "and while we do not expect to need the services of a Gibbon so far as our wonderful country is concerned we observe that the things we have. We observe that the things we have thnt are wearing best are the mental and spiritual creation of Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Emerson, Poe, Whistler, Stewart and others. "One of the most beautiful expressions ex-pressions of potential America is found in the statue of Lincoln at Chicago, by St. Gaudens. Franklin K. Lane records the following characteristics char-acteristics depicted with chisel in thrtt wonderful work of art: 'Physical 'Phy-sical strength, common sense, sympathy, sym-pathy, idealism, practicability, humility, hu-mility, ambition for usefulness, compassion, com-passion, mercy, patience, superiority, humor, genuiuess, courage and faith in God.' "When our eyes become so trained that we can look at a work of art and see what the artist saw; when we can hear in a symphony what the composer heard ; when he can feel the inspiration of the poet; when we can enjoy the harmony of the decorator; when we can see the beautiful in life and say 'it is good' then and then only will we be able to live our lives in the fullest possible pos-sible way. "After all the purpose of art is to help us live and live more abundantly.'' |