JANUARY 09 - The work presented in this first annual Sego Studios Exhibit provides an insight into the practices of artists in Provo, UT- specifically those who have created work within the studio spaces at the Sego Art Center.  Each of the artists make work that is unique in concept, and that differs in subject matter and execution. While artist Julia Jones, in a manner similar to Elizabeth Peyton, paints portraits of close friends and family- Chris Allman constructs Utopian representations of an alternate world inhabited by humans, animals, humanoids, and anthropomorphs. Each of these creatures seem to be interacting in a grand narrative, playing an integral part in the outcome of particular events- situations that we as viewers cannot fully understand. Roland Thompson and Morgan Wakefield paint with painstaking process- their efforts resulting in graphic abstract works of immediate consequence- an artistic product of great interest and relevance to the current global artistic community. Other artists included in the show investigate aspects of visual culture, spirituality, and outsider-ism.
This particular group of artists represent an entire community of creation and collaboration which has been built around the Sego Art Center within it’s nine months of existence. The collaborations have most interestigly become wildly cross-disciplinary, resulting in group projects and interactions between visual artists, musicians, videographers, filmmakers, dancers, poets, writers, scholars, and others- and this is exaclty the type of environment that the Sego Art Center wishes to foster and perpetuate.

ANNEX:  These are some of my favorite (wild) things - A Group Project from Mrs. Bishop’s Third Grade Class at Edgemont Elementary School
Thirty-one students from Mrs. Bishop’s third grade class at Edgemont Elementary School traveled to the Bean Life Science Museum at Brigham Young University. Each child captured their favorite “wild thing” with a polaroid camera. Students then completed additional research and writing about their subjects, a practice that is reminiscient of the working manner of the contemporary artist Walton Ford. Ford will often conduct many hours of research, in order that he may better understand the wildlife he depicts in his paintings. This research empowers Ford to create works that have visual affinity to traditional Audubon paintings, but reach beyond mere anatomical study to acheive interesting narrative, conceptual significance, and humor. Thus, through the process of this show, this young group of artists are learning what it really means to be an artist today: not just creator of aesthetically pleasing objects, but also scientist, poet, or musician- to learn and engage in the world in important ways while encouraging engagement by all.