PROVO, UTAH
The story behind Brigham Young University's massive permanent art collection actually has a fairly inauspicious beginning.
The Church-owned university was just a few decades old when it acquired its first painting: a donated oil by noted Latter-day Saint artist John Hafen entitled "Sycamore Tree."
The collection has grown in sycamore fashion since that maiden acquisition. Today's permanent collection at BYU's Museum of Art boasts more than 17,000 objects — including paintings, photography, prints and sculptures. While such a vast array of objects has helped boost the reputation of the museum, it's also provided the museum with a reliable "go-to" source of artwork to anchor its ever-changing exhibits.
Museum curator Marian Wardle said the permanent collection consists largely of objects that patrons of all backgrounds can recognize, appreciate and enjoy.
"We have a very fine American collection," said Sister Wardle. Indeed, the museum has placed special emphasis on American art ranging from the late 18th century to the present. Over the years, it has secured large holdings of Hudson River School landscape paintings and the works of many noted American impressionists. Counted among the collections are works of art from American heavyweights such as John Singer Sargent, Ralph Earl and Norman Rockwell.
While the BYU-MOA maintains its commitment to collecting quality American art, it is also, not surprisingly, continually adding to its collection of religious art. Latter-day Saint patrons immediately recognize the Book of Mormon works of Minerva Teichert (a grandmother of Sister Wardle). And Carl Bloch's altar piece "Christ Healing the Sick at Bethesda" is already counted among the jewels of the permanent collection.
Such objects have already assumed prominent roles in several of the museum's recent religious-themed exhibits.
Sister Wardle said the range and quality of the permanent collection has been realized thanks largely to the generosity of several key donors. Such donations have allowed the museum to acquire an impressive array of objects from beloved artists such as Teichert, Mahonri Young and Maynard Dixon.
Relationships of faith and trust between the museum and would-be donors have proven invaluable in building the permanent collection.
"Many Mormons have a fond spot for the university," added Sister Wardle.
When not on display in one of the museum's many galleries, the vast majority of the permanent collection is stored on site at the museum. "Our mission is to collect, exhibit and preserve," said Sister Wardle.
A state-of-the-art, climate-controlled storage facility inside the museum ensures that each object remains well-preserved and secure.
Sister Wardle and her colleagues at the museum are anxious to once again display many of the most prominent works from the permanent collection. A semi-permanent exhibit entitled "Shaping America" will be opened next March and consist entirely of works from the school's permanent collection.
Long-time museum patrons will recognize many of the objects in the future exhibit — but expect a few surprises. Sister Wardle said "Shaping America" will be diverse and include works by Native American, Hispanic and African American artists.
"We're excited about it," she said.
The BYU Museum of Art is located on the BYU campus and is open to the public, free admission. Contact the museum at 801-422-8287.
