The views are simply stunning. If there’s one thing at Summit Creek that never ceases to amaze, it is the panorama that meets your eyes every time you walk outside or pass by a window. Looking north on a clear day, one can see as far away as Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake. As you gaze past the many surrounding peaks for which Summit Creek is named, nature provides a continually changing show of color and light. It’s enough to make one wax poetic, or pick up a paintbrush.
Art and nature have always been deeply intertwined. Life in Summit Creek lends itself to artistic expression, with the ever-present beauty of mountains and wildlife. Part of artful living is choosing an inspiring place to reside, and Summit Creek provides natural and human-designed environments that stimulate creativity. A day could pass quickly here wandering about with a camera, or perched at the mail center overlook with an easel and palette.
Beyond the gate, it doesn’t take long to find exciting examples of fine art by artists hailing from Utah and around the globe. For a fun dose of visual culture and community spirit, attend an Art After Dark event event at the BYU Museum of Art (MOA). Held to celebrate exhibition openings, these evening gatherings welcome the public to stop in for refreshments, entertainment, and browsing through the galleries. This month, the highlighted opening is Shaping America: Selected Works from the Permanent Collection of American Art. Comprised of a mix of paintings, sculpture, and photography, the exhibition features 80 works by prominent artists, such as Frederic Remington, Maynard Dixon, and John Singer Sargent. Parking and general admission at the MOA are free, and there are many opportunities here to learn and explore with art.
If your love of art runs deep, and you just can’t get enough, the Springville Museum of Art is also less than 30 minutes away. Dedicated in 1937, Springville boasts a permanent collection with three unique areas of focus: Utah art spanning 150 years, twentieth-century Soviet Realism, and American art. The museum also exhibits juried shows of Utah contemporary art, including its annual Spring Salon, which will open for the 92nd time on April 20, 2016. Like the MOA, admission and parking are free, making it easy to pop in for a visit to see and support Utah’s inventive, hard-working artists.
Taking in so much art just might awaken your inner muse. Why not stop by a local art supply store, see where the mood takes you? Beginners might try one of many community art classes available in the area. Or, perhaps you’re ready to take a deeper dive by signing up for a traditional plein air painting course at a nearby art training school? After all, there is no better place for perfecting the art of painting outdoors than Summit Creek. Then again, maybe all you need do is step outside to discover the endless magic of those awe-inspiring vistas.
