peter everett

Two oil paintings and an edition of lithographic prints by Everett were included in the exhibition, which opened at the Crystal Bridges Museum in February 2020 Last April, Department of Art professor Peter Everett was contacted by the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art for a studio visit. Curatorial team Lauren Haynes, Allison Glenn and Alejo Bendetti were narrowing down their list of potential artists to feature in State of the Art 2020, the second iteration of an expansive exhibition that seeks to showcase a diverse cross-section of contemporary art in the United States. Haynes — curator of contemporary art at Crystal Bridges and of visual arts at the Momentary, Crystal Bridges’ new contemporary space — visited Everett’s studio, as well as several other artists around Utah. “It was a good visit, and Lauren was really thoughtful,” said Everett, “but I didn’t know if anything would come as a result of the visit.” That August, however, Everett was invited to take part in the exhibition as one of 61 artists from across the country — and the only artist chosen from Utah. “It was an honor for me to be curated into this exhibition,” said Everett. “This is a powerhouse team of curators with a great understanding of contemporary art in our country, and I was flattered to be the representative of Utah. It has been great to show my work alongside so many amazing and accomplished artists.” In addition to the two large oil paintings of Everett’s included in the exhibition, an edition of hand-pulled lithographic prints was also commissioned for the exhibition’s opening, a project Everett produced with master printer and retired BYU professor Wayne Kimball. Everett describes his own work as an exploration of the non-linear narratives that reside, interact and evolve between moments. “These narratives often exist between the apocalyptic and magical and frequently locate themselves in the quiet immediately before or after something has happened,” said Everett. “I am interested in forms and entities that have an immediate visual power, physicality and a sense of urgency growing from a place just out of sight. Visual phenomena that I experience in transitional periods — between sleep and consciousness or in a meditative state — are often used as source material. These liminal spaces and the forms they generate have an energy that feels familiar and strange, like echoes from a parallel reality.” In February, Everett traveled to Bentonville, Arkansas to visit Crystal Bridges and attend the opening of the Momentary and State of the Art 2020. The exhibition will be on display through May 24, 2020. “Crystal Bridges is an amazing institution with a breathtaking facility and collection of art,” he said. “The new contemporary space, The Momentary, is equally impressive and promises to energize art and culture in our country.” Though measures taken to prevent COVID-19 have temporarily closed the museum, Crystal Bridges continues to promote art from the exhibition online, and there are plans to take State of the Art 2020 on the road to museums across the country. Everett’s inclusion in the exhibition is a significant accomplishment, but he sees the achievement as “equal parts luck and hard work.” “I think it is important to recognize there are so many great artists around the country and in Utah that could have been included in this show,” he said. “I am a committed artist and have been making art for a long time, but that does not always bring exhibitions and recognition. I had many studio visits in 2019, and some led to good things and others didn't. Happily, the visit with Lauren Haynes led to this opportunity.” For Everett, this experience has reminded him of the importance of finding internal rewards and an honest voice as an artist. “I feel it is important to not pay too much attention to extrinsic rewards and praise and to not get discouraged when there is a dry spell,” said Everett. “These things can be fickle and come and go. What is critical is to be honest and focus on where your center is, what you have to offer and what is intrinsically rewarding that you can hold onto even if no one else seems interested.”

Designed by Actual Source and curated by Executive Director of UMOCA Laura Hurtado, “A 15-Year Expanse” was created to help build connections between generations of alumni

Faculty members and students of the College of Fine Arts and Communications participate in regional, national and international competitions every year. It is not uncommon for members of the college to receive prestigious awards on an annual basis. 2015 was a particularly successful year for the college as awards ranged from the Contemporary Dance Company winning the Grand Prix at the New Prague Dance Festival to numerous awards the Department of Theatre and Media Arts received from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for their production of “Our Town.” The college continues to thrive as an acclaimed institution of the arts and communications. Highlights of the student awards include more than 20 Graphis awards for Design students, a Student Emmy Animation students received for Ram’s Horn, Communications students receiving Mark of Excellence, Gracie, Addy and Effie awards and a music student receiving an Honorable Mention for Outstanding Music at the New York Musical Theatre Festival. The faculty of the college are also active in remaining competitive amongst their peers on a local, national and international level. Art professors Daniel Everett, Peter Everett and Bryon Draper received awards for their artwork. TMA professor, Stephanie Breinholt received Outstanding Director of a Play and the Innovative Teaching Award from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Design professors, David Dibble, Robert Machoian Graham, Justin Kunz, Eric Gillett and Adrian Pulfer received local and national honors. Two music professors, Rosalind Hall and Ronald Staheli were awarded Creative Works Awards. PRWeek named the School of Communications’ public relations program as one of the top five in the nation. PHOTO BY BYU PHOTO: BYU received 13 national awards from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival for the production of Our Town. Student Achievements of 2015 Faculty Achievements of 2015