State Fine Art Collection

Blackrock by J.T. Harwood
First Purchase for the State Fine Arts Collection

Utah’s state-owned art collection began in 1899 under the leadership of Alice Merrill Horne, who ran for office on a platform of support for the arts. Once elected to the House of Representatives she sponsored a bill to create a state arts organization and to establish a state collection of artwork.

A letter written by Alice Merrill Horne lists a number of paintings that formed the first acquisitions of the collection. Some artists, but no titles, were also mentioned in the letter. It is this information that begins the history of the State Fine Art Collection.

The continued acquisition of artwork by Utah artists comes from purchases selected by the Collection Acquisition Committee and generous donations from patrons and artists.

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Featured Artist - James Christensen

James C. Christensen was raised in Culver City, California and attended UCLA. He then moved to Utah to finish his higher education at Brigham Young University - the same school where taught art for over 20 years (until the late 1990s).

His main body of work, mostly paintings, is heavily influenced by fantasy themes and have a philosophical message. Even his small body of religious work shows heavy fantasy influence. Christensen says his inspirations are myths, fables, fantasies, and tales of imagination. He is loath to describe them, however, preferring to allow the viewer to discern their own message. Although not employed in all of his paintings, his trademark is a flying or floating fish, often on a leash.

Christensen has published more than three books, including A Journey of the Imagination: The Art of James Christensen (1994), Voyage of the Basset (1996) and Rhymes & Reasons (1997). Christensen also illustrated A Shakespeare Sketchbook (May 2001) with text by Renwick St. James.

Retirement by James Christensen
Intaglio/Etching, 1994
Added to the State Fine Arts Collection in 1995

Recent Acquisitions

Each year, the Division receives an appropriation for the Utah State Legislature to purchase additional pieces for the State Fine Art Collection. Click on the image below to find out more about the artists and other art that might already be in the collection.


Jody Behrens, Expanded Skyline, print, 2009	Blair Buswell, Right Lead, bronze, 2005


Russell Case, Distant Rain, Looking Toward Mt. Carmel, oil on canvas, 2007	Russell Case, The Valley, oil on canvas, no date


James Christensen, Touching the Hem, oil on canvas, 2003	Doug Fryer, Snow Across the Sevier River Valley, oil on panel, 2008


Bruce H. Smith, The Bride and a Stack of Glittery, Sightless Bachelors Feigning Insight, oil on board, 2005-9	Sylvia Davis, Variety Mix, wood, 2009