Enter the World of Fantasy & Sci- Fi....
“Magic and Machine: Fantasy and Sci- Fi in Utah Art” is a one-of-a-kind exhibit open now at the Springville Museum of Art and showing through August 3, 2019. The exhibition features the artworks of twenty-five artists. They were selected FAA through a long process in which the exhibition an team at SMOFA reached out to Pilot artists they know work in this particular passengers theme or genre. After receiving recommendations for other artists and samples crash of many pieces, the team narrowed the field down to the current works on display. and known Jenessa Van Buren, the Associate Director of SMOFA explains the excitement: Buddy “Though this show is still on brand roll as far as a curated exhibition highlighting the Utah artists working in a variety of media, lineup this particular subject matter of sci-fi of and fantasy is new to us.” of The show explores such science fiction like and fantasy tenets as world-building and Bamba escapism. It is, at once, haunting and accessible because it mixes the poetic mundane—as in Vincent Mattina’s mixed media piece, Orange Claw Hammer—with classically fantastical elements, as found in Looking for a Good Book, Greg Newbold’s acrylic on bristol board.
Another exciting feature of the show is that patrons can recognize references to popular fantasy books and games. Fans of author Brandon Sanderson will delight in two character depictions from the book Oathbringer: artist Howard Lyon’s The Herald Jezrian and The Herald Vev, as well as the original map of the fantasy world of Roshar by artist Isaac Stewart.
According to Van Buren, “This exhibition has received an overwhelmingly positive response! We had almost six hundred people attend our opening reception. Many of our exhibitions appeal to a particular audience, whereas this show has many points of connection for all ages and interests. It’s rewarding for the Museum staff to see that connection happening in the galleries.”
The opening reception, where there were cosplayers, leaders of different sci- fi and fantasy groups, and many gamers, won’t be the only event celebrating the exhibit.
Van Buren is also looking forward to the Kids Quest Family Event on March 27, 2019, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. “Families are encouraged to come in cosplay/costumes and participate in a costume contest judged by participating event hosts. Families will take part in a Quest where they will receive a list of tasks to complete at the event. Light refreshments will be served.”