Old Dome Meeting Hall gains a reputation for quality art exhibits
Feb 03, 2025 02:03PM ● By Peri Kinder
Frank Treseder, an artist and prisoner at the Utah Territorial Penitentiary, painted a picture of the prison in 1887. His “Utah Territorial Prison” oil on canvas was displayed at the Old Dome Meeting Hall as part of a traveling exhibition from the Utah Division of Arts and Museums. (Photo courtesy of UDAM)
Celebrating more than a century of art, the Old Dome Meeting Hall (1452 W. 12600 South) in Riverton hosted a traveling art exhibit in January from the Utah Division of Arts and Museums. Selections from the State of Utah Alice Merrill Horne Art Collection, featuring pieces from some of Utah’s finest artists, were displayed during the exhibit.
“It’s 125 years of collecting for the Utah State art collection,” said Riverton City Arts Administrator Vicki Wartman. “If you look up Alice Merrill Horne, she was an amazing lady who had tons to do with education and art in Utah. I’ve been told by some of my art friends that the reason why we have art in school in Utah is because of Alice Merrill Horne.”
The exhibit featured works that spotlight moments in history throughout the state. Frank Tresser, a prisoner at Utah’s Territorial Penitentiary (now the location of Sugar House Park) created an oil painting of the prison in 1887.
Florence Ellen Ware (1891-1971) graduated from the University of Utah and attended the Art Institute of Chicago. In 1940, she was the first President of the Association of Utah Artists and taught at the University of Utah. Ware’s painting “Portrait on the Beach” was on display at the exhibit.
Carlos Anderson (1904-1978) was a painter and graphic designer who graduated from Jordan High School. The exhibit included his 1934 pencil drawing, “Home Main Street.”
The collection at the Utah Division of Arts and Museums also includes works from Utah artists Rob Chipman, Anna Mackay Allred and Emily Farnham.
“It’s so cool that we’re celebrating 125 years of art in Utah because in Utah we don’t get the recognition that we deserve, as far as art in the United States,” Wartman said. “So it’s cool that we are still really into our arts, as far as art galleries and productions and all that kind of stuff.”
Exhibits at the meeting hall are growing in popularity. Wartman said there aren’t a lot of galleries in the Southwest part of the valley and she’s encouraged to see more interest in the displays.
“We’ve had a lot of people come in and we’re getting more and more recognized or having an art exhibit here all the time,” she said. “You need to go see some art and Old Dome always has an exhibit going.”
Coming up next at the Old Dome Meeting Hall is the Not Your Parents Art Show featuring original art pieces made by youth up to age 18. The show runs from Feb. 3-26.
“This is my most popular art show,” Wartman said. “I usually get about 150 submissions…I think because it’s not juried. When the kids get into junior high and high school, their art gets juried and it’s hard on their egos and their self-esteem. I believe what Picasso said, that every child is an artist. It doesn’t matter what it looks like, it’s still art. Draw outside the lines, do whatever you want.”
Visitors can attend the Not Your Parents Art Show Monday through Wednesday, from noon to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday visits are available by appointment. To schedule a group or school tour, contact Wartman at 385-237-3421 or [email protected]. λ