Spori Art Gallery at BYU-Idaho to exhibit works by Scott L. Christensen

Brigham Young University-Idaho will feature 22 works by nationally recognized landscape painter Scott L. Christensen. His exhibit, entitled "Scott L. Christensen-Small Works" will be on display from Wednesday, October 31 through Tuesday, November 20 in the Spori Art Gallery on campus.

"Scott Christensen may well be the preeminent landscape painter of our time," said Gerald Griffin, a member of the BYU-Idaho Art Department faculty and director of the gallery. "Scott's paintings emphasize the grandeur of nature through flawless composition and beautifully subdued color."

In addition to conducting on-site research for his art in the Greater Yellowstone area, Christensen has also visited the western and eastern U.S. seaboards, Hawaii, New Zealand, Sweden, England, Germany, Holland, and Ireland. After collecting information and photos from these areas, he returns to his studio in Jackson Hole, Wyoming to compose his larger landscapes.

"It is a rare treat to be able to present a Christensen show. Most of his work is held in private collections or museums. We are fortunate to be able to exhibit a group of Scott's studies, painted on location, from which he creates his finished paintings," Griffin said.

Although the works on display are small in scale, they represent Christensen's masterful grasp of the discipline through his use of color and composition. "It's a true test of discipline to remain in control and to not let the temptation of color force unwanted decisions," Christensen said.

Christensen's works have been exhibited and collected widely and are held in many museum collections including the Denver Art Museum, the National Museum of Wildlife Art, and the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. He was the winner of the prestigious Prix de West Award in 2000.

A reception is scheduled for Thursday, November 8 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the Spori Gallery. Refreshments will be served and the public is invited. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Special requests for groups or visits after hours can be made by calling Brenda Benedict at 496-2875.