Two plump, brown chickens sitting in a smooth, white dish is Scott Sheltra's favorite piece hanging in the Wayne Thiebaud exhibit at the Springville Museum of Art. Rich brown colors compose the two birds, painted in thick-textured brush strokes that would probably jump from the white canvas if there wasn't a frame containing them. At closer inspection, intermingled with the browns, Thiebaud masterfully adds a touch of red, green, yellow and blue.

"It's easy to get lost in the lines and colors," said Sheltra, the museum's Stewart fellow. "Soon you'll forget you're looking at a chicken."

Painting everything from barbequed chickens to ice cream and cake, to bathing-suited beach-goers, Thiebaud is considered to be one America's most famous artists, said Natalie Petersen, associate director at the Springville Museum of Art

The Springville Museum of Art, which opened its doors in 1903, houses more than 1,500 different pieces. Currently, the museum has two summer exhibits on display: the Thiebaud exhibit and the Annual Spring Salon exhibit.

As a traveling art exhibit, from now until July 29, 84 Thiebaud art pieces will be on display.

Thiebaud was raised in Longbeach, Calif., and currently resides in Sacramento. Though Thiebaud is 87 years old, he's still an avid art student, considering himself a "sign painter gone uppity," Petersen said.

Many classify Thiebaud as a pop artist because of his use of bright, contrasting colors and comic-like images. But most people at the Springville Museum of Art don't agree.

"It's unfair to say he's a pop artist because a lot of pop art is satirical and dark," Sheltra said.

Instead, Thiebaud's art is nostalgic, enlightened and energetic, said Nicole Romney, assistant curator and registrar. His art is full of childlike enjoyment, she said.

"He uses paint the way a baker uses icing on a cake," Sheltra said. "He creates paintings you can almost eat."

Volunteer Roger West said the Thiebaud exhibit is a great place for anyone, even families with small children. Cleverly provided, at the entrance of Thiebaud's exhibit, is a card with a list of items for children to find: two pink flowers, a fishing pole, hard-boiled eggs, bananas, 18 dogs, the word "Burgers," etc.

Anyone can have fun looking for these items in Thiebaud's art, West said. Just ask the children to find all 18 dogs, or the painting of bananas, he said, and the children will think it's a fun game.

The second exhibit, which is on display through July 6, features selected entries from the 84th annual Spring Salon. This juried competition combines the talents of Utah artists into two floors of visual pleasure, ranging from black-and-white photography to thought-provoking paintings. It's a collection of amazing variety, Petersen said.

"There's a great array of talent here in Utah," Romney said. "This art is from our own backyard."

The purpose of the Spring Salon is to help promote quality art among Utah artists, Petersen said.

Since the Springville Museum is free, it maintains a strong volunteer program. About 150 regular volunteers provide time and energy on a weekly basis.

"Volunteers are the backbone of our museum," Petersen said. "These are people that have passion for sharing art with the community."

The museum offers internship opportunities within the curatorial, education and operations departments as well.

The art is here to uplift and strengthen people, she said, to refine minds and build character.

"It's a magnet for good people and beautiful things," she said.

Copyright Brigham Young University 3 Jun 2008