By Christine Jackman
Art City Trolley Restaurant in Springville will now be featuring the artwork of local artists.
Tonya Fischio, spokeswoman for the restaurant exhibits, said featuring art in the restaurant is a perfect match for the Springville community.
“Bringing in an art exhibit, just brings in part of the community,” she said.
The first exhibit, “Reflections From the Table” will feature the art of Utah artist Cassandra Barney.
Kelly Decker, restaurant owner, said she loves Barney’s artwork, so it seemed natural to have Barney be the first artist featured at the restaurant.
Barney, who recently graduated with her MFA from BYU, said having artwork on exhibit at the restaurant is a good way of having art reach out to everyone.
“It (the exhibit) is accessible to people who wouldn’t regularly go to an art exhibit,” she said.
Decker opened the restaurant in 1994 with a trolley that had run on the lines of Chicago and New York.
The partnership the city of Springville offers is what first gave Decker the idea of using art with the restaurant.
Springville pays for a sculpture to be installed at businesses when a sculptor donates a number in their addition. The business then only pays for the casting.
Decker said this is why many of the Springville businesses along Main Street have sculptures in front of them.
Art is a feeling in Springville, Decker said.
Fischio said Barney’s artwork ties in well with the restaurant because tables are a theme in her art.
Barney paints still life and portraiture. All of her work in this show features a table in it.
“The table is the stage for everything that happens in daily life,” Barney said.
Barney said the table is where she eats, prays and works.
Barney said the art exhibit benefits both the restaurant and the artist because it brings in different crowds.
Decker said she plans to have other artists featured at the restaurant after Barney’s exhibit is done.
“The art is a good conversation piece,” Barney said.
“Reflections From the Table,” will run at Springville’s Art City Trolley Restaurant through July 14.
