By Matthew Longhurst
Like its predecessor in London a generation ago, Sundance’s Young Contemporaries art show is proving to be an effective boost for budding careers.
Sundance’s show is patterned after a similar event popular in London during the 1960’s said Jann Haworth, visual arts director for Sundance Resort.
Four BYU students were award winners at this year’s exhibition Wednesday, Nov. 1.
Jared Latimer, 25, a senior from Sonoma, Calif., majoring in painting, won the first prize, and was awarded $500.
His current works express images and feelings from the holocaust of World War II, Latimer said.
He said his influences are mainly literary in nature, and he tries to express images from that influential time.
Latimer has discovered his interest in painting since graduating from high school seven years ago, and grew to appreciate his passion even more during his mission in Rome, Italy, he said.
The Resort First Prize, and a season ski pass, went to Sean Morello, 22, a junior from Columbus, Ohio, majoring in painting.
Morello’s winning works express a variety of storms, Morello said.
Morello uses images of solitary figures besieged by ominous masses, representing the “storms of life,” Morello said.
Morello said he hopes to be able to lift people through his art.
Both artists plan on developing professional careers in painting.
BYU students Brad Taggart and Brooke Torgesen also received awards.
The original London Young Contemporaries show was instrumental in launching the careers of such artists as David Hockney, RB Kitaj, Derek Boshier and Patrick Caulfield, Haworth said.
In it’s fourth year, Sundance’s Young Contemporaries exhibition has already had an impact on several local artists’ careers, Haworth said.
The show features a compilation of work submitted largely by BYU, University of Utah, and UVSC students, she said.
Steve Boehme, a former BYU student and prizewinner from the first Young Contemporaries show, has since become a successful professional. Boehme works out of the Art Shack at Sundance.
For more information about the exhibit or to schedule a tour of the works, call Sundance at 223-4535.
