Art Barn (Salt Lake City, Utah).

First permanent art center in Utah. Begun in 1930.

From the description of Records, 1930-1982. (Utah State University). WorldCat record id: 122610293

In 1930 Salt Lake City had no public art gallery. The person most responsible for conceiving of, and nurturing, the Art Barn's early beginnings was Alta Rawlings Jensen. The inspiration and determination to establish such a center came to her as a result of a visit to Carmel, California, a Mecca for artist and writers. The original site chosen was the large two story, unused old Judge family barn on South Temple between J and L streets, hence the name "Art Barn." An adequate lease could not be secured and a new site was chosen. A new building was to be erected on a site donated by the city in Reservoir Park. Taylor Woolley, a Salt Lake architect are art enthusiast, drew up plans, and on October 19, 1931, ground breaking ceremonies took place and the cornerstone was laid.

In addition to a gallery, the idea was to provide a gathering place for all the arts: literature, music, drama, and crafts as well as paintings, and to create an environment in which the artist would be as free as possible to create.

It was important to this art project that it be self-supporting through proceeds from members' dues, a tea room, and the rental of auxiliary rooms by art organizations.

The raising of enough money and material for a new building was extremely difficult because the country was deep in the depression. Other galleries throughout the nation were having to close their doors. The fact that donations were so difficult to come by made the ultimate success of the project all the more remarkable.

Formal opening ceremonies were held of June 11, 1933. Teas, musical, literary and theatrical organizations, and the annual Beaux Arts Ball contributed to the Art Barn's financial stability in those first years.

An art school was opened at the Art Barn in 1934, offering a place for students and teachers alike to study and display their work. One of the primary purposes of the Art Barn was to present works of Utah artists to the public, as well as those of regional, national, and international artists.

From the guide to the Art Barn photograph collection, 1972, (J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah)

The Art Barn has been lauded as Salt Lake City's first permanent art center. Prior to its existence, there was not a public art gallery in Utah's capital city. Conceived and founded by Alta Rawlins Jensen, the Art Barn promotes both the visual and performing arts. It houses a gallery and serves as a general gathering place for many artistic activities.

When Alta Jensen started campaigning for an art center to be built in Salt Lake City in 1930, she was met with some opposition due to the Depression. There did not seem to be enough money to build an art center and, in fact, many galleries across the United States were being forced to close their doors due to the lack of funding. With the help of the Chi Delta Phi Fraternity, however, a committee was formed to begin planning the art center. Under Alta Jensen's leadership, it was decided that the art center would need to be a place for all arts organizations, not just the visual arts, and that it needed full support from the community.

Once the foundation for the purpose of an art center was laid, a building needed to be secured to house such a project. Taylor Woolley, a prominent Salt Lake City architect, suggested renovating the "old Judge barn," located on South Temple and "J" streets, hence the name "Art Barn." This was agreed upon and monetary contributions from artists, organizations, and the community were then sought. Although support was not easy to find, the Art Barn organization elected officers and agreed upon articles of incorporation in February 1931.

Securing a long-term lease for the Judge barn proved difficult, however, and was finally abandoned. Instead, permission was granted by Salt Lake City commissioners to erect a building in Reservoir Park on 1300 East and University streets. Taylor Woolley was elected to draw up plans for the building to be built. However, funds again needed to be found for the project to go forth. With the aid of various artists, art enthusiasts, and the Works Progress Administration, flyers were sent out, pleas on radio programs were made, and a large fiesta was planned to attract further donations and publicity for the Art Barn. Enough funds were secured and ground breaking ceremonies were held in October 1931.

Fund-raising efforts did not stop there, however. Weekly musical teas, literary readings, and other social events were a constant; well-known Utah artists such as John Hafen were asked to donate paintings; and Alta Jensen and other members of the Art Barn constantly solicited organizations for their support. A popular fund-raising event was the annual Beaux Arts Ball.

In June 1933, the building was officially and fully completed. The name "Art Barn" was kept after a naming competition yielded results that nobody could agree on. Over time, the Art Barn no longer proved sufficient for all of the artistic activities it wanted to house. The Salt Lake Art Center on West Temple street was built during the 1970s to continue the legacy and activities established by the Art Barn. The Art Barn continues to promote the arts on a smaller scale.

From the guide to the Art Barn records, 1920-1980s, (J. Willard Marriott Library, University of Utah)