This section is a historical recreation of the dates and times we can document about the Art at Draper from various individuals journals, writings and articles that we have been given.
He subsequently brought educators from Provo area to Jordan District. These educators included Reid Beck, Willda Maycock Beck, Freda Jensen Lee, Ray Beck Lydia Harmon and others. These educators were familiar with the Springville art collection, visited it often and desired to create similar in Draper.
He served in this capacity until his death in 1943 in an automobile accident. J.R. Allen presented the school with two lovely enlarged photographs called “Sheep on the Hillside.”
The portraits of John R. Parks, William Stewart and George Washington, were already hanging on the walls of the Draper School before this time. The teachers, pupils, P.T.A. officials and some school patrons and businessmen took interest in this project. The first painting, “Spring Fancies” by Lee Green Richards was selected by P.T.A. President, Mrs. Grace Rideout, as the first purchase for the collection.
These were all artists whose housing and food was paid for during their time in this program.
Originally this painting was in the Draper school dividing the junior high from the elementary. This mural depicts some of the leaders of Draper and other images from 1849 – 1938.
He added two pieces to the art collection by Cornelius Salisbury, “Chore Time” and “Frost in the Valley.”
During his time as principal, Mr. Beckstead named the art collection at Draper School, “The Reid Beck Art Collection.” Mrs. Willda Beck expressed her family’s gratitude for this great honor.
Prior to this selling school lunches was used as a fundraiser for the art collection.
The painting was originally $1300, but the children wrote the artist and asked if he would take the lower amount. He accepted.
When the junior high was moved from Draper, the grade school took on the assignment and carried on with the Art Project, except that they planned to purchase a picture every third year instead of every year.
The courts debate and decide the art will stay in its entirety at Draper Elementary School. Canyons District takes the promise to the Draper community and Draper Visual Arts Foundation very seriously to keep the art in Draper, and care for and maintain the pieces. Tours of the art given upon request.
This section has been transcribed from historical notes given to Canyons District and compiled by several members of the Draper Visual Arts Foundation between 1946 -1996. We have transcribed these exactly as they were written. Any notes that have been added will be in parenthesis.
Mrs. Baker asked me to tell something about Reid Beck and the Art Project in this school. I know that I can’t mention names of all who assisted in this project; so in a general way I hope to give credit to each one.
This Art Collection as a real project was begun in spring of 1928. However, the portraits of John R. Parks, William M. Stewart and George Washington were hanging on the walls of the Draper School before that time.
In 1917, School Board member J.R. Allen presented the school with two lovely enlarged photographs called “Sheep on the Hillside.” This was the year Reid Beck came from the school in Provo to be the principal of the Draper School.
Mr. Beck was permitted to select six teachers from the Provo area to be hired by the Jordan District and placed in the Draper School. All of these teachers took an interest in art and each spring would visit the Springville Art Exhibit. At first it was more or less just a pleasant habit. Then later as the hopes and dreams of an Art Project began to change into action these visits took on more meaning.
I think that Reid’s first interest or love was people and his second love was art. Art was part of his makeup. But his painting was just a happy pastime or hobby. He did do a few watercolors for his home and for his friends. I have only one of his left and I love it. Loving art as Reid did it was only natural for him to want more pictures around him.
In 1928, he suggested that the Draper School start an Art Collection. These seeds fell in fertile soil, and it took little effort to interest teachers, pupils, P.T.A. officers, and some school patrons and businessmen in this project.
Mrs. Grace Rideout was President of the P.T.A. at that time and helped select the first picture. This picture was the first oil painting purchased. It is called “Spring Fancie,” and is of a peach orchard in Davis County done by Lee Green Richards. Richards is most noted for his portraits but has done many other lovely things. This picture was painted in 1926 but was purchased in 1928.
At its beginning the Art Collection was o feature only Utah artists, but as the years passed and the project grew, more pictures and more artists were added to the list.
Sometime in the 1930’s, Mrs. Alice H. Horne introduced a bill in the State Legislature which authorized the formation of the Utah State Art Institute for the purpose of promoting young artists. So, Mrs. Horne was contacted and proved to be very helpful in bringing to our school many pictures for display and sale. From these displays some pictures were selected for our collection, and were purchased through Mrs. Horne and the Works Project Administration at a very nominal cost.
Back in 1954 on May 1st, the public responded to a Hobby Arts Fiesta Program which stimulated much interest. This project was conducted under the leadership the The Lady Lions. The general chairwoman was Mrs. Keeler and with her were Evelyn Cole, Effie Day, Frances Mickelsen, Marjorie Sorenson and of course many helpers. Such incidents as these are of great value in the development of any worthwhile program.
Superintendent Reed H. Beckstead followed Reid Beck as Principal of the Draper School, and during the year and a half that he was there he worked diligently to fan this light that had been started into a more brilliant flame. Two pictures were added to the collection: the two done by Cornelius Salisbury.
Then during the ten years that Mr. Keeler was principal, the project expanded and reached out to nationally known artists. Many of the most valuable and expensive pieces found in the Collection today were obtained in these years.
In the spring of 1955 it was decided to do something really outstanding. Mr. Keeler came out with the idea that if we went into it in earnest, we could own a statue done by Avard Fairbanks. A committee consisting of Jerome Brown, Max Hatch, Mary Sjoblom, myself (Willda Beck), and Mr. Keeler was selected, and Mr. Keeler made the contact. He got the appointment, but when we got to the studio we were met by the son of Mr. Fairbanks, who told us his father was in Italy, but that he would be pleased to show us around. We considered a Pony Express Statue and a Pioneer piece. We finally decided to take the Pioneer model. Mr. Fairbanks had made a piece from this model for another project, but he thought that he would be able to get permission to make another copy. So we agreed to this and we made a down payment.
Mr. Keeler was then transferred to the Midvale Junior High and Mr. Gauffin came to Draper. Mr. Gauffin carried on admirably, working to raise money and keeping up the Art interest. At no time did he let Mr. Fairbanks lose sight of the fact that the piece had been promised and was expected.
In 1958, Mr. Gauffin was transferred and Mr. Hill came to Draper. Mr. Hill was very determined to obtain the piece, so Mr. Hill and Mr. Gauffin combined efforts. The visited the Fairbanks studio often but with the sculptor so busy and his being out of the country so often they found it to be a rather difficult problem. They then found that the sculptor had had difficulty in getting permission to copy the model that had been decided upon. So through the persistence of Mr. Hill and Mr. Gauffin and the desire of Mr. Fairbanks to make good his promise, this larger and more expensive one was offered and of course accepted.
Then their next step was to have it cast in bronze and again this was accomplished through their combined determination. This piece is now imperishable and very valuable. It has already found recognition for itself in Utah History. Its picture is in A. Hamer Reiser’s Sunday School Manual, “History of the Church for Young Children.” In this manual the picture is labeled, “The Mormon Pioneer Family.” These books are used in all parts of the world. (from when to when?) Mr. Fairbanks calls the statue “The New Frontier” and now, thanks to all who assisted, the Draper Art Collection has this piece which is not equaled in any other school collection.
Just as important as the people who select the pieces of the collection are those who work to raise the money to pay for them. And of course this takes in many more than I could name here. But I must mention W.C. Vawdrey who gave much support to this movement and J.E. Mickelsen who also contributed generously to this cause. I well remember Reid coming home saying, “Joe said go ahead and raise what money you can and then come to me and I will pledge the rest.” And this was done several times. These men also assisted in selecting some of the pictures.
One of the moneymaking projects was selling school lunches. That was before the present lunch program (The National School Lunch Program was officially established on June 4, 1946 by President Harry S. Truman). Then there was the election of an Art King and Queen to reign over the proceedings, an Art Night, picture shows, dances, May Day activities and programs, and also substantial contributions.
As long as the Junior High students were in Draper school these activities were carried on by the graduating class as chairmen and they were assisted by every pupil in the school. But each graduating class left a picture as its final gift to the school. And they often went in a body to the Springville Exhibit to choose the picture to be purchased. They were accompanied on these trips by teachers and patrons. When the Junior High was moved from Draper, the grade school took on this assignment and carried on with the Art Project, except that they planned to purchase a picture every third year instead of every year.
It was during the time that Superintendent Reed H. Beckstead was principal of the Draper School that they so graciously named this wonderful collection, “The Reid Beck Art Collection.” For the family I wish to extend our thanks for this great honor.
The collection is outstanding. It boasts of 53 pieces and it is recognized as one of the finest collections in the state. I hope that the pupils and patrons of the school will become better acquainted with both the pictures and the artists who are represented here in this gallery, and also that they will lend encouragement to the “would be artists” in this community.
May the spirit of art, which fosters culture and refinement, always be kept alive in the schools and in the town of Draper.
I thank you.
– Mrs. Willda Beck
Back in the 1930’s when the WPA program was operating, a man by the name of Tharwald Knaphus came to Draper, Utah. He was an artist and a sculptor who became very imminent in this field. Also on this artist program, which was an arm of the WPA, came another couple, Ruth and Paul Smith, oil painters. To participate in this program, these people had to be housed and fed. It was agreed that Cyrus Bawdrey would house Mr. Knaphus, Reid Beck would house the Smiths, and J. Mickelsen would pay for the keep of both. Draper was fortunate to receive these talented people.
Ruth and Paul Smith:
· Ruth painted a lovely picture for the collection
· Mr. Smith did the mural on the wall on the south end of the old Draper Park School that divided that junior high from the elementary. (This was relocated and restored to the Alumni room at Corner Canyon High School in 2013).
Tharwald S. Knaphus:
· Painted the mural of “The Woman at the Well” in the south end of the former Draper 2nd Ward church building. This building has since been sold and the mural destroyed.
· Mr. Knaphus made a very generous gesture. He sculpted an Abe Lincoln bust for Mr. Vawdrey and a pioneer mural for Mr. Mickelsen. These gentlemen made a generous gesture and in turn donated these pieces to the art collection.
· Somehow through the years, both of these pieces disappeared. Quite a thorough search of the old building has been made. These two pieces have probably increased in value over times and the rightfully belong to the collection. It has been asked that if anyone has knowledge of these pieces whereabouts to please return these items to the collection.
· A former Principal Orr and his wife found a bust of Abraham Lincoln and purchased it for the collection. It is unknown if this bust is the original, an exact replica or just similar in nature.
Circa approximately 1975-76
Springville is a very art conscious city. Growing up there helped Willda Maycock Beck develop a deep appreciation for art. Acquainted with many artists, Cyrus E. Dallin, world famous sculptor, and John Hafen, noted Utah artists among them. Mrs. Beck treasures the memory of a painting done by Mr. Hafen of her grandmother’s home. She had the opportunity of attending art exhibits often. As a girl in high school, Mrs. Beck’s class purchased one of the first paintings in the Springville Art Collection. This collection is among the finest in the United States.
Reid Beck had a love of art and studied some at the Brigham Young University. He came to Draper to become principal of Draper Park Elementary and Jr. High. Every April he and Mrs. Beck traveled to Springville to enjoy the art exhibit. The idea of a Draper Art Collection was born. The suggestion was welcomed by the faculty with enthusiasm and interest. Trips to Springville took on added interest; teachers were anxious to go, have a lovely dinner and visit the exhibition. They were fun trips. The art collection idea was greeted enthusiastically by the whole community, school administrators, board members, teachers, students and PTA Officers. All joined to make it a success. Cyrus Vawdrey donated a cast bust of Abraham Lincoln done by T.S. Knaphus. Joseph Mickelsen helped in securing monetary help, and donated a painting. Mrs. Grace Rideout, then PTA President, gave much support. Students in the Junior High took on various projects to earn money to enlarge the collection. The art project grew rapidly, and the community took pride and interest in its growth.
The first painting purchased was, “Spring Fancies”, by Lee Green Richards. Many Utah artists and art enthusiasts became interested in the project. They often visited the Beck home. Henri Moser was visiting and Mrs. Beck asked him to paint a picture of her. He found the perfect scene in Draper Park. This picture was paid for by Mr. Beck for Mrs. Beck’s birthday and joined their private collection along with works by O.D. Campbell, B.F. Larsen, Florence Ware, Paul Kuhni and Ruth Smith.
After Mr. Beck’s passing, Reed Beckstead became principal. He also was a lover of art, and during his term a number of valuable paintings were added to the collection.
Ralph B. Keeler was the next principal. His wife was a noted pianist and worked with oil painting. They both enjoyed all kinds of art. Mr. Keeler lost no time in adding some very rare and valuable pieces to the art collection. One was “Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony,” by Fredrick M. Grant, which is a beautiful example of modernistic art. The “Ichabod Crane” by Norman Rockwell is the envy of art collectors. Much time and effort was necessary to obtain a piece of sculpture by Avard Fairbanks call, “New Life and Frontiers.” J. Jerome Brown, Mary Sjoblom and Mrs. Beck were appointed to work on the Fairbanks project, but it was through the untiring effort and personal influence of Mr. Keeler that this piece became an outstanding addition to the collection. Thanks are due to the townspeople and students who have supported the art movement through the years.
When Lamar Drew came as principal, he recognized the art collection as choice and valuable. He is now working to find a proper home for this collection and to add to its growth. Rachael Patience, Vonna Vawdrey, Erma Fitzgerald and Pat Smith have volunteered to assist.
This book was sponsored by the Parent-Teachers Association and compiled in 1975-76 by:
Rachel D. Patience
Vonna E. Vawdrey
Erma E. Fitzgerald
Patricia S. Smith
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