Jon Anderson, retired USU Art Professor, has donated a painting from 1966 to the USU Museum of Anthropology. The piece depicts a scene in the Art Barn by one of Anderson’s illustration students, Don Young. Young painted this piece in a life drawing class as one of Anderson’s assignments. The assignment scenario asked students to create a scene depicting two USU police officers bursting into their classroom chasing after a burglar.
Completed in just two weeks time, the painting depicts the 1960s interior of the 3rd floor of the Art Barn with its exposed rafter beams, black wooden seats and student art work displayed on its walls. The painting’s vibrant colors and detail give viewers a glimpse of an art form then commonly seen on the front cover of magazines, such as Cosmopolitan and Newsweek in the 1960s and 70s and now often gracing the front cover of romance novels.
The artist Don Young died an untimely death at the young age of 30 from diabetes. However, his talent, shown through this painting, will impact future generations as a unique piece of USU’s Barn history. Thanks to Mr. Young and Mr. Anderson for sharing this wonderful work and story.
As a former student of Prof. Anderson at USU, I have enjoyed checking out the comments and news of the art dept. I love the depiction of the art barn and it's just as crazy (well, almost) as when I was a student in the late 60's, early 70's. I have great memories of my time there. Thanks, Jon!
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