Painting the Provo Tabernacle

Provo Tabernacle- 8" x 10" oil on board by Greg Newbold

A couple weeks ago our class decided to paint the Provo Tabernacle. Built in the 1880's, the Provo Tabernacle had been an iconic city landmark as well as a religious meeting hall for over a century when a spectacular midnight fire consumed all but the facade and towers last December.

The building was stabilized using an extensive scaffolding network while decisions were made as to what would happen to the remaining walls. At the October  General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints it was announced that the historic building would be restored and rebuilt as a temple.

With this news in hand I decided it would be a fun opportunity to document a building would soon be resurrected to its former glory and serve a new purpose for another century. While we were all gathered painting, the owner of the Window Box Gallery across the street approached us and asked if we would like to show our collected works in her gallery during December.

Painting the tabernacle now seems like an inspired decision as all the students in the class will now have a chance to show and sell their work. I'l be finishing my picture for the show as well. The pieces will all be on display starting Dec 2, 2011. The opening will coincide with the Provo Gallery Stroll from 6:00 - 9:00 pm that night.

Window Box Gallery is located at 62 West Center, Provo UT, 84601
More about the purpose of LDS temples