BOUNTIFUL—It’s a steep goal to set for any event to unite all walks of life in the arts, but if there’s one event that managed just that this year in Davis County, it was “Chromatic” at the Bountiful Davis Art Center (BDAC). In an event that celebrated 50 years of service to the community, “Chromatic” blended approachability and elegance seamlessly. 

“Chromatic” succeeded in cultivating an environment that somehow both felt classy, but also not stuffy. Walking in, guests were greeted by beautiful spring-themed decorations, and dozens of beautiful pieces of art on the walls ranging in price from $25 to $1,000 and more, accommodating every budget. Walking past the Hors d'oeuvres, beautifully laid out and arranged, attendees saw and were serenaded by live music.

The band, composed of a banjo, mandolin, upright bass, guitar, fiddle, and vocals lent a very home-town feel to the event and added both class and comfort. The ambiance allowed people in both floor-length dresses, and blue jeans to mingle, and socialize until the organizers of the event stepped forward to address the crowd and kick things off officially. 

Steve Olson, chairman of the board of trustees for the BDAC started off by thanking the community for their support and commending the BDAC and its staff for “bringing the community together in so many ways” over the past 50 years. He also paid tribute to Holly Yocom, who, for quite some time now, has served as the interim executive director until the recent hiring of Sarina Ehrgott, who, Olson said, “embodies the spirit of the Bountiful Davis Art Center.”

Ehrgott herself then addressed the crowd, sharing just how special the BDAC is, not only to the community locally but to the arts community at large. Ehrgott said it best when she explained how the BDAC reflects “a commitment and appetite for the arts in Utah.” These sentiments were echoed by Bountiful mayor, Kendalyn Harris, who said, “The roots are deep here. We love art,” and “investing in the Bountiful Davis Art Center is investing in the community.”

She couldn’t have been more right. If there was one thing the “Chromatic” event and celebration embodied it was just how central the BDAC is, and has been to the community for the past 50 years. It has been said before that the mark of a thriving civilization is the production of art, and the BDAC has shown that it’s not just Salt Lake or Park City that has a vibrant arts community, it’s right here in Davis too.

In her remarks, Ehrgott promised the community that “Chromatic” would be far from the last community event residents would see, and that she and her outstanding team were committed to expanding and enhancing programming and education at the BDAC. With so many events already on the calendar, there’s plenty to look forward to as the Bountiful Davis Art Center enters its next 50 years of service to the community.