BOUNTIFUL—Mea Montgomery’s artwork is inspired by the people around her. The result is a winning piece in the Davis School District Art Show at the Bountiful Davis Arts Center (BDAC). The Woods Cross High School senior placed third out of more than 600 submissions from 361 students 6-12th grade. 

“God Gave Us Flowers,” is a portrait of her sister. “I’m the oldest of three sisters,” said Montgomery. “The flowers represent roses and thorns. We’re together through the good and the bad.”

Mea Montgomery's “Not of a Feather” represents her and her sisters. 

 Her other piece, “Not of a Feather” is a circle of different birds. “The birds represent me and my sisters,” she said. “We’re different but will love each other forever. I like to dig deep for the meaning behind it.”

Montgomery said she has always had a love of art. “My papa (grandpa) is an artist and my mom has always done crafts. I had a little sketch book. I took art classes in junior high. I’m in an AP art class. I like to explore different mediums.”

This is the first time she has had artwork at the BDAC. “It surprised me to have two pieces accepted,” said Montgomery. “It was so cool to see them framed. I felt very professional. They look so much bigger framed.”

She is headed to Utah State University in the fall. “I want to get a bachelor’s in fine art. I want to be an art teacher. I’ve always wanted to be an art teacher since junior high. This is where life has taken me.”

Rylie Kimball uses her art as a way of healing. “I was diagnosed with cancer,” she said. “I lost my hair. I did my art while I was going through chemo. Now there’s no sign of it. I’m cancer free.”

Rylie Kimball with her self portrait in Italy.

 One of her paintings is of a carefree young woman in Italy. “It’s a self portrait,” said Kimball. “I’ve always loved art but I didn’t take it seriously until about four years ago. I’ve been selling art at the Bountiful Farmers Market since I was eight years old.”

Her other painting is a field of colorful flowers. “It took me 100 hours over a span of three months,” Kimball said. “I had to let the layers dry for a week in between. I was going through a dark time and the bright colors brought color into my life.”

Syracuse High School sophomore Lexi Reese’s piece, “The Climb” had significance to her as well. “It’s climbing toward becoming the person I want to be,” she said. “I keep going even if I’m tired. I just keep climbing toward the next step.”

Reese with her artwork "The Climb." Art has been a way to express herself since she was little. Photos by Becky Ginos

 It’s based off of a poem, said Reese. “I’ve fallen off the ladder then I can finally climb back up. The bottom is a dark abyss of what I used to be. I still have a lot to go but I’ve come a long way. It’s me looking down but also looking above at what’s ahead of me.”

Reese said art has been a way to express herself since she was little. “It’s what I enjoy – it’s how I see the world.”

Zerthun Mekuria from Layton High won Best of Show with her painting “Untamed Joy.” Mekuria was also named Junior Artist in Residence at the BDAC.

“She gets access to one of our studio spaces downstairs,” said Bren Larson,

BDAC Education & Exhibitions Director. “All summer, she will work with the director of exhibitions to create a show that will be in this gallery. She has access to our resources with connection to different mentors. That’s a really exciting opportunity. So we’re really excited to work with her.”

The exhibition will be on display through May 16 at the BDAC, 90 N. Main Street. For more information about the BDAC visit https://www.bdac.org/.