The Reid and Willda Beck Art Collection
Photo courtesy of Deseret News
In the 1920s, Reid Beck was the school principal. He had a special love for art and was himself an amateur artist. Principal Beck asked the teachers and students to help bring beautiful art into this farm community school. With the help of children who donated their pennies, nickels and dimes, the first painting was purchased in 1926. Each year, at least one painting was added to the growing collection. This practice continued on for many years, even during the Great Depression.
The crown jewel, a painting of Ichabod Crane, done by Norman Rockwell, was added to the collection in 1953. When Mr. Rockwell found that it was children who wanted to buy his painting, he lowered his asking price from $1200.00 to $800.00. Even with the reduced price, the Junior High School students had to organize extra fund-raising projects to raise so much money.
Over the past 92 years the collection has grown to include over 100 paintings and sculptures. The collection features paintings from artists such as Florence Ware, Howell Rosenbaum, Cornelius Salisbury, Henri Moser, Eric Christensen, Al Rounds, Harman Struck, as well as the famous Ichabod Crane painting by Norman Rockwell and a beautiful mountain scene by the beloved Bob Ross. Check out some of the beautiful artwork below!
