Alumni artist exhibits work in Gallery East

At 40-years-old, Chris Manwaring has come a long way with his painting since receiving his first paint box as a 12-year-old boy. His paintings have won significant awards and displayed in several prestigious art galleries in the Intermountain West including his newest gallery showing at USU Eastern’s Gallery East from March 14 through April 8.
The exhibit, titled “Travels, Studies, and Studio: Paintings by Chris Manwaring,” will be coming home for the Utah native as he spent time studying at College of Eastern Utah’s with art instructor Cliff Bergera as a student.
Manwaring recently accomplished one of his lifelong goals to have his work placed in one of the LDS temples, when the church bought one of his paintings to hang in their soon-to-be dedicated Cedar City Temple.
Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, Manwaring spent most of his life growing up in rural Utah. While in high school he met Valoy Eaton, one of the nation’s top landscape painters. Through many generous hours by Eaton, Manwaring received a firm technical foundation that he would be able to build on.
Eaton introduced Manwaring to the great painters John Sargent, Anders Zorn and Nicholai Fechin who were greatest influences in his life. Values, edges and accurate drawing were among the many skills Eaton discussed and instilled in young Manwaring.
After his fortunate acquaintance with Eaton, Manwaring studied with Scott L. Christensen and Jeremy Lipking, both winners of the prestigious Prix De West.
A highpoint in his studies came when spent time in New York studying at the Grand Central Academy of Art.
Along with academic study, Manwaring made six trips to Europe to study the great masters. He feels this is the greatest education an artist can receive.
Armed with his training, patience and paint, Manwaring can be found roaming the mountains of the West. He is determined to be as truthful as possible as he translates nature onto his stark white canvas. When he returns home to his family (Pauline, Jeremy, Cole, Cale, Parker and Olivia), he finds great joy in producing larger paintings. His hope is that others will feel the peace and solace he feels as he is out in nature and the excitement he experiences producing art in his studio.
Manwaring will be at Gallery East for a closing reception and gallery talk on April 8 from 6-8 p.m. Students, faculty, staff and the public are invited. The gallery is located in the Central Instruction Building and is free and open to the public during the academic year from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Any questions can be answered by Noel Carmack, Gallery East curator, at 435-613-5241 or email at [email protected].