Documentary film database now available

The Utah Division of Arts & Museums is making available a database of documentary films about Utah artists produced by Utah filmmakers. Over 70 short clips searchable by filmmaker, artist and genre can now be found on the division's website at www.artsandmuseums.utah.gov.

Utah's rich film heritage includes not only feature films shot in the state's beautiful landscape and the cutting edge work of independent movies featured at the annual Sundance Film Festival, but also the work of Utah's documentary filmmakers, many of whom have chosen artists as their subjects.

"These films bring together the perspectives of artist and filmmaker to create something unique," said Margaret Hunt, Director of the Utah Division of Arts & Museums. "We hope the showcase will prove to be a valuable resource and inspiration for artists, educators, filmmakers and the general public."

Some of Utah's most legendary artists are featured in the clips including Maestro Maurice Abravanel, sculptor Avard Fairbanks, portrait painter Alvin Gittins, landscape artists Doug Snow and LeConte Stewart and modern dancer Virginia Tanner. The project also features contemporary artists such as poet Sharon Bryan, potter Joe Bennion, landscape painter Kathryn Stats and modern dancers Shirley Ririe and Joan Woodbury, among others. The Utah documentary filmmakers include Jan Andrews, Larry Cesspooch, Mel Halback, Annie Kocherhans, Hank Liese, Steve Olpin, Brian Patrick and Claudia Sisemore.

The showcase was made possible by an American Masterpieces Grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The Utah Educator's Network and University of Utah Media Solutions assisted with the project, which, in addition to creating the database of short clips, enabled the digitization of the original works for archival purposes.

For more information or to view clips, visit the Division of Arts and Museums website at www.artsandmuseums.utah.gov or contact Wendi Hassan at whassan@utah.gov or 801-236-7548.