Herald Ray Clark

From College of Fine Arts and Communications

"Herald Ray Clark was born on October 18, 1890 in Farmington, Utah, son of Amasa L. and Alice Steed Clark. After schooling in his home town, he attended Brigham Young University, receiving the BA degree in 1918 and the MBA degree from the University of Washington in 1924. He also did further graduate work at Ohio State University. He taught finance and banking at BYU starting in 1913. For seventeen years he was dean of the College of Commerce.

"A faithful worker in the Church, he served as a bishop for four years prior to entering a stake presidency. On June 9, 1915, he married Mable Hone in the Salt Lake Temple. They have six sons: Richard H., Stephen H., Homer H., Rand H., Philip H., and Welsford H. Clark.

"Although he claimed no technical skill in any of the fine arts, he was keenly aware of the role that the humanities and fine arts play in the development of the human soul. His home was filled with the works of many artists, grateful to him for promoting their talents.

"He exercised keen, perceptive judgment and skill in collecting, on behalf of the University, paintings of outstanding merit, among them those of Maynard Dixon. In addition, for forty years, he has been the main force in providing BYU with a galaxy of renowned arts in all fields and distinguished lecturers in public affairs.

"The Herald R. Clark Collection, a comprehensive group of some of the finest works of the noted Western artist, Maynard Dixon, includes drawings, sketches, and oil paintings that cover a wide span of Mr. Dixon’s art endeavors. There are studied of Western ranch life, Indian lore, and scenes along the Mormon Corridor. Some of the finest Western landscapes are included. Of special interest are the social studies of the San Francisco dock strikes of the mid-thirties. His perceptive portrayal of the working man in the depression years, beautifully documented in this section of the collection, includes such titles as 'Free Speech,' 'The Forgotten Man,' 'Law and Disorder,' and 'No Place to Go' (Special Program, 2)."

The Herald R. Clark Collection, originally displayed in the Harris Fine Arts Center, has been moved to the Museum of Art at BYU. The collection is considered the most complete record of the life and works of Maynard Dixon.

[edit]