In addition to pursuing their own artistic endeavors, Springville residents Bill and Marilyn Brown have, for many years, been committed patrons of the arts. The Browns's newest venture will further their personal artistic ambitions and continue their public support of the Utah County arts scene at the same time.

The Browns are planning to hang and sell their own works at the new gallery. Marilyn Brown said that she and her husband are both fairly new to painting, though she studied painting in college.

"We've really had fun," she said, pursuing their new interest, with some of their work already displayed at local art shows.

Other artists also will be shown at the gallery in coming months, as well as some works from the Browns's private collection.

Marilyn Brown said that, for its opening, the gallery will also be exhibiting works by the couple's daughter, Simeen -- a former student of local painter James Christensen at Brigham Young University -- and paintings by southern Utah artist Veda Hale, who lives in Panguitch, near Cedar City.

Hale, who operates the Hale Art Gallery in Panguitch, said that specialized local art galleries can serve an important function in small communities by helping to revitalize the local economy.

"Our poor little Panguitch Main Street is having a hard time," she said.

After Hale and her husband, Glen, opened Hale Art Gallery, however, tourists driving through Panguitch en route to one of Utah's nearby national parks had another reason to pause in their travels. Since then, another art gallery and a few specialty shops (such as an antiques store) have opened nearby.

Marilyn Brown said that The Brown House of Fine Arts will divide its net income from the sale of paintings between the artists and the Browns' VIP Arts foundation, which funds arts scholarships, as well as supporting the growth of local theater.

During the gallery's opening, however, the money will be shared with Springville Playhouse, the city's long-running community theater.