The Springville Museum of Art is ringing in the new year with an exhibit of cheerfully optimistic paintings and sculpture from five Utah County artists.

"I believe that when people come and see the show they will be encouraged," said MaryAnn Free Smith, one of the professional artists being showcased. "This will maybe pump up their optimism to give them an optimistic view for the rest of 2007."

The show is titled, "People, Places and Things," and is a celebration of beauty in realism. The five artists -- Smith, Marilee B. Campbell, Lou Jene Carter, Carol Pettit Harding and Carol Dunford Jackman -- are all professionals whose work has received awards and acclaim in art shows across the states.

The works to be displayed are paintings (oil, pastel and watercolor) and sculpture. Despite their different media, museum director Vern Swanson said there is much these five artists have in common.

"They have kind of a similar mentality," Swanson said. "The five of them believe in beauty, they believe in craft and they believe in accessibility. These works are accessible to people. They're not enigmatic or confused, they have a clarity to them."

Swanson said this particular show falls right in line with the mission of the museum, which is to affirm the beauty and the joy of life through art.

Though the works will likely be appreciated for their realistic beauty, Swanson said, they are also substantive as works of art.

"These paintings are not shallow because they're beautiful," he said. "They're deep because they are beautiful. They are substantive works."

Smith, whose works in the show were done with watercolor, said her paintings mainly include still-life, portraits and landscapes.

"I'm amazed at the beauty and the creation of the world," Smith said. "The things of the world that are in my space, in my part of the universe. They speak to me ... it's my form of expression."

When the five were asked independently, "Why do you make artfi," Harding said in a news release that "I need to paint what I experience. That is joy to me."

For Campbell, art is "an expression of my love," while Carter feels that when she paints, "I am immersed in the emotions of the painting ... caught up in some ardent affair and compelled to define it."

Jackman said, "I hope that my works portray the joy I feel for life."

The five women were brought together initially by professional association through their art. Now, Smith said, they are excited to bring their art together in one show, giving people a chance to view multiple artworks that have received critical acclaim outside of Utah.

People, Places and Things

Where: Springville Museum of Art, 126 E. 400 South, Springville

When: Friday-Feb. 4. Opening reception, Saturday from 2-4 p.m.

Cost: Free

Info: 489-2727, sma.nebo.edu