Meet our February Artists
Seven artists will join us for the months of December and January at the Gallery sponsored by the Midway Art Association, in Midway, UT. The Gallery is in the Town Hall in space 120B. It is part of the Association’s mission to give our members an outlet to show their art to the public, whether they are established artists or just getting started in their practice.
The Gallery is open Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., the second Friday of the month until 8 p.m., or by appointment.
An open house will be held on Saturday, December 6 th , from Noon to 5 p.m.
to view the art and meet some of the artists. Light refreshments will be served.
Here are some interesting facts about our seven new artists.
C. Matt Dawson
Matt Dawson is a Utah-based artist specializing in landscapes and still life. He began his artistic journey during a two-month
sabbatical in 2022, traveling through eight western states and visiting national parks, monuments, and off-the-grid locations.
Matt paints primarily in oil and watercolor, though he is not limited by these mediums. His work has been showcased in events such
as Wasatch Plein Air Paradise in 2025 and in exhibitions at the American Fork Steel Days Art Show and the Highland Fling Art
Show in 2024 and 2025, where he earned recognition and awards. Matt shares his work on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cmdfineart
Joan Ellsworth
Joan says, “I started my art career by drawing on any piece of paper I could find around the house. When we ran out, I would draw on the blank pages of my mother’s books. To her credit, she never yelled at me for doing so.” Joan studied at the University of Utah and has also participated in numerous workshops from Kathryn Stats, David Santillanes, Ron Rencher, Carl Purcell and others. She has also done mentorships with Dave Santillanes and Susan Gallagher. She says, “Bottom line is I love to create art!"
Carol Granger
Carol Granger hails from Indiana and spent much of her life in the Midwest before moving to Heber City, Utah, in 2018 to be closer to family. With a background in interior design—specializing in health care facilities—Carol has explored many artistic mediums, but her favorite is currently oil. She also works with gouache and experiments with cold wax. Landscapes are her preferred subjects, aligning with her passion for hiking and the outdoors. Carol often paints “en plein air,” using these smaller works as a foundation for larger pieces. She draws inspiration from Edward Hopper’s quote: “If I could say it in words there would be no reason to paint.”
Emily Lawrence
Emily Lawrence is an emerging artist who explores landscape, atmosphere, and quiet narrative through various mediums. Having lived on three continents and in six U.S. states, her art reflects a long-standing relationship with different places and transitions. Emily is dedicated to developing her technical skills and lets curiosity guide her process. As a mother of three teenagers, she balances her art with everyday life, drawing inspiration from nature, earthy color palettes, and the simple practice of noticing moments of joy.
NJ Pesci
NJ Pesci is a self-taught artist originally from New York and Massachusetts. His art draws inspiration from the dynamic nature of water and the ocean, capturing their fluidity and depth in seascapes. Now residing in Cottonwood Heights, Utah, NJ’s work is also influenced by the local landscapes. His art invites viewers to reflect, question, and forge meaningful connections with their surroundings.
Website: https://njpesciart.com/
Dane Rigby
Dane Rigby is a lifelong resident of Orem with a strong attachment to the outdoors and Utah’s natural beauty. His paintings are characterized by realistic representation, striving to capture the essence of what evokes emotion in nature. Though he is not formally trained in fine arts, Dane has focused on landscape painting since retiring from a career in higher education. He enjoys both plein air and studio work. Dane describes his goal as creating realistic images that stir memories, evoke emotions, or inspire others to discover special places in Utah. He considers his paintings an expression of gratitude for the world God has given. Most of the works in this exhibit are based on plein air studies.
Janet Ritchie
Janet Ritchie was born into a family deeply engaged in the arts, surrounded by concert violinists, painters, and strong convictions.
Inspired by the first rays of morning light, she found guidance and encouragement from her older bohemian sister—a free spirit of
the '60s who could sing like an angel and paint like a master. Together, they spent nights listening to music and watching the
sunrise. Janet picked up a brush at an early age, living a vagabond life and traveling through many states in her VW bus,
always accompanied by her paints. She later attended graphic design school at Platte College in San Diego and studied with
exceptional instructors in Seattle, Tucson, and Utah. Janet continues to live a fulfilling, regret-free life in Utah.
