San Juan Record Article on Gil Scott
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| Gil Scott taken at Bluff Art Show |
True artists not only need to see the world with fresh eyes but must also have the skill to interpret and “show” that world in unique and beautiful ways. Such talents are what San Juan County’s geometric artist, Gill Scott has successfully honed and perfected, while making both a living and legacy.
Gil’s mother, Mary Scott, had a big influence on his artistic beginnings. She was an artist in her own right as a rug weaver and a jeweler silversmith. Thus, the seeds of seeing beauty and recreating it were sown. School teachers also helped him carve out his creative path. Gil recalled, “I remember as a kid, they had a local summer program and I took art classes there. The instructor had us do all kinds of work in different mediums. I was also constantly drawing in grade school.”
It was at San Juan High where his talent expanded even more. Gil explained, “High school was where I took an interest in the foundation of art. I started to learn about art history and the basics of all the different mediums and methods. His teacher Tony Wojcik stated, “Gil showed great talent, even in high school and had a unique way of depicting his ideas. He’s gone on to do great things in the world of art and has made a name for himself.”
In response, Gil said, “Mr. Wojcik has and is still very supportive. He critiques work from a different angle. Learning new ways I can keep improving, is something I can apply.”
Gil’s first art sale happened while he was attending college at CEU Price, Ut in 1996. He sold a couple of “pottery pieces at a local shop right before winter break.” Since then, he has gone on to sell his art throughout the United States. “I’ve been very fortunate that I’ve been able to travel and move and sell my work, which I consider a success.” Once he made it into a market in Palm Springs Ca. Even though he didn’t sell anything, it was an eye-opening experience! “It was very memorable to me discovering the expense it requires to get to a show! Learning about my audience and markets is sometimes harder than it seems.”
Since those early beginnings and experiences, Gil has gone on to wow his audiences and has won many significant prizes. Some of these include:
•2023 Featured artist for the St. George Art Festival
•2022 2nd place acrylic painting at the 30th Annual Indian Art Festival, Indianapolis; U of U Fine Arts Museum, exhibit; and Springville Museum of Art exhibit.
•2019 SLCC President’s Art Show. Best Of Show. titled: “Fall Monsoon Dazzler” SLCC South City Campus, SLC Ut.
•2019 Eiteljorg Museum’s 27th annual Indian Market and Festival, Indianapolis “Monsoon Dazzler” Awarded in painting Div. 3rd.
• 2019 Awarded 1st in painting div. Tesoro Indian Market & Powwow. Morrison Co. “Turquoise Rain” Acrylic,
•2018 Arts Week Golden Co. Work collectively awarded, Best of Show!
Many of Gil Scot’s paintings have been acquired and are shown in a variety of well-known museums including The University of Utah Fine Arts Museum, Springville Museum of Art, State of Utah Folk Arts and the Chicago Field Museum.
Local potter, Michael Porter, describes Scott’s journey: “I’ve known Gil for many years but he graduated before I taught at Whitehorse High.
“I got to know him from a forum of The Native American Art Awards an annual art show that started in Springville Utah and became an annual event at Monument Valley and Bluff. Gil was an outstanding young artist who won art awards at this event. Gil has developed a very recognizable style of work and has excelled in it. He is one of those artists who works very hard in developing his talent and has become very self-sufficient as a professional artist.
I personally love his work as many, many others do.”
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