From Utah Arts & Museums Director Victoria Panella Bourns: “Recently, I had the opportunity to attend the Governor’s Mansion Artist Awards. I was deeply moved by the acceptance speech of one honoree, artist Emily Christensen McPhie. She articulated the role of the arts beautifully and granted me permission to reproduce her thoughts on our blog.”
By Emily Christensen McPhie
I am deeply humbled and honored to receive this recognition, not only for my work, but for all the ways in which art enriches our lives and communities. My father received the first Governor’s Mansion Award over 20 years ago. I like to think he’s very proud in this moment and is pleased to see the continued recognition of the arts. It’s a privilege to carry forward the legacy of creativity my parents nurtured, a legacy that Gavin and I have continued in our home, resulting in an art historian, an artist, a professional ballerina, and a content creator. It seems we’re doing our part to further the arts in our family, and I am endlessly grateful for their talents, their passion, and the creativity they bring into the world. Art has been a central force in our life, a force that holds the power to elevate, to heal, to challenge, and to transform.
In my childhood home, creativity wasn’t just encouraged, it was revered as a virtue — a value that I’ve carried with me as an artist. I was taught to see the world through an artistic lens, one that celebrates curiosity, imagination, awe, and the relentless pursuit of understanding. And it is that same spirit that I believe is essential to the thriving of a community.
Art isn’t a luxury or a byproduct of an ideal society; it is foundational to the health and well-being of society itself. Art strengthens the bonds between people. It opens the door to critical conversations and invites us to examine our values, our shared history, and the stories we tell ourselves about who we are and where we are headed.
In our modern world, where information flows faster than we can process, critical thinking has never been more important. Art, with its roots in creativity and curiosity, provides a vital tool for navigating this information landscape. It teaches us to think critically, to question assumptions, to embrace ambiguity, and to seek truth not just in what is seen, but in what is felt. As Elizabeth Gilbert has said, “Art is the only way to run away without leaving home.” Through art, we don’t just escape — we gain clarity, we explore deeper truths, and we bring ourselves back into focus.
As an artist, my work draws from archetypes and folklore, trying to make sense of my own experiences, my own desires, and my own struggles. I explore these themes through magical realism, rhythmic patterns, and emotional contrasts — tenderness and toil, whimsy and pensive expressions. I believe that when we are able to tap into the universal through our work, we invite others to reflect on their own humanity.
For me, art has always been a way of understanding the world and myself. It is not about giving the answers, but about asking the questions. The power of story in art is that it invites you to ask, “Where am I in that? What does this piece reflect about myself, my relationships, my journey?” Art allows us to grapple with difficult truths, and sometimes, even to find clarity.
This brings me to a topic close to my heart — the importance of funding for the arts in our schools, museums, programs, and public spaces. Our children have been able to pursue their passions with the help from sponsors, grants, and scholarships. Without these resources, many voices go unheard, and many opportunities to connect with our shared humanity are lost. Art is not a privilege for the few; it is a right for all, and it should be accessible to everyone. It’s through art that we open up spaces for dialogue, for discovery, and for community.
I’ve worked hard to be good at what I do, but I know that it wouldn’t go far without the support and the inspiration from the thriving art community here in Utah. And so, I thank you all — from the bottom of my heart — for believing in the power of art, for seeing its value in a world that so often prioritizes the obvious and the immediate over the imaginative and the long-term.
In closing, I want to express my deepest gratitude for this honor. It is a reminder of the profound impact that creativity can have — not only on the artist, but on those who encounter their work. The arts are not meant to save the world, but to elevate it. And in elevating the world, we elevate each other.
Top image: Governor Spencer J. Cox, Emily Christensen McPhie, and First Lady Abby Cox
“One Heart Two Minds,” 2019, 18×16, oil on panel, by Emily Christensen McPhie