Painting the first-ever Center Virtual Festival

Throughout the Center Virtual Festival on May 30-31st, artist Justin Wheatley brought his creative process directly to viewers through a live-streamed studio session, where he constructed a large-scale mixed media artwork in real time.

As conversations unfolded and events took shape, Justin responded on canvas—layering paint, collage, and architectural imagery to reflect the energy of the day.

Viewers dropped in to watch the piece transform, ask questions, and shared quotes from festival events that influenced the final result of the work.

Look closely, and you’ll notice a few special details:

  • A cursive pink typography of “Doll” from the movie poster for the Sundance-featured documentary New York Doll, about punk-rock bass guitarist Arthur “Killer” Kane directed by Greg Whiteley

  • Triangles borrowed from Triangulating by Clayton Merrell

  • Music lyrics from screenwriter and producer Cinco Paul’s “Book of Mormon Boogie”

  • A nod to the Center’s mission statement, to exist at the intersection of divine creativity and cultural relevance

  • References to works by Annie Poon, Kent Christensen, Clinton Whiting, and Sofi Wheatley

The finished piece is an abstract encapsulation that celebrates the festival’s innovate spirit–and acts as a collaborative, living record of this important milestone for the Center in hosting a fully virtual, wholly global arts festival for the first time.

  • Justin Wheatley was born and raised in Clinton, Utah. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Utah State University with an emphasis in drawing and painting, and a Masters of Arts from National University, with a specialization in National Board Leadership. His work is influenced by his love for nature and architecture. Justin currently resides in Salt Lake City with his wife and four daughters.

    Justin is represented by galleries across the country and has work in the collections of the Springville Museum of Art, Brigham Young University, Marriott International, Royal Caribbean, Salt Lake County, the University of Utah, the LDS Church, and Utah Arts and Museums.

  • Justin Wheatley (American, b. 1980)
    Untitled, 2025
    Mixed Media, 24 x 24 inches
    $2,000 plus FedEx ground shipping
    Sold to benefit the Center for Latter-day Saint Arts

    Contact: Glen Nelson (Glen@centerforldsarts.org, or 917-386-3589).

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