Jim Jones, the renowned painter of southern Utah, passed away at his home in Cedar City on Saturday.

As we reported in this month’s edition of 15 Bytes (see page 2), Jones, who never married or had children, left his estate and his last paintings to Southern Utah University with the intent of starting a museum there.

Michael Benson, president of SUU, addressed the campus in an email in which he included the following: “In conversations with family members and friends, Jim left this world peacefully and did so only after completing — in his  words — the finest work of his career now on display in our Braithwaite Gallery. He will be sorely missed but his legacy and contributions will go on forever.  At his request, the University will continue to forge ahead — thanks in large part to his generous financial support — with plans to complete the Southern Utah Museum of Art: home to the paintings he so graciously donated to SUU. I know I speak for many when I say what a terrible void we all experiencing. But what a privilege to have known someone with such a prodigious talent and yet so self-effacing and gracious.”

Jones was recently the subject of a documentary — “Jimmie Jones: Redrock Painter.” The DVD is avialable by calling the Braithwaite Gallery at SUU–435-435-5433. One may buy the DVD separately or as part of the catalog for Jones’ recent show. The catalog is also sold at the Springville Art Museum.

15 Bytes

UTAH’S ART MAGAZINE SINCE 2001, 15 Bytes is published by Artists of Utah, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.