Grandeur of this All America City can be captured on canvas

How proud we are to see Lincoln be awarded an All America City.As one who has lived in the area for nearly four decades, I wonder what took us so long. Many fine people have spent their best years in this town and our schools can boast some of the finest teachers and students who have gone on to make a name for themselves and leave their mark in this country and abroad.Many students left Lincoln, armed with the education, talent and confidence to pursue a variety of careers because of the influence of a teacher at Lincoln High School.One such teacher, Arlan Welch, an art teacher and mentor to many students and one in particular, Adair Payne, has since brought the beauty and many examples of his talent back to his home town.Welch has been featured several times in the Lincoln News Messenger and many of you remember with love and fondness the genuine caring and encouragement of this fine man.Several of his students have become accomplished and famous throughout the United States, Payne being one of the most widely known. Arlan and Adair have remained close friends over the years and Adair comes to Lincoln at least once a year to visit with his favorite teacher and other long time friends.He returned to Lincoln a couple of years ago for a short visit and ended up furnishing nearly all the artwork in the beautiful Kilaga Springs Lodge at Sun City Lincoln Hills.Born and raised on acreage in rural Lincoln, the youngest of six boys, whose parents, Roy and Ruth Payne discouraged TV as recreation and entertainment in their home, Adair spent a lot of time out of doors and came to love the natural beauty that surrounded the then tiny town of Lincoln.Adair attended art classes taught by Mr. Welch and went on to earn his Bachelors of Fine Arts Degree in Graphic Design from Brigham Young University. His education in the arts was interrupted briefly when he served a mission for the Mormon Church in Cordoba, Argentina, but the beautiful landscapes of that country kept his love of outdoor and rural beauty alive during his two years of missionary service. His many clients have included Intel, Visa, Ford, Motorola, Lucent Technologies, TWA, Delta Airlines, Crystal Cruises and Viacom/Nickelodeon. He also received a Merit Award in the 5th International Art Competition sponsored by the Museum of Church History and Art in Salt Lake City Utah. The painting was then purchased to become part of the Museum's permanent collection.After such a wide and varied career, as a commercial artist and illustrator, his work of choice became painting the oaks, hills and granite boulders of his Lincoln area homeland.I was fortunate to meet with Adair on one of his return visits to Lincoln. We talked about the possibility of using some of his work in the lodge that was then under construction. A quick phone call put him in touch with the powers that be in Del Webb and they quickly scooped up everything he has with him and commissioned additional artwork for the new lodge.As you enter the lodge the view in every direction is breathtaking, but no one has ever come through the doors and not been taken back as they behold the huge painting that hangs over the reception area. You feel like you are standing amid the hills and granite boulders depicted in a painting that is truly magnificent.Visitors to the lodge often comment that they think they are viewing a photograph. It is so lifelike. As you continue to walk through the beautiful rooms and halls of the lodge there are a total of 10 other paintings that show the beauty and grandeur of our beloved Lincoln landscapes. From the Forest sunrise depicted in the picture over the fireplace, to the cows grazing on what looks like it could be on one of a number of surrounding farms or ranches in the nearby foothills.Payne also helped to oversee the design and placement of many old photographs of the early days of Lincoln that have also been used in certain areas of the lodge. This accomplished artist has come a long way since his sojourn at Lincoln High School.At the present time Adair has works displayed in well-known galleries in Sausalito, San Francisco, Calistoga, Palm Desert and Scottsdale Ariz. He continues to accept private commissions from friends and collectors.Adair and his wife Barbara recently moved to Lehi, Utah to be close to family members on both sides and also to enjoy the beauty of the mountains and valleys that surround the Salt Lake City area.For more information about the art of Adair Payne, please feel free to contact Adair at adairpayne@comcast.net.Arlan Welch has been retired for several years but still teaches evening art classes at Lincoln High School. His next class began last Thursday. Oct. 16, classes start at 7 p.m. Contact Lincoln High School for more information.