ACA Founding Directors
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Herman C. Du Toit, PhD
Executive Director
Born in South Africa, Herman du Toit has enjoyed an extensive career in the visual arts ever since his sixth grade teacher awarded him a book prize for his earliest charcoal drawings. He would later serve as Head (dean) of the School of Fine Arts at the former Durban Institute of Technology.
Herman immigrated with his family to the United States to complete a doctorate in art museum interpretive practices at Brigham Young University, and was appointed Head of Audience Education and Development of BYU’s Museum of Art (MOA) shortly after it opened its doors to the public in 1993. During his 18 year tenure at the MOA he curated exhibitions by some of the country’s most celebrated sculptors—Albert Paley, Brower Hatcher, Richard Hunt, Judy Pfaff—and served as lead educator for the museum’s most acclaimed religious exhibitions. He convened numerous symposia and lecture series, including the MOA’s biennial Art, Belief, Meaning symposium that drew presentations by some of Utah’s most talented artists, art writers, and commentators over the years. He retired in 2011 to continue his writing and to establish his own state-of-the-art photogravure studio.
He holds postgraduate degrees in art history, sculpture, and sociology of education from the former University of Natal in South Africa. At BYU he completed a doctorate in educational leadership and was awarded a J. Paul Getty fellowship for his PhD study of interpretive practices at some of America’s leading art museums. He has published and edited several books and numerous articles on visual art and the Restored Gospel, including Art and Spirituality: The Visual Culture of Christian Faith (BYU Studies, 2008), and most recently Masters of Light: Coming Unto Christ Through Inspired Devotional Art (Cedar Fort Publishing and Media, 2016).
He and his wife Sandy live in Provo, Utah. They are the parents of four children and currently have 16 grandchildren.
Executive Director
Born in South Africa, Herman du Toit has enjoyed an extensive career in the visual arts ever since his sixth grade teacher awarded him a book prize for his earliest charcoal drawings. He would later serve as Head (dean) of the School of Fine Arts at the former Durban Institute of Technology.
Herman immigrated with his family to the United States to complete a doctorate in art museum interpretive practices at Brigham Young University, and was appointed Head of Audience Education and Development of BYU’s Museum of Art (MOA) shortly after it opened its doors to the public in 1993. During his 18 year tenure at the MOA he curated exhibitions by some of the country’s most celebrated sculptors—Albert Paley, Brower Hatcher, Richard Hunt, Judy Pfaff—and served as lead educator for the museum’s most acclaimed religious exhibitions. He convened numerous symposia and lecture series, including the MOA’s biennial Art, Belief, Meaning symposium that drew presentations by some of Utah’s most talented artists, art writers, and commentators over the years. He retired in 2011 to continue his writing and to establish his own state-of-the-art photogravure studio.
He holds postgraduate degrees in art history, sculpture, and sociology of education from the former University of Natal in South Africa. At BYU he completed a doctorate in educational leadership and was awarded a J. Paul Getty fellowship for his PhD study of interpretive practices at some of America’s leading art museums. He has published and edited several books and numerous articles on visual art and the Restored Gospel, including Art and Spirituality: The Visual Culture of Christian Faith (BYU Studies, 2008), and most recently Masters of Light: Coming Unto Christ Through Inspired Devotional Art (Cedar Fort Publishing and Media, 2016).
He and his wife Sandy live in Provo, Utah. They are the parents of four children and currently have 16 grandchildren.
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Cynthia Dye
Administrative & Curatorial Director
Cynthia Dye grew up in Providence, Utah in the pastoral setting of rural Cache Valley where her love for art was always encouraged at home. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Utah State University she worked for world renowned photographer Don Busath in Salt Lake City, Utah and portrait designer Lisa Evans in Walnut Creek, California before establishing her own photographic art studio in 1990. Since the year 2000 she has devoted her energies to promoting reverential and devotional art through exhibits, events, and books. From 2017–19 one of her dreams became reality when she opened and oversaw the Ashton Gardens Art Gallery at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah. Her main goal with art is to help draw God's children unto Him and she is thankful for all the devoted artists who create such profound art.
Cynthia and her husband James are the parents of six children—three daughters and three sons. They split their time between their homes in South Jordan and Mountain Green, Utah.
Administrative & Curatorial Director
Cynthia Dye grew up in Providence, Utah in the pastoral setting of rural Cache Valley where her love for art was always encouraged at home. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Utah State University she worked for world renowned photographer Don Busath in Salt Lake City, Utah and portrait designer Lisa Evans in Walnut Creek, California before establishing her own photographic art studio in 1990. Since the year 2000 she has devoted her energies to promoting reverential and devotional art through exhibits, events, and books. From 2017–19 one of her dreams became reality when she opened and oversaw the Ashton Gardens Art Gallery at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah. Her main goal with art is to help draw God's children unto Him and she is thankful for all the devoted artists who create such profound art.
Cynthia and her husband James are the parents of six children—three daughters and three sons. They split their time between their homes in South Jordan and Mountain Green, Utah.
PERSONAL STATEMENT
Art has been a focal point of my life since my earliest memories. I wonder if my mother had any idea the impact a pioneer scene (painted by my grandfather's sister) would have on a young child. Perhaps that's why she hung it in the most prominent place of our home—on a ten foot high dining room wall. It was the first thing we saw when entering the front door and kept us company through every Sunday dinner. I couldn't help but grow up knowing how important my family heritage was and that I was the recipient of generations who went before me. I didn't know at the time how that picture was influencing me, I only knew I loved examining it. My current home also has paintings in it, like the one to the right. I hope they are having a similar affect on my own children, reaching them in ways words never can, bringing them thoughts inspired from on high. Such is the power of art—like music, it takes us to places deep within the heart. |
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Guy Trawick
Development Director
Guy Trawick was born in Southern California and grew up in Northwestern Florida. He met and married his best friend Cassandra (Casey) Henderson from Olympia, Washington, and they have one son.
Guy has had the wonderful opportunity to travel often throughout his life as a youth and as an adult. In these travels he and his wife have fallen in love with art. Now having collected for over 20 years, they have enjoyed meeting and working with many of the artists in the West, and have tirelessly devoted their time and energies to promoting inspirational and religious works of art through exhibitions and sales. For three years he was the gallery director at the prestigious Illume Gallery of Fine Art at City Creek, Salt Lake City, Utah, where he was involved in the day-to-day business operations and working directly with artists and collectors.
“What a great feeling you get when you truly enjoy the gift of art with the artist and others that believe and feel the same way that you do.” Guy finds it an honor to stand by their side and witness their great talents and full-hearted spirits. “Even though I do not draw, paint, or sculpt, I love every aspect of the artists' talent and admire their abilities.”
With a background in human resources, management, business development, and sales, Guy brings a wide range of experience and a wealth of practical knowledge to the Alliance of Covenant Artists.
Development Director
Guy Trawick was born in Southern California and grew up in Northwestern Florida. He met and married his best friend Cassandra (Casey) Henderson from Olympia, Washington, and they have one son.
Guy has had the wonderful opportunity to travel often throughout his life as a youth and as an adult. In these travels he and his wife have fallen in love with art. Now having collected for over 20 years, they have enjoyed meeting and working with many of the artists in the West, and have tirelessly devoted their time and energies to promoting inspirational and religious works of art through exhibitions and sales. For three years he was the gallery director at the prestigious Illume Gallery of Fine Art at City Creek, Salt Lake City, Utah, where he was involved in the day-to-day business operations and working directly with artists and collectors.
“What a great feeling you get when you truly enjoy the gift of art with the artist and others that believe and feel the same way that you do.” Guy finds it an honor to stand by their side and witness their great talents and full-hearted spirits. “Even though I do not draw, paint, or sculpt, I love every aspect of the artists' talent and admire their abilities.”
With a background in human resources, management, business development, and sales, Guy brings a wide range of experience and a wealth of practical knowledge to the Alliance of Covenant Artists.