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I always find it so interesting to see where someone's career path takes him or her, particularly when it's a major change. Such is the case for Tom Alder.
Tom spent many years in mortgage banking. He graduated from the University of Utah in 1975 with a business management degree. With the goal of a retirement hobby in mind, he began taking one art history class per semester at the University of Utah. Five years later, Tom graduated with a master's degree in art history. He planned to continue his banking work until Clayton Williams approached him.
Clayton, who has an extensive art background, founded Williams Fine Art in the former ZCMI Center in 1988 but relocated one block east on South Temple after learning the mall would be torn down as part of the City Creek Center development. Clayton was interested in having someone who loved art as much as he did eventually take over the gallery. Tom was ready for a change, and with his passion for art, he and Clayton became partners.
Today, Tom is the managing partner for Williams Fine Art, which specializes in early and contemporary Utah artwork. Some of the early artists it features include LeConte Stewart and Minerva Teichert. The gallery presents 24 contemporary artists including Bonnie Posselli, John Collins, David Miekle, Kate Starling and Erin Barrett, just to name a few. In addition, the gallery accepts consignments from private owners and estates.
Tom says the gallery is doing well, especially in light of the current economic situation. On the third Friday of every month Williams Fine Art stays open late for the downtown gallery strolls. In the next few months it will host several public events including a 30 percent off sale in April, a three-week art show beginning May 20 and the Wasatch Society of Artists event in June.
