As time has gone on, history has become so intertwined with art that depictions of past achievements and long-forgotten occurances make up a genre all their own. Indeed, art has become a profound medium to bring to life moments that flashed across the landscapes of time too quickly to be remembered, or too long ago to be properly recorded. Great acheivments, marvelous discoveries, impressive victories, and the ever-prodding hand of progress can be snapped back to our current reality in a way that only art can grasp.

Bulgarian painter and sculptor Asen Balakchiev has turned the west wall of the Bingham Cyclery in Provo's Historic Downtown into a canvas that spans decades. In his mural, "History of Provo", he depicts four moments in Provo's history that have long since been forgotten, but have not lost signifigance. Calling back to a time when the streets of this college town were sparse, horses galloped where SUV's and budget sedans would one day sit in traffic, and the brand new railroad, not the Internet, was the main connection to the outside world, "History of Provo" depicts Fort Provo of 1849, Provo's first industrial mills in 1850, the first locomotive to steam into the town in 1869, and the first public school in 1875.

The events are beautifully rendered by Balakchiev who wisely considers art as a form of spiritual expression. In conjunction with how he feels about his faith and what he believes in, he has depicted these great events in Provo's personal history in bright, sun-lit colors and vibrant tones as Provo's ancient denizens go about their business to the backdrop of Utah Valley's beautiful mountains. Times have changed, but history has not been forgotten.

In the scheme of World history, Provo's simple historical milestones may seem small or insignificant to some. However, every place and every person has their history, and nothing can be separated from its past.

See "History of Provo" for yourself in Downtown Historic Provo on Freedom Boulevard and Center Street.

External Links
Provo History Brought to Life by Bulgarian Immigrant (BYU NewsNet)