DAVIS COUNTY — Though the county isn’t as dominant as Salt Lake or Ogden, residents aren’t about to let that stop them artistically.

Though all of the arts have a strong presence in Davis County, the visual arts may be the most prevalent. The area has 13 different art galleries, stretching as far north as Antelope Island, with five located within the Bountiful City limits. In addition to that, there are several individual artists and photographers who live and work in the area, as well as several art festivals and a thriving art program in several local high schools.

“We have a great emphasis on art in Davis County,” said Emma Dugal, executive director of the Bountiful/Davis Art Center. “We also have a lot of excellent artists per capita, maybe more than just about anywhere else.”

There are several theories among local artists as to the reasons behind the county’s combination of talent and support. One possibility is the legacy of a handful of local artists who achieved national renown, including the late landscape painter (and Kaysville native) LeConte Stewart.

“People here are very proud of him. They come in all the time and talk about when they were a student of his,” said Anne Stewart, LeConte’s granddaughter and manager of the LeConte Stewart gift shop in Kaysville. “He helped bring a focus on art to the county.”

Others feel that the area’s artistic tradition goes back even farther, to the pioneers that settled the entire state. Evidence of how much they valued art survives to this day in the Museum of Church History and Art in Salt Lake City, a legacy that may have contributed to the feelings of today’s artists and art lovers.

“Art was so important to the pioneers,” said local artist and jewelry maker Mary Ann Loveless. “When they came here, it wasn’t a very pretty place. The idea of creating beauty was probably very appealing.”

Collaboration among different arts groups is also an important part of what keeps the local art community strong. The various Bountiful art galleries time their show openings to create a single art walk, and often work together on art festivals such as the Magic on the Sidewalk Chalk Art Festival and Summerfest.

“I think there’s a lot more potential,” said Dugal. “We’re trying to make this a little mecca.”

No matter what the reason, many local artists are simply grateful.

“I think everyone needs to have art in his or her life,” said local artist and art teacher Colleen Parker. “It makes a big difference in how they see and enjoy the world.”