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"Giving everyone their fifteen bytes of fame".
December 2002
Page 6
Gallery Stroll Review-- Salt Lake City
Bjorn Shuster, Holiday Arts & Crafts
Mariah Mann Mellus
mariahm@worldstrides.com     

The month of December is never like the rest of the lazy daisy months the rest of the year, it's a little different and so is the Gallery Stroll. Normally held on the third Friday of the month the galleries know that December is just too busy of a month, so the official Gallery Stroll aka the Holiday Stroll is held on the first Friday of December, December 6th. Some of the shows run all month for those last minute shoppers and alas some show will run one night only. I have included a guide to where, when and for how long.

Bjorn Shuster

Trasa Urban Arts Collective located at 741 South and 400 West in the Old Pickle Factory presents it's first one man show!  Bjorn Shuster, Concrete and Chrome oil paintings and graphite drawings investigating the new face of our western landscapes. Rather than focusing on the traditional open canyons, red buttes, cowboys and horses Shuster looks at the new landscape encroaching. Vast networks of multi-lane freeways, overpasses replacing natural arches, these are the images that now define our experience of the west. Shuster's work is not of nostalgic scene's of the west but represent the present and his investigation into the beauty of the New West!  Bjorn Shuster's work will be on display from 6pm to 10pm on December 13th and 21st.

Art Access located at 339 West Pierpont Avenue hosts it's annual HOLIDAY GROUP EXHIBITION SHOW. Featuring local artisans Lee Dillon, Dennis Papworth, Maria Elen De Avila, Bonnie Susec, Kurt and Rebecca Knudsen, Marcee, Blackerby, Downy Doxey-Marshall, Jeronimo Lozano, Jamaica Trinnaman, April Motley, Heidi Moller Somsen, Anthony Siciliano, Harry Taylor, Brian Kershisnik and Joe Adams. A special Art Access Christmas tree will be on display created by Jean Irwin. Wow that is a lot of talented artists in one room! My suggestions a nice kaleidoscope or hanging glass star for that hard to shop for person. This show runs until December 20th.

Finch Lane aka The Art Barn located at 54 Finch Lane celebrates the nineteenth anniversary of the ever so popular HOLIDAY CRAFT EXHIBIT AND SALE. Hand made work by over five dozen local artists and artisans. The Park Gallery located in the lower level of Finch Lane has been transformed into an emporium of Jewelry, glass, pottery, wearable art, ornaments and accessories. In the main level of the gallery they will continue to display the photographs and photo- silk-screened works by Dan Arsenault and the oil painting by Jeff Clark. The Holiday Craft Exhibit opened Gallery Stroll night from 6pm to 9pm and will run Saturday and Sunday from 1pm to 7pm until December 22nd.

 
Public Issues
The UAC to be evicted? continued from page 5

Tracie Cayford, media relations director for the Department of Community and Economic Development (which oversees the operations of the Arts Council) says that despite rumors "there are no plans to move the Arts Council" from the Glendinning home. She says that the only discussion about a move has been in relation to the Utah Cultural Center, but that their office has not discussed a move in the immediate future -- at least eighteen months to two years. Futhermore, she states that there are no tenants lined up to use the building.

Cayford points out, however, that the ultimate decision is not theirs. That rests in the hands of Joe Jenkins, director of Facilities Construciton and Management, whose office is always looking for "effective use of state offices." Cayford points out that even her office could be moved tomorrow if Jenkins' office determined it would be for the best. We have been unable to get a comment from Jenkins.

The fate of the location of the Utah Arts Council is of vital importance to the visual arts community. Whatever your opinion on the fate of the building and the Council, we urge you to make your voice heard. Below are some of the indiviudals who may be contacted regarding the Glendinning home and the Utah Arts Council. In addition make sure to contact your elected representatives to let your voice be heard. In addition, we will be publishing in this space any comments on the issue. Send your comments to artistsofutah@netzero.net

Please call Bonnie Stephens at 236-7555 if you would like to know more about the issue.

You may also want to contact:
David Harmer (Department of Community and Economic Development, 324 South State Street, 5th Floor, SLC, UT 84111)
Joe Jenkins (Facilities Construciton and Management, 4110 State Office Building, SLC, UT 84114)
Rich McKeown (Office of the Governor, 210 State Capitol, SLC, UT 84114).


To Reproduce . . . continued from page 4

When selecting an agent, an artist has to remember to define the role they want the agent to play. Some select publishers, some select from a pure business background, some have a combination, and some use galleries. From state to state the pricing also changes. Some agents take a profit percentage of sales. Others are hired on an hourly basis with fee for service contracts. Some have a combination. Some are representatives and sell the art directly.  Locally I know that locating such an entity is hard. Agents are not living in Utah as a rule of thumb. They are in L.A., N.Y.C., Boston, Atlanta, and Chicago. Here artists tend to find people that will manage the daily operations while they find outlets themselves.

It is up to you what you want and what you can afford. Initially you may have to be your own agent, which has its own advantage -- you are getting the feedback directly.


To Reproduce
Locally, many artists do reproductions. Some, who I know personally, have a cache of cards knee-deep in their basements. My personal bias is toward the IRIS giclee process. It is no secret I own and operate The Art Is In, here in Salt Lake, where we sell original and reproductions of art work. It is also no secret that I love and am passionate about art. I do however, reproduce and promote artworks every day. Reproduction allows art to be consumed. Be it an original or a print you hang, it is an investment like no other. Spread your images around!

(Heather Weiler is a speech-language pathologist in the Jordan Public Schools by day. She has degrees from the University of Vermont and Emerson College. When not plying that trade, she stays busy with running the store on weekends, helping her children with their school projects, and meeting with wonderful artists from all around and trying to promote living life artfully.)