Like the intricate, alluring trees she paints, Utah artist Janell James experiences seasons of change and growth. In her debut for this spring, the artist has branched out to a new medium by moving from her familiar oil and canvas to acrylic and Plexiglas. The transition is a […]
In his latest work, Remington and Weasel, Utah playwright L.L. West gives a knowing nod to the freedom and consequences that come with throwing out the play book to live life on one’s own terms. Appropriately set in the rigid confines of academia, the story follows film Professor […]
Once upon a time, stories told through theater resonated with audiences because they explored uncomfortable yet real themes, but this power has been diminished by the popularity of theatrical productions with fairy-tale endings where love conquers all and conflicts are ultimately wrapped up in a tidy, sugar-coated […]
The rare power of documentary photography is its ability to capture a moment and give the viewer access to a raw scene that evokes a disconcerting sense of intimacy with an unfamiliar, sometimes uncomfortable subject. It’s the visual equivalent of reading a journal filled with personal stories, including […]
Picture a young child coloring: they smile in delight at picking out just the right crayon or enthusiastically grab a random one from the floor; they fill the page with broad strokes of vibrant color without any regard for the lines (assuming there are any); and an infectious […]
ACT I Eric Samuelsen enters stage right. He’s a broad man with keenly intelligent eyes and an infectious smile. Samuelsen looks surprised to be here. He’s a playwright after all, not an actor. ERIC: Choosing not to act was not a difficult call. He laughs good-naturedly. ERIC: It […]
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Eric Samuelsen, resident playwright for Plan-B Theatre Company. His latest work, Clearing Bombs, will debut on February 20. During our conversation, I was struck by Samuelsen’s success: 20 years as professor in the theatre department at Brigham Young University […]
For many, Christmas comes with a concentrated dose of dysfunctional family “fun.” Anyone who didn’t get theirs this year can find it at A Night with the Family, Matthew Ivan Bennett’s new play being staged by Pygmalion Productions. The comedy takes us back to the holiday with an energetic performance […]
Anyone who has attended the Utah Symphony over the past two years knows how Thierry Fischer has helped changed the artistic landscape of the state. What most don’t realize, however, is what his wife has done for that same landscape. The Fischers live in Geneva, Switzerland and spend […]
Local artist and writer Bridgette Meinhold can capture the nuts and bolts of a place, as well as its mood. Both skills lend themselves to her latest endeavors. She recently published her first book, Urgent Architecture – 40 Sustainable Housing Solutions for a Changing World, where she writes about […]
The often stated aphorism, “That which does not kill us makes us stronger,” may buoy one in rough times but can leave a person wondering how to navigate from emotional or physical turmoil back to a place of strength. That sort of emotional and physical tension is evident […]
After working in Manhattan, running a farm in Wisconsin, and owning a restaurant in Salt Lake (remember Brumbies?), Karen and Paul Gladstone have retired and discovered the joys of working in ceramics. Karen, President of Clay Arts Utah, and her husband Paul, both work in clay but their […]
