It’s that time of year, when the weather can shift from brisk autumn to languid summer, all within a 24 hour period. Either way, it’s a perfect time to get out and about. A chance to wear that snazzy new jacket at night, or strip down to shirtsleeves in the day. Below is a sampling of some of the great activities the folks in the art community have prepared for you and your wardrobe.

James Charles at work in his Poor Yorick studio.

September 28
Friday night is Poor Yorick’s Fall Open Studio, from 6 to 10 pm. In addition to food and drink you can catch music by the Red Rock Hot Club as you take a look at the work and working spaces of over 50 artists, including the Artist Profile for our September edition of 15 Bytes, James Charles.

In downtown Salt Lake, UMOCA will be hosting John Bell’s The Next Supper – A Dinner Happening at 7 pm. During Bell’s private performance, 68 guests will be seated at a long table in UMOCA’s Main Gallery and invited to finish Bell’s partially completed canvasses using as raw materials the dinner and other objects on the table in front of them. The screen prints created by Bell with text and images will serve as both provocation and backdrop. Bell will encourage guests to use their food and other elements on the table, including wine, candle wax, flowers, and utensils, to react to and complete the canvases. Visitors to UMOCA will be able to observe the dinner and performance from the walkways over the Main Gallery.

Up in Park City this weekend it’s the Park City Gallery Association’s Fashion Stroll. Five Galleries are celebrating Fall Fashion by displaying the work of up-and-coming designers in their galleries, alongside featured trunk shows in Main Street boutiques. During the gallery walk Friday night from 6 to 9pm, you’ll have the chance to meet designers, shop their new creations and enjoy light bites and drinks. Saturday gives you one more day to enjoy all of the great fall fashion. Participating galleries include Gallery MAR, Meyer Gallery, CODA Gallery, District Gallery, and Old Towne Gallery. Participating boutiques include Panache Park City, Flight, and Mary Jane’s.

In Bountiful the BDAC opens an exhibit that takes a look back at the past fifteen years as they prepare for a new stage in their development in a new building. From 7 to 9 the BDAC opens Foundations: The Artists of the Bountiful/Davis Art Center (1997-2012) which features work by over 100 artists who have shown at the Center over the past fifteen years. It’s a way to bid adieu to the building on Main Street (which they will soon be vacating) as well as honor former BDAC director Arley Curtz for his creativity and dedication to art and individual artists. At the end of the year, the BDAC will temporarily move to the Davis County Memorial Courthouse in Farmington while it’s permanent home, the current Bountiful City Hall, 790 South 100 East, is being renovated.

If you’re in Ogden you might think of dropping in at the Art Gathering at the studio of Roberta Glidden, where Laura Stott and Jake Rogers will be performing a collaboration of music and poetry. Stott received an MFA in poetry from Eastern Washington University where she worked as managing editor of the national publication Willow Springs. Her poems have been published in numerous publications and she recently finished a book of poems, themed in migration and myth. Recently transplanted to Utah from Los Angeles, Laura will be reading from these works, interweaving them with songs by Rogers, whose electric guitar will be channeled through a big white furry amplifier based on the abominable snowman (there’s no fee and everyone is invited; a bottle of wine or finger food to share is always appreciated).
Glidden Studio, 1009 23^rd Street, Ogden
801-394-5688

September 29
If you are not too tired from all the events going on Friday night, Saturday would like some of your attention.

At Ken Sanders Rare Books in Salt Lake City master book artists Peter and Donna Thomas stopping in for a book signing and lecture entitled “The Ascent of the Artist Book in the Age of the E-reader.” Peter and Donna Thomas’ new book, “1000 Artists’ Books: Exploring the Book as Art” (published by Quarry Books), will be available for signing and purchase at the event ($25, Hardcover). The Thomas’ will have a variety of their handmade artist books available for purchase as well. Peter and Donna will be in and around the store throughout the day discussing their work, playing ukuleles, or showing off their books inside their custom-built Gyspy Wagon which they use to tour the country. From 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. they will give their lecture and presentation.  The event is free and open to the public.

Once you’re done at Ken Sanders, hike out to West Valley City for the unveiling of the Chinese Heritage Gate at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center followed by a cultural celebration, 6-10 pm. Ten years in the making, the gate will be a prominent structure on the Cultural Center grounds, inviting visitors to admire its architectural beauty and reflect on Chinese culture. In addition to the public celebration on September 29, two special complementary exhibits have been installed at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center showcasing artwork from Taiwan. The Beauty of Nantou 2012 features contemporary fine art by over 25 of Taiwan’s most famous and celebrated artists. Why Taiwan Matters is an informational photography exhibit that traces the history of Taiwan from its beginnings as a full democracy to preserving traditional culture to contributions to the global economy, arts, medical field and technology.

15 Bytes

UTAH’S ART MAGAZINE SINCE 2001, 15 Bytes is published by Artists of Utah, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.