As a folklorist for the Utah Arts Council since 1978, Carol Edison has conducted fieldwork in Utah’s Native American, rural, occupational and ethnic communities. Her research has resulted in the production of numerous exhibits, concerts, festivals, audio-visual productions and publications featuring Utah’s community-based traditional arts and artists. Since 1986 she has directed programs at the Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts, a facility located in Salt Lake’s Liberty Park that houses the nation’s only museum dedicated to a state-owned collection of contemporary folk art. A native Utahn, Edison earned an M.A. in English from the University of Utah. In 2010 she was awarded the Benjamin Botkin Award for Significant Achievement in Public Folklore by the American Folklore Society.

 What hangs above your mantel:

The painting above my mantle is the work of Utah artist Florence Ware. It is a closeup view of trees, with orange autumn leaves and a blue sky in the background. It’s richness gives me a feeling of calm contentedness.

What is the most memorable exhibit you’ve seen recently?

Nothing I’ve seen recently has had the impact of two exhibits I saw in the early 1990s. One was a major exhibition of Matisse’s work in New York and the other was a modest display of local Navajo and Mountain Ute baskets tucked away on the back wall of Parley Redd’s grocery store in Blanding. They both changed my life.

What are you reading?

I just finished a wonderful book called “The 19th Wife” by David Ebershoff — an engaging piece that explores 19th and 20th century polygamy through parallel stories. Now I’m into another of Donna Leon’s habit-forming mysteries set in Venice starring the utterly charming detective, Guido Brunetti. I can’t wait to treat myself to just one chapter every night.

On the Spot

This is our chance to check in with members of Utah’s art community to see what they’ve been reading, seeing, doing.