Jessica Norie is the Executive Director of Artspace, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation founded in 1980. Artspace’s mixed-use projects incorporate affordable housing and commercial spaces such as artist studios, galleries, offices for nonprofits and small retail shops. Their newest project, Artspace Commons, is under construction at 423 West 800 South in Salt Lake City.

What hangs above your mantel?

Right now I’m moving to a new house so my walls are naked. But in my office, directly across from where I sit are three plates painted by Szugye. When I saw the paintings at the Art Access annual plate show I just had to have them and I had to throw a few elbows to get them. The plate show is a great way to collect art by this state’s rich collection of artists and support a wonderful nonprofit. Also, I have to say they were uniquely framed by Tanner Frames in a way that makes the pieces appear to float on the wall. Both Art Access and Tanner Frames are in the Artspace City Center building at 230 S 500 West and I feel so fortunate to have these treasures just downstairs from my office.

What is your favorite building in Utah?

I know I shouldn’t have favorites so I have to say that the three Artspace buildings are all wonderful to me. Artspace Rubber Company at 353 West 200 South was designed as a cold storage warehouse by Richard Kletting, the architect who also designed the Utah State Capitol. Artspace worked with MJSA Architects to redesign the warehouse as one of the first loft residential units in downtown Salt Lake City. Max Smith designed the building so that the sunlight from the skylight falls through the cut outs on each floor and lights the building in an amazing way. I also love the industrial chic of Artspace Bridge Projects at 511 West 200 South that was designed by Prescott Muir Architects. And Artspace City Center at 230 South 500 West, also done by MJSA, where the Artspace offices are, is a wonderful historic renovation that transforms the court where the train pulled into the center of the building to an interior garden.

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

I loved the UMFA’s Picasso to Monet exhibit. We are so fortunate to have a museum and donors able to bring these works to Salt Lake City. Seeing the exhibit I thought of all the emerging artists in Artspace projects and wondered which of their works might be in a traveling exhibit a hundred years from now.

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.