{"id":105239,"date":"2026-08-28T07:12:47","date_gmt":"2026-08-28T14:12:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/artistsofutah.org\/15Bytes\/?p=105239"},"modified":"2026-08-31T12:01:39","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T19:01:39","slug":"shaped-by-material-how-artist-leaders-are-building-a-creative-future-in-south-salt-lake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/artistsofutah.org\/15Bytes\/shaped-by-material-how-artist-leaders-are-building-a-creative-future-in-south-salt-lake\/","title":{"rendered":"Shaped by Material: Artist-Leaders are Building a Creative Future in South Salt Lake"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Material, located at 2970 South West Temple in South Salt Lake, celebrated three year in business this month.<\/p><\/div>\n

How do you cultivate and sustain a thriving arts economy when you aren\u2019t located in a major global art city? It is a question many art institutions and organizations are asking, especially at a time when the art world is wavering and feels uncertain. Material, a local art organization based in South Salt Lake, has made that question central to its mission.<\/p>\n

Material was founded in 2023<\/a> by longtime studio mates and friends Jorge Rojas and Colour Maisch. \u201cWe created Material because we felt there was room for a different kind of art space; one that was artist-led and just as rooted in community as in exhibitions,\u201d they say.<\/p>\n

It began as a place where Rojas and Maisch could make their own work while addressing a need they saw. Material was envisioned as a community-centered space where exhibitions, performances, conversations and events could coexist, fostering meaningful engagement between artists and the public.<\/p>\n

Even the name reflects that philosophy. Material refers not only to the physical materials artists use, but also to the idea that materials carry history, labor, culture and memory. \u201cAt Material, we often talk about how the space itself is like a material\u2014something that can be shaped and molded to meet the evolving needs of our community.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Material founders Jorge Rojas (left) and Colour Maisch, with Molly Heller (right). Image courtesy of Material.<\/p><\/div>\n

Now, as the gallery marks its third anniversary, Material itself is being reshaped. Maisch has stepped away to focus on her artistic practice and family, while Rojas is continuing the gallery\u2019s next chapter in partnership with Molly Heller. Together, they are expanding exhibitions, public programming and collaborations while introducing a new shop offering original artworks, handmade objects and gifts at more accessible price points.<\/p>\n

Heller brings experience as director of Heartland Collective and as an associate professor at the University of Utah\u2019s School of Dance, with a background in choreography, performance, curation and education. \u201cColour and Jorge have created such a strong foundation in Material\u2019s first three years,\u201d Heller says. \u201cI hope to honor what has been established and am excited to contribute to curating even more cross-disciplinary art experiences that continue to strengthen South Salt Lake as an arts and cultural destination.\u201d<\/p>\n

From the beginning, Material has championed emerging and mid-career artists, presenting work by local, national and international artists while emphasizing cultural exchange, social engagement and creative risk-taking. But Rojas and Heller see the gallery as more than an exhibition venue. They describe it as infrastructure for artists: a place to experiment, build relationships, find audiences and create new opportunities.<\/p>\n

Material is hardly alone in that effort. Material points to a growing network of artist-led organizations and independent spaces in Utah, including Sister, FICE, 801 Salon, Vis, Sugar Space, Medium Studio, The Gala, Art Factory, Poor Yorick Studios, Books & Supply and Mono Tape Club. Artists and art students are also organizing small galleries and pop-up exhibitions in apartments, garages, backyards and other unexpected places, including Arcade on Stadium and 99.9 Gallery.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt reminds us that a building doesn\u2019t define a meaningful art space; it\u2019s created by people who care enough to make one.\u201d For Material, these developments suggest a broader shift in how galleries might operate. \u201cWe\u2019re also seeing a shift away from the traditional white cube gallery model that\u2019s only open for exhibitions,\u201d they say. \u201cThat model has become increasingly difficult to sustain, and we\u2019re seeing many galleries around the country close their doors.\u201d<\/p>\n