March 1, 2011
For immediate release
"Homage" exhibit opens at the Rio Gallery Friday, March 18
30 Utah artists pay tribute to those who have influenced their work
SALT LAKE CITY — “Homage,” an exhibit featuring 30 Utah artists and the individuals that inspire them, will open at the Rio Gallery Friday, March 18, 2011 with an artists’ reception from 6:00 to 9:00 pm, during the Gallery Stroll. The show will continue Mondays through Thursdays from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm through April 28. The Rio Gallery is located at 300 South Rio Grande Street (455 West) in Salt Lake City.
Art does not exist in a vacuum. Every creative spark has a source — or sometimes many sources. “Homage” was organized in recognition of this. Each of the participating artists was invited to select an individual who has influenced their work, to whom they would like to pay tribute. The pieces in the show are not copies of existing artworks, but rather each artist's homage to this person's influence in their life and work. The people selected as influences range from icons of art history, to art professors and teachers; they include writers, and in one case, the artist's father.
“’Homage’ will be a rare look into that elusive arena of artist inspiration that propels artists to work and helps them succeed,” said Margaret Hunt, Director of the Utah Division of Arts & Museums. “We look forward to seeing what part of that process they choose to share with us.”
"The wide variety of influences is exciting to me," said Namon Bills, show organizer and participant. "When I thought of the original idea for the show, I was focusing solely on visual artists. As often happens with group shows, participating artists take the curator's concept to a whole new level, which I think makes for a richer show overall."
The show includes well-established as well as emerging artists who work in a variety of media and styles. The show will include painting, sculpture and ceramics, as well as video and installation art.
"The range of media will be a real strength to the show," said Bills. "I like to think of it as a visual symphony, with each style and medium adding its voice to the whole."
Participating artists include Linnie Brown, Joey Behrens, Emily Bunnell, Jane Catlin, Sunny Belliston, Sandy Brunvard, Stefanie Dykes, Joe Norman, Barb Frazier, Aundrea Frahm, Von Allen, Marcee Blackerby, Namon Bills, Spencer Budd, Blue Critchfield, Randal Marsh, Camille Wheatley, Justin Wheatley, Steven Stradley, Chris Terry, Gary Barton, Joe Ostraff, Peter Everett, Noel Carmack, Steven Sheffield, Josh Toone, Ric Blackerby, Brian Christensen, Travis Tanner and John Neely.
For more information visit the Division of Arts & Museums website at www.artsandmuseums.utah.gov or contact Wendi Hassan at whassan@utah.gov, 801.860.6396. Information about the Rio Gallery can also be found at www.riogallery.org.
About the Rio Gallery
Located in the grand lobby of the old Rio Grande Depot, the Rio Gallery is managed by the Utah Division of Arts & Museums and was established as a service to Utah artists, providing a venue for emerging as well as established artists to gather and educate the community through their artwork.
About the Utah Division of Arts & Museums
The Utah Division of Arts & Museums is a division of the Utah Department of Community and Culture with a goal to promote innovation in and the growth of Utah’s arts and culture community. The Division provides funding, education, and technical services to individuals and organizations statewide so that all Utahns, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity or economic status, can access, understand, and receive the benefits of arts and culture. Additional information on these programs and services can be found at www.artsandmuseums.utah.gov or by calling 801.236.7555.
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