Event: “Placemaking” Public Art Show at Rio Gallery

“Placemaking” Public Art Show at Rio Gallery

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Public Art Program is honored to present “Placemaking: The Process and Influence of Public Art in Utah,” an exhibition of artist concepts and samples created in the process of making public art for sites all over Utah.

The exhibition opens August 17 and runs through September 14, 2012, at the Rio Gallery, 300 S. Rio Grande (455 West) in Salt Lake City. The Rio Gallery is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

Since the passage of Utah’s Percent for Art Act of 1985, many state facilities have had 1% of construction costs added to the project in order to commission artists to create site-specific artwork for the buildings. Over the past 27 years, more than 200 artworks have been commissioned at more than 100 sites all over the state. These works range from watercolors to monument stone sculptures by artists from Utah and across the United States.

Each of these commissions was selected by individuals from within those communities where the artwork is sited. “Hundreds of individuals have contributed to their communities by serving on these selection committees,” noted Margaret Hunt, Director of Utah Arts & Museums. “Together they have created an impressive collection of public art that contributes to their communities’ quality of life and economic vitality.”

Some of the artists included in the exhibition include Darl Thomas, Robert Perless, Ray King, Mark DeGraffenreid, James Avati, Richard Johnston, Dan Cummings and Christian Moeller, among others.

The Public Art Program, part of Utah Arts & Museums, manages Utah’s public art projects and maintenance of the collection, as well as promoting art in public places through technical assistance and community projects. More information is available at utahpublicart.org or by calling  801-533-3581 or  801-533-3585.

Photo credit: Ray King, “Split Spiral,” 2012 USU USTAR Innovation Campus, Logan. Photo courtesy of the artist.

About Utah Arts & Museums

Utah Arts & Museums is a division of the Utah Department of Heritage and Arts 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 the programs and services can be found at artsandmuseums.utah.gov or by calling  801.236.7555.