One of the Salt Lake City Arts Council’s most popular exhibitions returns to the Finch Lane Gallery on August 12, 2016. Artists of Utah’s 35 x 35 is a recurring exhibition which showcases thirty-five Utah artists who are thirty-five years old or younger. This exhibition not only provides young artists a valuable opportunity for important professional development at an early stage in their careers, it also presents a broad range of styles, interests, and media for the public to engage in as they experience the work of local emerging artists. Whether you are an art collector or an art appreciator, this exhibition is not to be missed. The exhibition runs August 12 through September 23, with an opening reception on August 12 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Artists are selected by the Artists of Utah Board of Directors through an open call for entries and a blind review process. The jurors select thirty-five artists to exhibit, and the show is curated by Artists of Utah staff along with Finch Lane Gallery. “These shows are always a great mix,” says Artists of Utah Executive Director Shawn Rossiter. “Some of the artists are still in school while others are well on their way to established careers. Stylistically, thematically there’s a great variety; within that variety, however, you begin to see common interests or methods emerge, even when the artists don’t know each other or come from different backgrounds. Watching those conversations emerge between the works is one of the reasons we do this show. And we hope the show will help similar dialogues develop among the artists and between them and the Utah public.”

The exhibition coincides with Artists of Utah’s 15-year anniversary. In September of 2001, the newly established Artists of Utah published their first edition of 15 Bytes, Utah’s Art Magazine. Beginning as a publication devoted to Utah’s visual art scene, the online magazine has grown to include the literary and performing arts as well. To celebrate their 15th anniversary special music and dance performance as well as the presentation of the 35 x 35 exhibition awards will be held at Finch Lane Gallery on Friday, September 16, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Three juror awards will be presented at 8:00 p.m., as well as a Board of Directors Award and a People’s Choice Award (ballots for the People’s Choice Award will be available at Finch Lane Gallery until September 16).

Throughout the run of 35×35, 15 Bytes will include expanded coverage of the exhibition, including video interviews with the artists available at artistsofutah.org/15Bytes. Artists’ talks will be presented on Friday, August 19 from 6:00-6:30 p.m.

Finch Lane Gallery (54 Finch Lane) is free of charge during our hours of operation: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with additional evening hours during the Salt Lake City Gallery Stroll on August 19 and September 16 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. For additional information, contact the Salt Lake City Arts Council, 801.596.5000 or visit http://www.saltlakearts.org