Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
- Local artists showcase winter-themed installations at The Gateway in Salt Lake City.
- The Art Shop Project selected artists for six "Winter Hues" installations along Rio Grande Street.
- Artists aim to inspire joy and wonder, with meet and greets every third Friday.
SALT LAKE CITY — Whimsical winter-themed works of art by local artists are adorning windows in downtown Salt Lake City at the Gateway.
"My hope is people feel happiness, joy and a sense of wonder because of the display," Hooper, Weber County, artist Beatriz Killpack said.
Artists were chosen by The Art Shop Project for six installations in windows along Rio Grande Street based on the theme "Winter Hues." As part of the Salt Lake City Gallery Art Stroll, the artists will be available for meet and greets every third Friday through February while the artworks are on display.
"Our goal is to showcase wondrous works of art that radiate with color to enhance and brighten The Gateway during the winter season," said Julissa Breslin, The Gateway's marketing director. The "innovative" designs bring "vibrancy" to the season and takes advantage of Salt Lake City's "dynamic arts scene," she said.
Killpack said she has always been a fan of Van Gogh, so she wanted to create a wintry "Starry Night" over Salt Lake City. Using all recycled materials, she constructed her 3D masterpiece out of paper mache, wrapping paper, old shipping boxes, lights, paint, cardboard, styrofoam and more.
"It was quite a project," she said, describing how she created the artwork at home and then took it apart to transport and put back together in the 8-foot square window.
"I've been interested in doing all kinds of arts and crafts, and this kind of combines everything. Because it's making — it's not just painting. It's really exciting for me, as an artist, to use basically all of my skills I have been acquiring to make something," Killpack said.
Killpack was initially hesitant to apply for the installation, but she was emboldened after attending a workshop about public art where the speaker said to "just go for it."
"I didn't know if I was going to get it, but I did, so that was fun. Just apply, and you might get something. That's what I have been doing with different things. I'm just winging it and hoping for the best," she joked.
Ogden artist Tink Safeer also focused her artwork on the winter sky. Even though it is dark, it makes all of the lights stand out more, she said.
"My favorite thing is the sky, anytime of year, but in the winter you get the night sky with all of the stars," she said.
Her artwork "Solstice Dreamscape" includes a holographic cloud, twinkling stars and bright lights. It is a "celebration of the long winter nights and being able to see the stars and feel small in a big space."
Safeer hopes people can revert to childhood and feel like a little kid viewing the night sky when looking at her art. Her friend took her son to see the artwork, and he said he loved it because of the lights.
"That's exactly what I want," she said. "Can't we all just be 6-year-olds and be like, 'Oh, this feels magical. Look at the twinkling, bright stars.'"
This project has been exciting for her to work on, but halfway through, it felt a lot bigger and became "really great in like a fun-stress type of way," Safeer said.
She added that she loves how public art is for everyone and accessible to so many people. "That gives it more of a friendly feeling, like a community thing. It's sharing with my community something that brings me joy, and I'm hoping (it) brings you joy," she said.
