The blues began on the plantations of the South, but it didn't stay there long. It is said that the blues is an amalgamation of Mexican guitars, Native American singing and African singing. It is often performed in a call and response manner, as it was first used to keep rhythm and bring a little joy to the lives of those picking cotton on the sprawling plantations of the Old … [Read more...]
Helper, Utah: a Diverse and Artistic Community
In 1881, the historic town of Helper, Utah, was born as a result of the arrival of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. The town got its name from the fleet of ‘helper’ engines that were stationed at the mouth of Price Canyon, ready and waiting to assist the trains on their way to Soldier Summit. With the steep grade of the canyon, the steam engines were unable to climb t … [Read more...]
Local Artist Carves Guitars from Stone
“Reading was the best thing I learned in school,” says Tom Grow, a remarkable self-taught artist and musician. Now 71, Tom’s curiosity and discriminating aesthetic render a story of humble happenstance and museum-quality work. As a young man in rural California, Tom knew a couple who were making a living grinding stones to sell to jewelers. “I was interested, so they told me … [Read more...]
Mojave Nomads
A love for rock ‘n’ roll spurred the formation of Mojave Nomads. After attending a concert, lead singer Tyler Harris and guitarist Colter Hill thought, “Why can’t we do that? We love rock ‘n’ roll too!” Drummer Cole Eisenhour had jammed with Colter back in high school and a call out on Twitter for a bassist brought in Bryton Bell. The summer of 2014 saw them writing songs tog … [Read more...]
At Look Back at Cosmic Aeroplane
When Steve Jones and his partner, Sherm Clow, opened Cosmic Aeroplane in 1967 they brought Salt Lake its first adyad shop. “Salt Lake needed a place where you could get cigarette papers and things like the Berkeley Barb the L.A. Free Press and other underground newspapers,” Jones said. Steve moved to Salt Lake City from New York City in the 1950s when he was 13. Bit of a cul … [Read more...]
A “Turn” for the Best
“Jesus in the Breeze” is one of many titled visual art pieces on display at the TURN Center for the Arts. The center, a program within SLC’s TURN Community Services, provides opportunities for creative expression for people who, as Program Director Allison Michel notes, “typically don’t have a voice.” Classes at the center cover dance, drama, music, writing and visual arts, and … [Read more...]
Bohem: Global Bridges Support Artists Abroad and at Home
When you enter Bohem, you have arrived at both a destination and an origin. At first glance, the State Street store may appear to be a straightforward, sophisticated boutique. In addition to offering unique, internationally-made artisan goods, Bohem is also the beginning of Adam and Chelsea James’ intent to create community connection. The cosmopolitan couple has created a s … [Read more...]
Leia Bell: The Princess of Poster Art
Leia Bell always knew she wanted to do art but she didn’t know how to make it a career. “Luckily, my parents were really supportive,” she recalls. “They didn’t tell me I needed to do some other kind of ‘real job.’” After graduating from the University of Utah with a degree in printmaking, her now husband, Phil Sherburne, suggested she start printing posters for his … [Read more...]
Foreign Figures: A Utah Band Reaching the World with Its Music
Foreign Figures isn’t your everyday band. They came together with a mutual desire to share their message of hope to the whole world. Lead singer Eric Michels explains, "We talk about bringing positivity, and that is important to us, but it's not like all of our songs are 100 percent upbeat and positive. A lot of the lyrics I write and some of the feelings you get from our songs … [Read more...]
Jeff Pugh, Continues Legacy of Art
“I don’t get the Sunday blues anymore,” says Jeff Pugh, winner of Southwest Art Magazine’s “Emerging Young Artist” award. “Now I look forward to Mondays, to getting to work again.” Jeff is standing in the middle of the modest 10 x 20 foot basement room that serves as his studio, office, and storage space, explaining how he decided 10 years ago to quit his full-time job as an IT … [Read more...]