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Utah Museum of Contemporary Art: Three new exhibitions launch this month at UMOCA, covering a wide range of media and subjects. Brooklynn Johnson's Messages from Fish (Jan. 17 – March 29) presents paintings using the metaphorical idea of images refracted from underwater to suggest the challenges of understanding and decoding messages in the world. The two-channel video installation Rotate Orbit Whirl Shuffle Dial Twist (Jan. 17 – May 31) by Maika Garnica (pictured) juxtaposes the sounds made by clay instruments with the ambient sounds of grasslands, providing a record of a unique site-specific performance that evolves in various permutations. And Antra Sinha's The Elements: Fire, Earth, Water (Jan. 17 – Feb. 22) presents clay pieces inspired by the drawings of Zen monks, incorporating the "root forms" of triangles, circles and squares. A joint opening event for the three exhibitions takes place at the museum (20 S. West Temple) Jan. 17, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
utahmoca.org
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Finch Lane Gallery: Two new exhibitions open and run concurrently at Finch Lane Gallery (54 Finch lane). Biodivergent: Visual Meditations on a Diverse Natural World by Utah-based artist Carel Brest van Kempen presents paintings celebrating diverse ecosystems, and the ways in which the natural world mixes with our modern existence in ways we don't always see ("Interface I" is pictured). Christopher Lynn's Copper Ouroboros takes a multidisciplinary approach to combining sound and copper materials to explore the legacy of mining in Butte, Montana. The exhibitions run Jan. 13 – Feb. 21, with a Gallery Stroll artist reception on Jan. 17, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Visit the website for additional gallery hours.
saltlakearts.org
Bountiful Davis Art Center: BDAC presents Joy Full: A Display of Wonder and Delight, a curated group exhibition of both established and emerging artists, dedicated to leading visitors on experiences of awe, happiness and discovery. Featured artists include Jason Lanegan, who presents handcrafted assemblages displaying childhood toys and treasures, whimsical quilts by Rosanna Lynee Welter and the large-scale installations of John Connors and Becca Clason offering giant-size pencils and towering flowers. Other participating artists include Marissa Albrecht, Barbara Nelson, Nicole Woodbury, Heather Olsen and Emily Hawkins. The exhibition runs at BDAC (90 N. Main, Bountiful) Jan. 14 – Feb. 22; visit the website for venue hours.
bdac.org
Modern West Gallery: The solo exhibition American Mythology by Salt Lake City-based artist Jerrin Wagstaff presents paintings and collages representing the artist's exploration into the work of 19th-century Romantic painters—including Albert Bierstadt—and their depictions of the American West. The pieces help examine the constructed "truth" and mythology of the landscape and American exceptionalism. American Mythology runs at the gallery (412 S. 700 West, Ste. 150) Jan. 16 – March 7, beginning with an opening reception Jan. 16, 5:30 – 7 p.m., featuring an artist talk at 6 p.m.
modernwestfineart.com
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"A" Gallery/Allen + Alan Fine Art: The group exhibition Love in the Abstract explores expressions of love in the broadest and most diverse sense possible, featuring abstract and representational paintings and sculptures. Participating artists include Brent Godfrey ("Hero" is pictured), Emily Robison and Jennifer Rasmusson. A Gallery Stroll opening reception will be held at the gallery (1321 S. 2100 East) on Friday, Jan. 17, 6 – 9 p.m., free to the public. Visit the website for additional gallery hours. agalleryonline.com
Urban Arts Gallery: The group exhibition In Focus showcases the art of photography, running now through Feb. 2. An artist reception will take place during the Gallery Stroll on Friday, Jan. 17, 6 – 9 p.m.
urbanartsgallery.org
Utah Cultural Celebration Center: The Glass Art Guild of Utah group show Bling in the New Year showcases handmade glass jewelry and decorative glass art by Guild members. The exhibition runs now through March 12 at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center Bridge Gallery (1355 W. 3100 South, West Valley City), free to the public during regular operating hours.
glassartguild.org
