During the Renaissance, most artistic endeavors were commissioned by the church or wealthy families. Over time, as materials and education became more accessible, the relationship between artist and patron weakened: Artists’ works were dictated largely by free will; art for art’s sake, not for the consumer. And, with new and expansive genres over the past 50 years, a new, nontraditional pool of patrons has emerged, albeit sometimes unknowing of where to buy.
The Salt Lake Art Center is rekindling that relationship between patrons and artists in its second installment of Not Just Another Pretty Face. Throughout
the year, SLAC held nine salons where patrons mingled with 43
panel-selected Utah artists—Cordell Taylor, Lucia Heffernan, Laura
Boardman and others. Then, patrons ultimately chose an artist to
immortalize their dogs, themselves or other significant things in their
lives using a variety of mediums. This exhibit will display 35 pieces,
while others are still in progress. If NJAPF inspires folks’ inner
art-collector, they can join the process in 2010.
Not Just Another Pretty Face @ Salt Lake Art Center, 20 S. W Temple, 801-328-4201, through June 24. SLArtCenter.org