urban arts festival

The Urban Arts Festival started with a small art competition that quickly outgrew its premise. “At the Urban Arts Gallery, we’d do an annual skate deck competition, and it became so big that we thought, why not do an event around it?” Kat Aleman is Utah Arts Alliance’s Manager of Marketing and Communications. She says the event, Urban Arts Festival, outgrew its initial expectations, too. “We asked ourselves, how else can we focus on skate and street and urban art culture? Over the years, it became this huge festival,” says Aleman.

The Urban Arts Festival now takes over the Gateway in Salt Lake City every September, and it’s Utah’s largest free community art event, drawing an estimated 20,000 attendees and featuring 200 artists, performers and musicians. Among the core elements are local car club exhibitions and the annual Lowrider Hop Off. Of course, “It’s still the Urban Arts Gallery and the skate competition is a focal point of the festival,” says Aleman.

The Urban Arts Festival is Sept. 2–3, 2023 at The Gateway, and it’s free and open to the public.

urbanartsfest.org

In the days where much of the shopping for home can be done from home, a place has to be pretty special to lure us outside. These home-design retailers aren’t just shops—they’re experiences:

Swoon is located along the main drive in the sleepy town of Santa Clara, and the new boutique is a decor-lover’s dream. Designer April Hickman transformed an old brick bungalow into a shop with a swanky vibe that takes hold the moment visitors step inside the entry, where a dazzling chandelier and a dark mural wallpaper deliver drama from the get-go. swoonhomeliving.com

Nancy Van Matre’s décor and lifestyle shop in St. George, Cosy House, is designed to help others create a welcoming air—with fresh, clean, timeless and comfortable style—for their homes. becosyhouse.com

The Garden Store is not only Salt Lake’s cherished destination for unique gifts, furnishings and décor for the home and garden, but it has also served as a beloved retreat, offering a happy escape and gratifying retail therapy. With welcoming spaces and inspiring displays, The Garden Store is curated with an approachable yet elevated aesthetic, enlivened with just enough whimsy to keep things interesting. thegardenstoresaltlake.com

Native Floral Company is a spacious, urban-style boutique teeming with fresh flower arrangements, bloom bundles, indoor plants, stylish vessels, gifts cards, candles, treats and much more. The open space also hosts classes and workshops for plant enthusiasts and floral hobbyists. nativeflowercompany.com octannerjewelers.com

For unique home décor, luxurious accessories and exceptional gifts, visit O.C. Tanner Jeweler’s Home & Lifestyle Department on the third floor of the flagship store in Salt Lake City. Highly curated, there are always new offerings from well-known and recently discovered designers and artisans. (The Park City location also offers pieces selected for mountain luxury lifestyle.)

Brad Mee

THE BEST SWEET TOOTH. According to our Instacart orders, Utahns are eating more sweet treats than any other state in the union. It stands to reason that we’re pretty good at making them, too. If you’re looking to satisfy that sweet tooth this summer, check out “Brain Freeze” on page 60.