The Salt Lake Gallery Stroll held its July 2026 event on July 17, featuring a variety of visual arts exhibitions across downtown Salt Lake City. The monthly event, which has been a staple for the local art community since its founding by the Salt Lake Gallery Association in 1983, offered free admission to the public as part of its mission to increase access to the visual arts.
Diverse Artistic Exhibitions
Participating venues for the July event included a diverse range of exhibits, such as Roland Thompson's pop art-inspired three-dimensional wall art toys at A Gallery. At Modern West Fine Art, the 'Year of the Horse' exhibition showcased works inspired by the symbolism of the Chinese New Year Fire Horse through various media, including sculpture, photography, and painting. The exhibition featured artists such as Shonto Begay, Michael Coles, Phil Epp, Jim Jacobs, Lenka Konopasek, Stanley Natchez, Kevin Red Star, Ben Steele, Billy Schenck, and Mike Whiting.
Other featured displays included the 'Dreamscapes and Whimsy' collection at Picture This!, where artist Grace Ilott presented expressive paintings inspired by nature and memory. At Brushworks Gallery, visitors could view new work by Tim Padilla, while Lanny Barnard Gallery showcased paintings by Utah artist Lanny Barnard.
Community and Themed Exhibits
The Finch Lane Gallery at the Historic Art Barn presented the exhibition 'In Deserts We Have Crossed,' which explored the dimensions of the desert through the work of artists Laura Hope Mason, Claire Tollstrup, and Elizabeth Sanchez. Additionally, Michelle Wentling's exhibition, 'Without Care,' examined the ecological impacts of industrial land use and mineral extraction in the American West through media such as quilting, beadwork, and papermaking.
The event also highlighted community-driven projects, such as the Gateway Mall's Art Shop Project. This initiative re-purposes vacant store windows to host temporary installations from local artists and students, a project the Salt Lake Gallery Stroll partners with to support the local visual arts scene.
Organizational Mission and History
The Gallery Stroll is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization funded by grants and sponsorships. The organization aims to remove social, physical, and intellectual barriers to art appreciation and to increase the international reputation of Utah artists.
While the event is held on the third Friday of every month, the schedule shifts to the first Friday in December. The stroll is a self-guided tour that allows participants to begin their route anywhere, though certain areas offer a higher concentration of galleries for those who prefer walking.
Accessibility and Navigation
The event is designed to be accessible to all visitors, with Visit Salt Lake noting that the stroll is fully wheelchair accessible. Because participating venues change each month, the organization provides a Google Map on its website to help visitors navigate the different locations.
