Photo: Jason ManleyIn recognition of all the students returning to school, I offer a little Gallery Stroll education. Gallery Stroll is a monthly event when local galleries stay open later in the evening, typically from 6–9 p.m. for extended viewing opportunities. While I tend to focus on the Salt Lake Gallery Stroll, which takes place the third Friday of every month, other Utah cities celebrate their art community throughout the month: Ogden hosts a First Friday Art Stroll, The Sugarhouse Art Walk in Sugarhouse is on the second Friday of the month and Park City’s Gallery Stroll is on the last Friday of the month.This monthly event often marks the beginning of a new show, which we celebrate with artist meet-and-greets and light refreshments. It’s about connectivity in our community. People from all walks of life come out to the gallery stroll—the young, the old, the dressed-up and the casual. You like what you like, and it’s just a matter of opinion. The only hard rule is don’t touch! (Unless you see a sign that says, “Please play with the art.”)

For a complete list of where to go, visit ogdencityarts.org, facebook.com/sugarhouseartwalk, gallerystroll.org and parkcitygalleryassociation.com.

As for my Gallery Stroll plan, you can find me here:

The Central Utah Arts Center (CUAC) is a staple in my Salt Lake Gallery Stroll schedule. Under the direction of Adam Bateman and Associate Director Nancy Stoaks, CUAC is a fabulous small-scale art gallery that presents big ideas in contemporary art from around the world. September’s show features local artist Jason Manley and Denver artist Tyler Beard. While each have a distinct style, both men have chosen to focus on marrying concepts and mediums and to draw heavily on the use of language—both written and visual—to create their work. Manley is an Assistant Professor of Sculpture at Weber State University and recently moved here from Los Angeles. Manley uses words to construct objects and structures and utilizes a CNC router to create foam molds for casting concrete. The end product allows the viewer to feel like they are witnessing the building of ideas. Drawing inspiration from the formula of poetic haikus, Beard builds the art up and then retracts to leave space, allowing the viewer an opportunity to fill in the blanks. The opening reception takes place Friday, Sept. 19 in conjunction with the Salt Lake Gallery Stroll and will remain on display until Oct. 10. For more information, visit cuartcenter.org

Finally, I can’t let September pass without a plug for the Poor Yorick open studios. Twice a year, the studios open their doors for the spring and fall equinoxes to showcase their labor and have a party. This year’s big event will take place on Sept. 27 from 4–9 p.m. Over 50 artists will be on display, representing all forms of visual arts. Poor Yorick is located at 126 Crystal Ave. (2590 S.).

In order to take it all in, sometimes you have to stroll.