The UMOCA (Utah Museum of Contemporary Art) annual gala is always reliably and delightfully indulgent. This year’s theme was Seven Deadly Sins, and the event was held inside the museum’s Main Gallery space. Guests were encouraged to match their clothing to one of the seven traditional vices, namely envy, gluttony, pride, wrath, lust, greed or sloth. A color was paired with each so that guests could display their favorite form of depravity.
The sins were displayed on the walls of the event in tall script, and UMOCA arranged for their own living display of some of the sins as well. Lust was embodied by a tall redheaded woman in a red formal dress, slinking around silently, winking indiscriminately at guests. Sloth was embodied by a young man in a blue shirt carrying around a pillow and laying down for catnaps in the middle of the dance floor or next to the line for cocktails. Gluttony had all types of candy pinned to his clothing, and wandered the party encouraging guests to partake of his delicious outfit. In case guests were experiencing guilt, a pope was on hand at a confessional for quick and easy absolution.
The proceedings included a silent auction for all types of art, much of it created by local artists who have participated in UMOCA‘s Artist-In-Residence program. Also auctioned were trips to Chicago, Austin and New York City. There were performances of acro yoga and dance, as well as more avant-garde displays such as a mock fight between two “servers” illustrating the sin of wrath. The Blended Table served delectable food including seared ahi served cold with savory black rice pudding, tobiko and avocado butter as well as roasted beet napoleon with spring pea jus, wheat berries, goat chevre crema and chili oil droplets.
During what is UMOCA‘s annual fundraiser, guests were able to eat delicious food, enjoy cocktails and mingle with Utah’s most devoted patrons of the arts, all while showing that Salt City residents love to sin.
Click images for captions
(L–R) Russell Huiskamp (pride) and Cuauthemoc Sandoval (pride) put plenty of effort into their outfits and are proud of it. Photo: @clancycoop
The living embodiment of sloth could be seen napping at various locations throughout the evening. Photo: @clancycoop
The living embodiment of lust was slinking around, winking at people indiscriminately. Photo: @clancycoop
(L–R) Stephani Widmer (lust), Ben Widmer (lust), Jason Foster (The Pope), Molly Mazzolini (lust), and Jason Fowler (sloth). Photo: @clancycoop
(L–R) Woody Cannon (greed) and Brad Hardy (greed). Photo: @clancycoop
(L–R) Angie Welling (gluttony) and
Emily McLaughlin-Tutton (gluttony). Photo: @clancycoop
Food was provided by The Blended Table. Photo: @clancycoop
(L–R) Elizabeth Brereton (lust) and Frank Kush (greed). Photo: @clancycoop
(L–R) Many groups coordinated their sins. Here, a group reps envy. Photo: @clancycoop
The Main Gallery at UMOCA provided an intimate setting for this year’s gala. Photo: @clancycoop
Acro yoga being performed for the guests. Photo: @clancycoop
The event couldn’t have happened without the UMOCA staff and volunteers. Photo: @clancycoop
A bird’s eye view of the event. Photo: @clancycoop
A mock fight visual performance piece, representing wrath. Photo: @clancycoop
Performances melded dance, acro yoga and acrobatics. Photo: @clancycoop
Guests watch as a performer balances above her partner. Photo: @clancycoop
Various pieces by local artists were for sale through silent auction. Photo: @clancycoop
Guests could bid on art by local artists. Photo: @clancycoop
UMOCA Executive Director Kristian Anderson opening the event with remarks. Photo: @clancycoop
(L–R) Charles Thorpe as “all of it” and Ryan Taylor (greed). Photo: @clancycoop
(L–R) Kim Sorrentino (lust),
Dee Brewer (gluttony)
and Portia Snow (pride). Photo: @clancycoop
The living embodiment of gluttony was giving out candy throughout the evening, encouraging people to indulge. Photo: @clancycoop
Lust found her way over to the confessional, where the Pope was on hand to offer absolution. Photo: @clancycoop
(L–R) Courtney Williams (sloth) and Tyson Call (sloth).
Fun was had by all while supporting arts in Utah. Photo: @clancycoop
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