CURRENT EXHIBITS
SANDY BRUNVAND
Ecotone
On view in Halleck Bar Gallery until December 1, 2024
My art practice begins on the trail – typically on my favorite
portion of Bonneville Shoreline Trail in the foothills of Salt
Lake City, Utah. My repetition begins on foot. I often find
myself marking steps like a measure of music. Often, this is in
groups of four beats: One, two, three, four, two, two, three, four.
This rhythm made by my feet is the backbone to the experience.
It not only moves me through the space, but it is also the drum
beat that keeps me moving steadily. Since relocating to the SLC
Avenues and starting graduate school 25 years ago, I have hiked
this loop habitually. Hiking in the same area almost every
weekday is inspiring for me. In fact, I thrive on it. I’m greeting
old friends as I walk through the space: the rocks on the trail, the
tiny little soft leaves and Lazuli Buntings in the spring, the
humans and canines, and the ever-changing clouds are all
familiar. Lush and soft deep green grasses turn to dry, gorgeous
yellow late/mid-summer. Winter brings chill, bright white snow
and gnarly black branches that now come to the visual
foreground. This is where my subtle color palette resides, in the
black and white of winter. Perhaps this palette is an unusual
choice, however I find beauty in the stark value shift and
intricate detail. I recently began visiting other trails, as part of a
new habit, in Teasdale, Utah. Slowly I am getting to know a
secondary home base, walking the dog in an entirely different setting, with different plants, and different skylines. Trading the
northern flora and fauna for a red toned world of the high desert filled with hares, tumbleweeds, and so much more has been
fascinating. I’m finding new ways to expand my explorations of my personal Ecotone.
A new layer of conceptual exploration has evolved in my work in the form of Ecotone. The term Ecotone was popularized by
Florence Krall, an educator and nature lover. Ecotone is a transitional zone between two adjacent communities, containing species
characteristics of either, as well as other species occurring within the zone. An Ecotone is defined by the edges, where differences
meet, where diversity makes a stronger… space, ecology, community, or human. Krall also believes the term extends the metaphor to
social spaces: "Cultural ecotones are the pluralistic contexts out of which conflict and change emerge." Within my own interpretation
of Ecotone, I create transitional zones between different artistic approaches and media - between previous work layered with new
ideas on paper. This creates a subtle tension with conflict and adjoining rhythms contributing to a different cadence and resulting in
unique Ecotones within the work.
-Sandy Brunvand
LIZZIE WENGER
To Be Changed By the Land
On view in Barrick Gallery until December 8, 2024 Through flowing lines, shape, and color, my work studies western landscapes in acrylic on canvas. Guided by exploration, my own experiences in the outdoors influence my work with my creative process beginning in the moments I spend in the spaces I paint—rock climbing, mountaineering, and white-water rafting drive my own connection with the outdoors. From snowcapped summits to red rock canyons, I hope to create a sense of connectivity between people and places, encourage a sense of stewardship, understanding of human relationships with the outdoors, and the importance of responsible recreation ethics. -Lizzie Wenger
SANDY BRUNVAND
CURRENT EXHIBITS
SANDY BRUNVAND
Ecotone
On view in Halleck Bar Gallery until December 1, 2024
My art practice begins on the trail – typically on my
favorite portion of Bonneville Shoreline Trail in the
foothills of Salt Lake City, Utah. My repetition begins on
foot. I often find myself marking steps like a measure of
music. Often, this is in groups of four beats: One, two,
three, four, two, two, three, four. This rhythm made by my
feet is the backbone to the experience. It not only moves me
through the space, but it is also the drum beat that keeps me
moving steadily. Since relocating to the SLC Avenues and
starting graduate school 25 years ago, I have hiked this loop
habitually. Hiking in the same area almost every weekday is
inspiring for me. In fact, I thrive on it. I’m greeting old
friends as I walk through the space: the rocks on the trail,
the tiny little soft leaves and Lazuli Buntings in the spring,
the humans and canines, and the ever-changing clouds are
all familiar. Lush and soft deep green grasses turn to dry,
gorgeous yellow late/mid-summer. Winter brings chill,
bright white snow and gnarly black branches that now come
to the visual foreground. This is where my subtle color
palette resides, in the black and white of winter. Perhaps
this palette is an unusual choice, however I find beauty in
the stark value shift and intricate detail. I recently began
visiting other trails, as part of a new habit, in Teasdale,
Utah. Slowly I am getting to know a secondary home base,
walking the dog in an entirely different setting, with
different plants, and different skylines. Trading the
northern flora and fauna for a red toned world of the high
desert filled with hares, tumbleweeds, and so much more
has been fascinating. I’m finding new ways to expand my
explorations of my personal Ecotone.
A new layer of conceptual exploration has evolved in
my work in the form of Ecotone. The term Ecotone was
popularized by Florence Krall, an educator and nature lover.
Ecotone is a transitional zone between two adjacent
communities, containing species characteristics of either, as
well as other species occurring within the zone. An
Ecotone is defined by the edges, where differences meet,
where diversity makes a stronger… space, ecology,
community, or human. Krall also believes the term extends
the metaphor to social spaces: "Cultural ecotones are the
pluralistic contexts out of which conflict and change
emerge." Within my own interpretation of Ecotone, I create
transitional zones between different artistic approaches and
media - between previous work layered with new ideas on
paper. This creates a subtle tension with conflict and
adjoining rhythms contributing to a different cadence and
resulting in unique Ecotones within the work.
-Sandy Brunvand
LIZZIE WENGER
To Be Changed By the Land
On view in Barrick Gallery until December 8, 2024
Through flowing lines, shape, and color, my work
studies western landscapes in acrylic on canvas. Guided by
exploration, my own experiences in the outdoors influence
my work with my creative process beginning in the
moments I spend in the spaces I paint—rock climbing,
mountaineering, and white-water rafting drive my own
connection with the outdoors. From snowcapped summits
to red rock canyons, I hope to create a sense of connectivity
between people and places, encourage a sense of
stewardship, understanding of human relationships with the
outdoors, and the importance of responsible recreation
ethics.
-Lizzie Wenger
