More Art, Less Ads: How The Ruby SLC Is Using Ad Space to Showcase Art

Whether you’re taking a trip to the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art or picking up a print from a makers’ market at Copperhive Vintage, art appreciation looks different for each person. The Art, Not Ads series sponsored by The Ruby SLC brings art directly to the public through the pages of SLUG Magazine.

“I remember laying in bed one night and being like, ‘I don’t want to do these ads, what if we just did something else with them?’” says Cass Hallacker-Covaleski, owner of The Ruby SLC. “There was a painting of Taylar B. Jackson’s hanging right in my room, and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, she should do them.’”

The Ruby SLC aims to showcase talented, local artists by purchasing ad space in SLUG and using it to feature unique works in print each month. The works are featured on a half page space and can be cut out, framed, collaged or pinned. The goal is to make art appreciation and collection more accessible by offering SLUG readers an introduction to different local artists.

“I remember laying in bed one night and being like, ‘I don’t want to do these ads, what if we just did something else with them?’”

“I think Cass and I really only had a couple of hours to think of something, but I thrive on a very quick, stressful deadline. If I have too much time, I’ll freak out about it too much,” Jackson says on the process of creating Art, Not Ads’ first piece for this month’s issue. The idea for the piece comes from one of Jackson’s previous works done in a similar style. “I made a scene where people basically cut and collect and have a print of mine that isn’t $300,” Jackson says. Jackson was also inspired by the digital work of David Hockney – Jackson created the piece entirely on her iPad.

Covaleski says what she hopes to see most from this series is exposure. “Art is not just for whomever you think it’s for. Take it back for yourself, your friends, your house, your rooms, and build those relationships with those people in your community.”

“It is such a luxury to be able to just sit and be, and to appreciate beauty, emotion, sadness, grief. I touch on a lot of different feelings, so whoever wants to come and be in that room with me while that’s happening – that’s great,” Jackson says.

The Ruby SLC is an independent, design-forward, fully furnished townhome located in the heart of Central 9th that’s used for extended stays and curated events, filled with pieces by local artists — including Jackson.

“It is such a luxury to be able to just sit and be, and to appreciate beauty, emotion, sadness, grief.”

“Owning two properties somewhere is a privilege,” Covaleski says. “So the goal is just to say, ‘Okay, how can we now use this space to support – we have amazing retail concepts. We have amazing restaurants. We have amazing artists. We’re really lucky. How do we just use what we have at our fingertips?”

Covaleski plans to continue using The Ruby SLC to promote local artists while encouraging a sense of community. “One thing I really want to do is a series of dinners that are really intimate with artists,” Covaleski says. “An artist in a room talking about recent pieces and having a meal, having food, focusing on each other, talking about their experience. That’s something I’m really excited about.”

Other future plans include hosting artist residencies as well as materials grants raised from The Ruby SLC’s profits to help support local artists. Covaleski is currently looking for the next artist to be featured in the series; those interested are encouraged to reach out to The Ruby SLC. You can find The Ruby SLC at @therubyslc on Instagram and therubyslc.com, which also features a guide to all the work hanging around the property!

Jackson, also known as Gothsloth, whose work was recently featured in Vogue Australia, also worked with Nitro on their 2025 Mercy snowboard graphic (now sold out). Check out Jackson’s work @gothsloth on Instagram.

Read more of the creative minds in Salt Lake City:
“Growth Requires Sacrifice:” Bianca Velasquez’s “Prescribed Burn”
Rave Meets Runway: A New SLC Designer Redefines Modern Rave Wear

To help SLUG continue its support of up-and-coming artists, consider joining our community of donors!