The official Gallery Stroll for greater Salt Lake takes place the third Friday of every month, however it’s very difficult to see all of the art in those few extended viewing hours. There’s no time to stop and ask for directions so here’s road map to maximize your viewing time.

In the heart of the Broadway art and shopping district you’ll find the chic, but unpretentious Kayo Gallery. Owner Shilo Jackson has turned this once stark storefront into a refined exhibit space for up and coming artists. An up and comer herself, Jackson enjoys collaborating with and inspiring a new groups of local artists.

May brings Kayo Gallery and University of Utah Grad student’s together for a very unconventional and enlightening event. What happens when you give an artist 24 hours to brainstorm and execute a painting? Validating procrastinators, the work is surprisingly thoughtful and well executed.

The 24 Hours opening reception will take place from 6-9 p.m. on May 16 during the Salt Lake Gallery Stroll and remain on display throughout the month. Kayo Gallery is located at 177 E. Broadway (300 S).

SLUG may stand for Salt Lake UnderGround, but we’ve never drawn boarders. If a group is reaching out to our readers and “causing a scene,” then it’s SLUG-worthy. I preface this because our neighbors to the South are creating something so big they need to be applauded and supported by the SLC art community.

The Sego Art Center, located at 169 N. University Avenue in Provo, will host its inaugural event Genesis on May 2 from 6-9 p.m. The center will focus on contemporary arts with 1,000 square feet of gallery space on the main level, studio spaces and a sculpture garden. “This first show intentionally includes artists who embody the scope of future artists and artwork… All have been involved at one point or another in the development of the Provo art scene,” notes curator Jason Metcalf.

Nine artists (Valerie Atkinsson, Ruel Brown, Brian Christensen, Jared Clark, Jeff Larsen, Jared Latimer, Hyunmee Lee, Ryan Neely and Chris Purdie) have been selected to represent the diversity and caliber one we will continue to see from Provo. As the center grows they may include a screening area, possibly in coordination with the Provo Film Society.

The need for contemporary art and films is vast in that region and Sego will not only fill that void, but it’s also going to get this Salt Lake girl to Provo. My focus is usually on new exhibits and underground events, but the art collector/bargain shopper in me won’t allow me to close without mentioning the annual Art Access 300 Plates Show.

Several artists, too many to name, donate works of art done on old printing plates. The plates are then numbered 50 to 350 and the number is also the price! You can get amazing works of art by well-known artists for what you would normally spend on dinner and a concert! The plates are unveiled at the official fundraiser party which takes place on May 15, or you can check them out for free, drool over the items you could have purchased and picked up any leftovers on May 16 from 6-9 p.m. during the monthly Gallery Stroll.

Art Access is located in the new Artspace project at 500 West and 211 South. For tickets call 801-328-9868. Support local art!!!