Utah Dreamer’s Association: Dreamscapes

Ladies and gentlemen, a metaphysical force has slipped through the cracks of the dream world and taken root at The Gateway in the heart of downtown. Dreamscapes has a new location, new events and new quests to help you reignite your creative passion. Artistic Director and Executive Director of the Utah Arts Alliance (UAA), Derek Dyer and his team of dreamers have spent the last seven years curating an immersive experience highlighting local artists. This exhibit is perfect for those looking to inject some whimsy into their life young and old alike! Cozy spaces, secret corridors and mystical creatures may just have you lost in a dream for hours.

You’ve likely heard of Dreamscapes — they’ve taken on several iterations over the years in various locations. The idea was born in 2017 as a short term project until Dyer learned this could be beneficial to keep as a permanent installation. Dreamscapes’ most recent location was in The Shops at South Town, but they now have the opportunity for a homecoming right where it all began as Dreamscapes at The Gateway. The current location grants more creative freedom to the team, allowing more connection to the exhibit. “This space feels more expansive because you feel more immersed,” Dyer says.

With over 68,000 lbs of repurposed and upcycled materials that contribute to 90%+ of the space, every corner is packed with attention-grabbing art that is sustainably sourced and carefully placed to transport you into an other-worldly sci-fi/fantasy encounter. While you lose yourself in art scattered through the space, keep your eyes peeled for their new addition of seasonal side quests! This season, Bellua (one of Dreamscapes’ “Dreamies”) has placed over a dozen QR codes throughout the exhibit, each of which with a corresponding sonnet which when put together in the right way unlock a final secret that adds to the overall story written by the narrative designer and house poet, RJ Walker.

“This space feels more expansive because you feel more immersed.”

Dreamscapes isn’t just an opportunity to spice up your instagram (though it probably will with its photogenic nature), it’s a chance to explore the concept of the hero’s journey. Dyer, Walker and the entire creative team put countless hours into laying out the exhibit in the proper order to take you on an explorative adventure. They’ve recently started bringing a handful of DJs in to run silent disco style soundtracks for you while you explore the exhibit, allowing you the chance to switch between different music styles to personalize your experience. If you’re looking for an adults only exploration, Dreamscapes will also be hosting 21+ (non-alcoholic, leave the booze at home folks) times for people to experience the space in a more mature fashion.

Countless hours are spent building new pieces for the experience, and Dreamscapes would not be what it is today without the assistance of the community. Donations from local theatre companies, Habitat for Humanity and volunteer work from creative individuals like Izzy Beauchesne have been imperative to reaching its current form. Beauchesne began as a volunteer for Dreamscapes at 14 years old and has become one of their primary artists, as well as their current volunteer director. Dyer says, “We have utilized hundreds of volunteers over the years; everything with UAA uses a lot of volunteers.” You can feel the love and attention that the community has built around Dreamscapes.

“The dreams we’re hoping people walk away with aren’t ‘I hope I have a Ferrari one day’ but what we are contributing to the community and the world,” Dyer says. This exhibit is built to unite the community through art, and if you want to immerse yourself in the world of dreams and support the local art community, you can purchase tickets or sign up to volunteer at DreamscapesSLC.org, and be sure to follow @DreamscapesSLC on Instagram to keep up with their new events! This is a dream you’ll want to have again and again.

Read more about the artisitic worlds to discover in SLC:
Communal Grief and Joy in Trying Times: Molly Heller’s Story of Curation
Inside the Mission of Utah Film Center: A Conversation with Mariah Mellus