Last weekend, Robert Redford hosted the third annual Redford Center/AFTA National Arts Policy Roundtable, a yearly seminar about arts and arts advocacy for high-powered players from government, the arts community and business. Co-chaired by Robert Lynch, who heads Americans for the Arts, the meeting generates action items for the coming year. In this year's session, the focus was on how art, in all its forms, "is a powerful driver for social and economic change," Redford said. Timely, indeed, given the current economic climate. Watch for or engage in the group's agenda in the coming year, which includes conducting research about the ways art can heal social and economic problems. And think, as the think tank did last weekend, about how to get that message out, says Robert Lynch. Visit his organization's Web site at www.americansforthearts.org and sign up for the e-mail list if you want to know more on a weekly basis.

Gearing up for the

legislative session

It may seem like just yesterday that the Utah Legislature met (excluding the recent and grim special session), but January is coming fast upon us. This month's Utah Cultural Alliance meeting focuses on "Tools for Being an Arts Lobbyist," with old-hand panelists Carter Livingston, Shirley Ririe and Jaycee Craven-Walker. The alliance promises advice for arts groups and artists about how to lobby on the Hill and offers a heads-up about upcoming issues. They'll serve lunch to members, but the general public is invited to attend and brownbag it. If you're concerned about arts funding in Utah, this is a good place to start.

Where » Oct. 14, 11:30 a.m.

Where » Utah Opera Production Studios' Black Box theater, 336 N. 400 West, Salt Lake, 801-718-9020, www.utahcultural alliance.org.

Two shows on immigration

There are several ways this week to explore how art can further the public conversation about immigration.The first is to visit Ken Sanders Rare Books for a reading and signing by journalist Charles Bowden and photographer Julian Cardona, collaborators on the newly released book "Exodus."

The second is to check out the exhibit "Invisible No More: Latinos' Dignity March in Utah," curated by Armando Solórzano and chronicling the 2006 immigration march in downtown Salt Lake City, on display at Weber State University.

When » Signing by Cardona and Bowden, Oct. 17, 6-9 p.m. during Salt Lake Gallery Stroll.

Where » at Ken Sanders Rare Books, 268 S. 200 East, Salt Lake City; 801-521-3819; www.kensandersbooks.com.

Also » "Invisible No More," Stewart Library, Weber State University, 3750 Harrison Blvd., Ogden. Free. For information, call 801-626-6706 or visit www.weber.edu.

Chock-full Salt Lake

Gallery Stroll

This month's Salt Lake Gallery Stroll deserves attention, as the event seems to be growing bigger, better and more energetic than ever.

This month's edition includes three new shows opening at the Salt Lake Art Center: a yearlong video installation series that begins with a provocative 2001 piece by Miranda July; the "ACLU at 50" exhibition; and "Utah Draws," featuring eight artists, including Adam Bateman, Susan Beck and David Edward Linn.

Catch the bus or walk to other venues between 6 and 9 p.m, including Phillips Gallery, which is mounting the slickly packaged 5X5 show. On display are works from Heather Barron, John Bell, Annie Kennedy and Dave Maestas, the artists featured in last month's Salt Lake magazine as a group "on the rise."

Also: "Art at the Main," at the Salt Lake public library, features a show of new work by Jerry Hardesty, whose personal story is as compelling as his work. Ater surviving two heart attacks and two stokes, he gave up corporate life to become a painter. That's worth a bus ride or a brisk, healthy constitutional to see.

Over at Palmer's Gallery (on West Broadway, not the one in Trolley Square), "Rock, Paper, Scissors" opens, a two-person show by Jody Plant and Marjorie McClure.

Art Access II presents the collaborative art of Brian Kershisnik and Joe Adams in "Brian & Joe Unframed"; subjects include "Cagney & Lacey," a nice blast from the past.

When » Oct. 17, 6-9 p.m.

Where » A map and list of participating venues, including Kayo, Horne, A Gallery, Finch Lane and more, is available at www.gallerystroll.org. For information, e-mail info@gallerystroll.org, or call Laura Durham at 801-533-3582.

Kudos to Zions

The New York-based Business Committee for the Arts has named Utah's Zions First National Bank as one of the 10 best businesses in the nation for its support of the arts. Over the course of the bank's 135 years, it has provided tens of millions of dollars to arts organizations in Utah and Idaho.

The BCA TEN awards will be presented on Oct. 30 at a black-tie gala at New York's American Museum of Natural History. Other winners include H&R Block and The Limited (clothing) Corp.

For the voyeur or

financier in you

Got pocket change? Not hit by the national economic crisis? Friberg Fine Art Inc. announces a live and online auction for the original oil-on-canvas painting "The Light of Christ" by Arnold Friberg, a depiction of Christ appearing to ancient American people, one of a series of images Friberg painted under commission for Adele Howell in 1950. The pre-estimate auction price is $700,000 to $1 million.

When » Preview for "serious art investors" Oct. 15 at 5 p.m., followed by the auction at 7 p.m. Prequalified bidders may arrange previews in advance.

Where » McCune Mansion, 200 N. Main St., Salt Lake City. For information, contact Rob Olson at 801-355-655 or e-mail info@salesandauction.com.