Lubbers gives the lowdown

As retiring executive director of Salt Lake-based Art Access/VSA Utah, Ruth Lubbers has had a mission to provide inclusive arts programs for Utahns with disabilities and with limited access to the arts. Southern Utah University's lecture series Art Insights gave Lubbers a forum to talk about her career, meeting the needs of the disabled and, of course, art.

When • Thursday, Sept. 1, 7 p.m.

Where • Centrum Arena, Southern Utah University, Cedar City

Info • 435-865-8800 or suu.edu/arts

Best books

The University of Utah's Book Arts Program and AIGA Salt Lake City present "50 Books / 50 Covers," the international traveling exhibition from the American Institute of Graphic Arts. The exhibition, considered the nation's most prestigious in book and cover design, recognizes excellence in book design and production.

When • Through Sept. 9

Where • Special Collections Gallery, Marriott Library, University of Utah

Info • bookartsprogram.org

Urban Gallery 2011

Mark it on your calendar — the annual Urban Gallery, sponsored by Salt Lake Art Center and the 337 Project, will be anchored this year by a collaboration of artists Benjamin Wiemeyer, Evan Jed Memmott, Gailon Justus, Mike Murdock, Richard Landvatter, Trent Call, Skyler Chubak and Sri Whipple. The artists will transform the garage doors at Neighborhood House, a center for social services to needy families, into a work of urban art. The free event includes interactive art, family activities, music and food.

"I look forward to seeing our children experience positive guidance, artistic play and a world of intriguing new ideas through the colorful images created by the artists," says Jacob Brace, Neighborhood House's executive director. "This event is a one-of-a-kind gift to the community and to our families."

When • Friday, Sept. 23, 3-9 p.m., and Saturday Sept. 24, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where • 1050 E. 500 South, Salt Lake City

Info • slartcenter.org, nhutah.org

African Art

"Africa: Arts of a Continent" explores the spiritual and political power of Central African masks, the magic and mystery of ancestral African sculptures and the enduring beauty of African objects used in everyday life.

When • Through Sept. 4

Where • Utah Museum of Fine Arts, University of Utah

Info • 801-581-7332

Art Access Partners Exhibition

VSA-Utah's Partners Artist Mentoring program matches adult artists with disabilities with professional artists. The mentors help the apprentice artists develop technique and connect them with the local arts community. The partnership ends with an annual joint show of the apprentice and the mentor artist.

When • Through Sept. 9

Where • Art Access Gallery, 230 S. 500 West, Salt Lake City

Info • accessart.org

Final Light, Doug Snow

In joint retrospective between the Salt Lake Art Center and the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, 35 large-scale paintings by Utah painter and printmaker Doug Snow will be exhibited. For a half-century, Snow painted Utah's redrock — Capitol Reef, in particular. Dueling receptions will be held Wednesday, Aug. 31, from 5 p.m. in the galleries.

When • Wednesday, Aug. 31, through Oct. 22 at SLArt Center and through Jan. 8 at the UMFA.

Where • Salt Lake Art Center, 55 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City, and Utah Museum of Fine Arts, University of Utah.

Info • umfa.utah.edu and slartcenter.org.

Money for art programs

The Utah Division of Arts & Museums is accepting online applications for Arts Project Grants to organizations of up to $2,000. The grants are to help groups develop arts-based projects, including festivals, exhibitions or innovative presentation forms, that advance the arts. Organizations accustomed to applying for Folk Arts Project, master and apprentice grants should now apply for Arts Project Grants.

Deadline • Sept. 15, 5 p.m.

Info • artsandmuseums.utah.gov, click on "Funding" then "Grants"or call 801-236-7550

Abstract thoughts

Lehi artist Ron Russon, known for his rural abstract paintings, has added some figurative work this year.

When • Through Sept. 10

Where • Utah Artist Hands, 61 W.100 South, Salt Lake City

LeConte Stewart's West: 'Depression-Era Art'

The Utah Museum of Fine Arts presents "Depression-Era Art," featuring work by renowned Utah artist LeConte Stewart. Two hundred of his paintings and other works on paper will be on display with themes involving isolation and loss during the Great Depression.

When • Sept. 11, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Old masters meet Old Masters

Marty Seiner will present weekly lectures and slides on the Old Masters — Leonardo, Rembrandt and more.

When • Thursday, Sept. 8, at 11 a.m.

Where • Mount Olympus Senior Center, 1635 E. Murray Holladay Road, Salt Lake City

Fees • Free