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Art at the Main will feature imaginative clay sculptures by Brent Hale in an exhibit titled "Artist Playing in Mud." The exhibit opens Aug. 13 and continues through Sept. 15.
Hale's clay creatures sometimes double as utilitarian vessels, such as coin banks, tea sets or lidded jars for special treasures. The artist draws inspiration from the babies of the animal kingdom, and then he infuses his sculptures with his own quirky point of view. When taking pottery classes at the University of Utah extension in Bountiful, Hale found he couldn't resist putting some type of animal character into nearly everything he made.
"They made people smile, so I was soon expressing myself by doing more sculptures," says Hale.
Hale's earliest memories of playing with clay are from childhood trips in the family car. His mother would give him a hunk of oil clay to play with and, when it got too hot and gooey, she would take the clay back and cool it off in the car's portable swamp cooler.
The artist's reception on Friday is part of this month's Gallery Stroll. For more participating downtown locations, visit http://www.gallerystroll.org/current.htm. —
'Artist Playing in Mud'
Imaginative, quirky clay sculptures by Brent Hale will be featured at Art at the Main.
Reception • Meet the artist during a Gallery Stroll reception featuring live music. Friday, Aug. 17, from 6 to 9 p.m.
When • Opens Monday, Aug. 13. Continues Mondays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.
Where • Salt Lake City Main Library, 210 E. 400 South, Salt Lake City
Tickets • Free; 801-363-4088