GLOW
DATES
Yearly, November - March
LOCATION
Gallivan Plaza
ARTIST
In Theory Art Collective
READ BLOG
The Story Behind Glow Art
Immerse Yourself
An immersive, day-to-night, outdoor art installation, the Glow Garden experience reminds us of the power and potency of light, beautifying Downtown Salt Lake City during the darkest season of the year.
GLOW is an invitation to explore and dwell in the Gallivan Center, a beloved downtown location initially created for the 2002 Olympics. As our Downtown population grows, these public spaces will become increasingly important to the quality of life in Salt Lake City.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
ARTIST STATEMENT
“Envision an awe-inspiring, fantastical landscape that transports you through the Gallivan Center - akin to renowned light festivals around the globe, but with a distinct local character. This experience weaves the theme of celebrating Utah’s rich natural and cultural heritage with the hope of inspiring environmental and social awareness throughout the artworks in the space.
Our goals are to create an alluring, exciting draw for folks to visit downtown SLC, to give them a fun and memorable experience of art, to cultivate a rich sense of place, and to inspire engagement.”
—IN THEORY ART STUDIOS
2024-25 SCULPTURES
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POLYCHROMA
A rainbow is created by the reflection, refraction, and dispersion of light by millions of water droplets, when sunlight hits these water droplets at exactly 42 degrees. Rainbows have appeared throughout religion and mythology over the globe and across history with many different meanings and stories. Polychroma is made from a dichroic film which uses the principle of thin-film interference to produce colors in the same way as oil films on water. Symbolically, Polychroma celebrates the beauty of human diversity. Community Diversity in Salt Lake | Cultures & Religions
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TREEHIVE
The beehive is an iconic symbol for Utah, with origins dating back to its pioneer days. Ecologically, bees are critically important species to Earth’s ecosystems, and are responsible for ⅙ of humanity's food supply. Many native bees are currently at risk for extinction, including the Utah-native Western Bumble bee. This LED sculpture features individually addressable LEDs arranged in the shape of a beehive. Through the interplay of light and form, the artwork celebrates the beauty of Utah's natural heritage while inspiring viewers to appreciate the vital role bees play on Earth.
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Columbine Clusters
Aquilegia scopulorum, or Utah Columbine, is a flower native to the rocky slopes, forests, and meadows in the mountains of Utah. Towering and majestic, these clusters of Utah Columbine capture the delicate beauty of the local flower. The illuminated benches beneath the sculpture beckon passers-by to pause, sit, and immerse themselves in the ambiance, celebrating the unique natural heritage of Utah.
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Fauna illuminata
These stereolithography 3D printed sculptures represent six threatened species of the American West: the Gila Monster, the Desert Tortoise, The Canadian Lynx, the Short-Eared Owl, the Black-Footed Ferret, and the Kit Fox. These glowing sculptures, nestled amidst a fantastical forest, serve as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance of our natural world and the urgent need for conservation efforts.
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koro loko
A billowing three dimensional heart made of thousands of dichroic plexiglass squares intricately woven together, koro loko refracts an ever changing spectra of color. While an airy, ephemeral structure, koro loko represents unconditional and boundless love, and was created in the memory of Wendy M. Nicolosi, whose light and love showed so brightly on the world.
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Prismatic Portals
Containing over 10,000 individually addressable LEDs, these portals are coded with a simplified JavaScript and projected with ElectroMage’s Pixelblaze technology. The Prismatic Portals invite travelers to summon their destination as they move in and through these mind-bending, color-shifting, swirling gateways.
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Prismatic Portals
Containing over 10,000 individually addressable LEDs, these portals are coded with a simplified JavaScript and projected with ElectroMage’s Pixelblaze technology. The Prismatic Portals invite travelers to summon their destination as they move in and through these mind-bending, color-shifting, swirling gateways.
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miri
From Elvish “jewel,” miri is a crystalline star that refracts a myriad of colors through its intricate geometric faceting. Looking impossible— otherworldly— the star harkens a spirit of wonder and magic, of dreams and hopes, and is an invitation to make a wish.
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You belong to the earth
This piece is a collaboration with Navajo Poet Laureate Laura Tohe. Laura Tohe is Diné. She is Tsénahabiłnii, Sleepy Rock People clan, and born for the Tódich’inii, Bitter Water clan. A poet, writer, and librettist, Tohe's work has been published in such journals as Ploughshares, New Letters, cream city review, Red Ink, World Literature Today and many others. Laura is Professor with Exemplar Distinction in the English Department at Arizona State University and is an Arizona Speaks presenter for the Arizona Humanities that awarded her the 2006 Dan Schilling Public Scholar award.
“It's been especially helpful in making downtown a place where my children can feel the holiday spirit and it creates a great reason to get outside. Visiting the GLOW Garden has prompted us to skate at the ice rink, attend the indoor concerts at the Gallivan, and visit a variety of the local businesses that we sometimes forget about in the winter.”
— Tom Merrill, Downtown Community Council
The art installations created by In Theory Art Collective require no previous arts education or experience to enjoy. These are not works hidden behind museum walls best interpreted by experts. Rather they are in the open, and can be experienced by young and old, no matter their previous experience with traditional arts. GLOW appeals to all walks of life, and the entirety of the exhibits are ADA accessible.
GLOW “adds an extra layer of excitement and cultural richness to their overall experience in Downtown Salt Lake City, making their visit even more memorable. Supporting free, all ages activities like Glow is a crucial investment in the long-term interests of the arts. It ensures that future generations will continue to value and support the arts of all kinds, enriching our cultural tapestry and contributing to a thriving downtown community.”
— Angela Vanderwall, Associate Director Salt Lake County Arts & Culture