The Cottonwood Heights Arts Council is currently seeking new members as they ramp up their plans to diversify local events in 2025. They are also looking for more opportunities to work with and support local artists, even those who are aspiring into the world of various multimodal artwork. 

Moving into the 2025 calendar year, the Arts Council will be working to provide hands-on art experiences to everyone in the community. They are hoping to further connect and collaborate with other communities beyond the city and the local artists as well. 

“We want to balance the community’s traditional and current interests. We try to keep events diverse,” said chair Laura Garcia.

One of the ways the Arts Council aims to balance traditional and modern art is through their free public art shows. Each month, a new local artist is chosen to showcase their work within the main hallways of the Cottonwood Heights City Hall (2277 Bengal Blvd.). Many different mediums have been included in the Artist of the Month series, including calligraphy, photography, painting and fan art. 

“It’s really catching on,” Garcia reported. “We are trying to reach out to more beginner and expert artists.”  

The December art show will aim to incorporate as many cultural traditions and winter celebrations as possible. In coordination, the Arts Council will be presenting a Christmas Concert where local acapella group Eclipse 6 will be performing. The free Christmas Concert will be held at Butler Middle School (7530 S. 2700 East) on Friday, Dec. 6, from 7:30 until 9 p.m.

The Arts Council has been working to bring art into the community in a handful of different ways outside of the Artist of the Month shows too. Eight electrical boxes have recently been wrapped with artwork by local artists. 

“We are thrilled about how the electrical boxes are getting a lot of attention,” Garica said.

All were designed by local artists who are, coincidentally Brighton High School alumni. They all worked for free – donating their time to create specific artwork appropriate for the local residents. They were tasked to incorporate Cottonwood Heights into their artwork in some way. 

Gracia reported all of the electrical boxes have been wrapped to protect against weathering and other harmful effects and should last for two to three years. The Arts Council will be deciding closer to that date if they want to change out the artwork every three years.

The Smartest Artist art-studio owner (and local artist) Whitney Horrocks worked with the Arts Council to paint a mural on a noticeably-declining public wall within Mountview Park (1651 Fort Union Blvd.) this year as well. The mural was also covered with a protective coat to keep the artwork safe from graffiti and vandalism that will last up to three years.  

Besides local art shows, the Arts Council hosts a variety of events throughout the year. A few that have been recalled as traditions from residents are the Sweetheart Paint Night, Chinese New Year, Painting in the Park and the Chalk Art contest at Butlerville Days. 

“Residents are looking forward to these Cottonwood Heights traditions,” Garcia said. 

Besides hosting their own events, the Arts Council works with other city committees and communities to establish their presence and provide local artwork. They attend city events like Monster Mash and Light the Heights. This year, Light the Heights will be held on Monday, Dec. 2. 

“There will be a chance for kids to meet Santa, do some crafts, see a performance by the Brighton High School Band and, of course, the lighting of the tree in front of City Hall,” said Cottonwood Heights Culture Coordinator Kate Hoflich. 

"We want to mix new events next year with the councilmembers talents and community’s interests,” Garcia said.

There are currently eight members on the Arts Council including Garcia, vice chair Ciara Powers, secretary Laura Howe, Cheryl Glenn, Emily Smith, Michelle Muirbrook, Susie Shi and Sirima Atikul. Supporting these volunteer arts councilmembers are Cottonwood Heights Culture Manager Ann Eatchel, Hoflich and Councilmember Shawn Newell. 

“We are always looking for more members and opportunities for collaboration,” Garcia said. “If you know people who are interested we are a really fun group.”  

To learn more about the Cottonwood Heights Arts Council, visit their website at: www.cottonwoodheights.utah.gov/community/arts/arts-council

Or follow their social media pages on: Facebook at @CHArtsCouncil or Instagram at @CHCityArts