EPHRAIM — Granary Arts is set to host a groundbreaking initiative called CRITICAL GROUND, which aims to redefine the dialogue of art critique by shifting the focus to communities and artists operating outside the traditional frameworks of major art hubs like New York City and Los Angeles. This experimental venture intends to create a platform and space for this conversation right here in Utah, while also serving as a model for other like-minded places across the country.

CRITICAL GROUND seeks to explore the impact of art criticism and the democratization of art critique by facilitating the sharing of ideas and experiences. The objective is to map an alternative way forward that is more inclusive of the diverse range of artistic work created across the nation.

The day-long event will consist of a series of conversations and brainstorming sessions involving visiting critics, artists, curators, writers, and other stakeholders from the region. Through both formal discussions and informal exchanges, this gathering will serve as a space where strategic thinking converges with creative action, aiming to challenge the existing hierarchical framework of art critique and shine a spotlight on work produced beyond metropolitan centers.

This professional gathering of key stakeholders in the western region will be closely followed on social media through hashtags #CriticalGround and #GranaryArts.

The event will feature a lineup of esteemed contributors, including:

• Shana Nys Dambrot, an art critic, curator, and author based in Downtown LA. She serves as the Arts Editor for the L.A. Weekly and contributes to various culture publications. With extensive experience in the field, Dambrot has garnered numerous accolades, including the 2022 Mozaik Future Art Writers Prize and the 2022 Rabkin Prize for Art Criticism.
• Scotti Hill, a Utah-based arts journalist, critic, and lawyer. Hill has written for publications such as Hyperallergic, Deseret News, New Art Examiner, and the Center for Art Law. Her insights bring a local perspective to the conversation.
• Steve Jansen, the news editor at Southwest Contemporary and an investigative news reporter and arts writer based in Albuquerque. Jansen’s work has received recognition and nominations for various awards, and he has contributed to publications like Hyperallergic and The New York Times.
• Hikmet Sidney Loe, a part-time instructor in art history at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Loe is an accomplished writer and curator, known for her expertise in exploring the concept of place. She has authored books on Robert Smithson’s Earthwork and is currently writing about Nancy Holt’s work.
• Alexander Ortega, an arts journalist and fiction writer based in Salt Lake City. Ortega’s work encompasses arts practices, investigating the rhetorical aspects of artworks and how artists communicate their ideas through visual media. He has also made a name for himself as a fiction writer, with his work published in notable literary journals.
• Lauren Tresp, the publisher and editor-in-chief of Southwest Contemporary. Tresp is committed to promoting empathy and critical thinking through arts journalism and cultural criticism. With a Master of Arts in Humanities from the University of Chicago, Tresp brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the conversation.
• Bianca Velasquez, a Salt Lake City native deeply involved in the arts and music community. Velasquez contributes to various publications and hosts the Localmotive arts and culture podcast. She is also an accomplished multidisciplinary artist.

CRITICAL GROUND promises to be a dynamic and thought-provoking event that challenges the status quo of art critique. By examining new perspectives and opening up dialogues, this gathering aims to pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse art community.

Stay tuned to the hashtags #CriticalGround and #GranaryArts on social media to join the conversation and gain insights into this groundbreaking cultural gathering.

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