Hi Finer Points readers! This past week while watching the leaves change colors, I've been reminiscing on the ArtsForce Career Trek I attended with my team, along with around a dozen other members of the College of Fine Arts, to get a behind-the-scenes look at the local gallery scene in SLC.
Just a 3-minute walk from President Circle, Finch Lane Gallery resides in its own quiet little nook across the road. Although it’s hidden in plain sight, what it has to offer is nothing short of inspirational.
As an ArtsForce intern, I had a pretty good idea of what past Career Treks had been like in terms of where students went, what they learned, and who they connected with. But, this being my first opportunity to join, there was a lot more to be gained from showing up in person than I had originally thought.
Todd Orberndorfer, Visual Arts Program Coordinator for Salt Lake City Arts Council and manager of the gallery, gave us a welcoming introduction to the shows that were currently being displayed, as well as his daily duties. He went on to explain that the pieces on display were deeply personal to the artists chosen for this program’s exhibition.
Stacy Philips, a painter based in SLC, focuses on mixed-media collage work in her exhibition titled “Let’s Get Personal: Faces of Humanity.” Walking around the gallery amongst fellow art students did indeed feel personal, not just as an artist looking to feel inspired by more traditional techniques, but as someone who loves learning more about individuals through less conventional methods. Throughout her life, Stacy has moved over 50 times, naturally feeding her curiosity for people, and in turn inspiring her processes.
As we moved to the west gallery, we were introduced to Cameron McLeod’s exhibition, “The Cricket’s Song.” The themes expressed in this body of work reflected the artist’s personal experiences caring for his father, who struggled with Parkinson’s disease and dementia in his final stages of life, and the feelings of loss and grief that inevitably arose from it.
Taking in the quiet atmosphere of the photographs, as well as writings from the artist’s grandfather who experienced a similar fate, I considered the toll it would take to watch someone so close to you slip away as a result of diseases that are so unforgiving. Cameron was able to poignantly convey the preciousness and fragility of human life across three generations by using this raw and sensitive medium.
These two exhibitions in relation to each other, through their understanding of the human experience and how our connections can be defined, demonstrate the careful decision-making required by Orberndorfer and other members of the council when putting shows like this together.
During the trek, Orberndorfer went on to share that over 150 applicants of all ages apply for each exhibition cycle to have their work displayed, and although he doesn’t always have the final say, there is always deep consideration in which works are chosen. The exhibitions cycle every 7 weeks, so every couple months or so, it’s definitely worth stopping by to see what’s new! 
After seeing the gallery, Orbendorfer gave us a more in-depth look into the SLC Arts Council and the programs they run. This ranges from festivals, to artist and project support grants, and even public projects beyond art and murals, like transit stations and parks.
Additionally, this non-profit arts council, with the help of a $1 million dollar grant only given to one of seven cities, has funded beloved institutions such as Spy Hop to help bring awareness to the environmental crisis facing the Great Salt Lake. Suffice to say, the SLC Arts Council is one of many organizations that keep the heart of our communities pumping.
Towards the end of the trek, Orberndorfer answered a number of burning questions from our team. Many of us were curious about what led to his career, and what he finds fulfilling about it now. In short, he described that what he does now, though it requires more organizing and planning than actual art-making, is practically his dream job, and the path to getting there took effort.
He highlighted the importance of applying for a lot of positions, even if they’re not exactly what you want from the get-go. In those experiences, he was able to get his foot in the door and become introduced to the inner workings of an industry that he would soon help run, and gain an understanding of exactly what they were looking for. Whether you’re submitting your work to a gallery, or dream of one day running your own, Todd Orberndorfer makes it clear that it’s important to be intentional when you’re chasing your dreams.
