One of Salt Lake City’s oldest continuing community services agencies is about to become a new beneficiary of the same creative forces behind the well-known 337 Project, the abandoned downtown office stucco building that Adam Price and his wife, Dessi, gave as a large-scale temporary canvas to local artists.

The 337 Project’s Urban Gallery will comprise eight site-specific paintings – the largest being approximately 12 feet high and 20 feet wide – that will be “hung” inside the frames of the garage doors at Neighborhood House. The installation also will include two sculptural pieces and a wood panel for interior display. The installation will be unveiled Oct. 3 at 7 p.m. by Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon.

Works displayed at Neighborhood House, a 114-year-old organization currently located at 1050 W. 500 S., will be periodically painted over by new artists, according to Price, who adds the gallery will remain “a vibrant landmark for years to come.” The installation also marks the 30th anniversary of the Neighborhood House’s adult day service program.

At least 11 artists will contribute original work for the first exhibit at this installation. “I don’t know if there is a theme that a visitor would be able to discern. The works are very diverse, ranging from a classic seascape in spray paint to a wonderful image of Captain Kirk of Star Trek fame,” Price explains. “Behind the scenes, however, I think the artists were united in their excitement to be creating something that would provide a great benefit for the community. Several of the artists have worked with the adults and children of Neighborhood House to create portions of their installation.”

Art is a critical component of the Neighborhood House mission – that has provided opportunities for low-income families and children to receive quality childcare as well as assistive care for adults succumbing to age-related diseases or the effects of a traumatic brain injury, according to Jacob Brace, executive director. “The Urban Gallery has a reciprocal benefit for artists and community and Neighborhood House just happens to be the venue,” Brace says. “I hope that the art endears the public in playful, educational and therapeutic ways. I certainly know that it colors our lives and draws out emotion and memories from our Neighborhood House clients.”

Price adds the latest project – turning a parking lot in the middle of a residential neighborhood into a destination that will attract people to see the work – fits perfectly the 337 Project’s larger goals. “I do think that, like the original 337 Project building, the event at Neighborhood House will be unusually accessible for the public at large,” he says. “And because of its accessibility, I hope that it will demonstrate that, under the right circumstances, art can become an anchor for the community.”

Brace agrees, saying that the art “colors our lives and draws out emotion and memories from our Neighborhood House clients.” As for the larger public, he sees the gallery installation as an important opportunity for the public to learn more about an organization that has been sustained since the mid-1890s and that the public may want to contribute in some fashion – volunteer, support art programs, give donations, become a board member or even work at Neighborhood House. “Quality and affordability, are of utmost importance to the families and individuals we serve,” he says. “Neighborhood House is just one home in this community – but we have the capacity and responsibility to support the community, strengthen the community and respect the community.”

For this event, the 337 Project solicited 67 proposals from participating artists, and a jury led by Dr. Lela Graybill of the University of Utah art history department, selected 11 pieces for display. The artists featured are Biroe, Ben Wiemeyer, Trent Call, Christian Arial, Sri Whipple, Joe Thomas, Margaret Willis, Caleb Workman, Wren Ross, Trent Alvey, and Jann Haworth.

Urban Gallery also is part of a larger event, An Evening of Art on the Westside, that will include a first-ever showing of the Bridges Over Barriers project inside the warehouse (155 S. 600 W.) where it is being fabricated, as well as a special opening by Captain Captain Studios (825 S. 500 W.). Westside cultural mainstays Mestizo Coffee House (631 W. North Temple) and Art Access (230 S. 500 W.) also will be involved. These venues will be open Oct. 3 between 6 and 9 p.m.

For more information about the 337 Project, see here, and for more information about the Neighborhood House, see here.