ARTS & CULTURE

Ogden Art Economics

BY RYAN SPELTS WITH JAKE MCINTIRE

Ogden is among a select few cities in the nation that have a Master Plan for Arts and Culture. This plan

provides a framework and road map designed to move the arts forward as a key element in enhancing quality of life, promoting economic development, enhancing education, and celebrating our community. Ogden is one of the top arts communities in the entire state of Utah and is celebrated for its contributions to the lives of its residents. Shane Osguthorpe says, “Art simultaneously reflects our diversity and builds our unity. The point of art isn’t to make everyone feel the same thing, but simply to feel something… and in a community as wildly eclectic and diverse as Ogden, art is absolutely essential.” This vision and the Master Plan are what guide the city’s efforts to promote art and cultural programs. The benefits of a strong arts and culture focus are manifold; however, one of the strongest indicators is that communities like ours, which place dedicated focus on developing a strong arts and culture community, thrive economically. In many cities across the country, where manufacturing jobs have dwindled, creative industry jobs have filled the void and become a massive economic contributor. Ogden is unique because we actually have a growing manufacturing sector and a thriving arts community, both of which are creating jobs and economic growth. What jobs come from the arts?

Here is a list of some of the most prominent jobs:

• Advertising • Architecture • App development • Craft and artisan • Creative sector research and development • Culinary arts • Education tech • 3D printing • Digital design • Graphic design • Industrial design • Production design • Planning design • Fashion • Film • Museums • Music • Performing arts • Photography • Publishing • Software • Toys and games • TV & radio • Video games

(creativestartups.org/creative-economy)

The Dumke Art Plaza is going to break ground

February 26 at 12pm. This plaza is located on the southwest corner of 25th Street and Ogden Avenue, directly east of the Ben Lomond Hotel.

Attend virtually: facebook.com/ogdencityarts

The US economy is projected to add 10 million more creative sector jobs over the next decade. Building a vibrant arts and culture community in Ogden provides opportunities for increasing creative sector jobs as part of the city’s economic development initiatives and places Ogden at the forefront of this boom.

It is not only the creative sector that will benefit. Richard Florida has released studies on how arts and culture benefit communities, and one of his biggest findings is that, in order for communities to thrive, they must attract and retain talented workers in all sectors. These selective people are somewhat picky with where they live. They prefer cities that have high levels of technology, talent, and tolerance. Ogden has a unique ability to be a leader in Utah for all three of those necessary attributes. Support for the arts comes from you, the community members. We hope you will not only support arts and culture but consider how you can contribute. Art has a way of connecting us all, and it defines our culture. As one anonymous Ogdenite said, “A city without art or culture is a city without a heartbeat.”

LOGAN IVERSON:

The Artist and Teacher

This Ben Lomond High School teacher has a deep well of knowledge and enthusiasm for teaching ceramics and sculpture. He loves creating functional artwork.

BY HAILEY MINTON

Logan Iverson’s dream job early on was to be an artist.

He imagined he would create 2D art and draw or paint, but his heart was won over the first day he stepped into his 10th-grade ceramics class. He has since built his career around that passion. Stephen Boehme was his teacher at Viewmont High school in Bountiful. Logan said working with the material is awesome, but being in a room with a talented individual that pushes your limits really makes a big impact. Mr. Boehme’s positive attitude made the students want to be there. Today, Logan is the ceramics teacher at Ben Lomond High school and also offers classes in his home studio to adults and children. “A lot of my teaching practices, demeanor, and classroom practices were inspired by my own experiences with him,” said Logan. Logan received the sterling scholar scholarship for a full tuition education at the University of Utah. He attended there and graduated with his Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree with a cross emphasis between sculpture and ceramics. He learned many different techniques in ceramics classes. In his sculpture classes, he experienced working with wood, metal, bronze, mixed media, wire sculpture, and resin casting, which really grabbed his attention. Throughout his time at the U, he worked at UPS and graduated debt-free. When he graduated, he intended to pursue resin casting to build a business in trophy making. At that same time, UPS offered him a more-than-full-time position in Ogden. He chose the UPS opportunity and studied to get his master’s degree from Weber State at the same time. He worked one class into his schedule each week for 6 years and again, graduated debt-free. He started teaching in 2016 and opened his home studio in 2019.

To back up to his early years, Logan really took advantage of the opportunities that fed his passion. He worked at his high school as a custodian in the summers, which gave him access to the ceramics studio. The head custodian there was the same head custodian at his elementary school and Jr. High. “He almost followed my class through the school district.” He let Logan work in the ceramics studio at the school until late in the evening and the custodians would come get him when they were ready to shut the school down. “I would sculpt for roughly 12-14 hours per day. I was super spoiled.” By his senior year of high school, he only needed two more English classes, so he spent the rest of his time in ceramics classes. He enrolled in the AP Drawing and Painting class and AP Ceramics class and passed the final exams with fives, the highest score you can receive. His sculpture he entered for the 3d life-size figure sculpture was on the poster for the AP National poster for the following school year. Portrait work was another artistic avenue that gave him experience. When he was in grade school, his grandparents commissioned him to draw or paint portraits of family members, and he found more portrait work as time went on. It wasn’t his favorite type of work, but there was a market for it. He has since shifted from 2d portraiture to 3D portraiture. He was recently commissioned to make mugs for a family with each family member’s face sculpted into their personal mug! He LOVES this type of work. In the last few years, he has shifted to more functional sculpture like mugs or bowls. He sculpts faces, skulls, gargoyles, and practically any type of face on the outside of mugs. His mugs are more than just a vehicle from which to drink your coffee, and more than a sculpture that adds value when you look at it on your shelf. You can find his work at the Monarch Bazar and Farmer’s Markets during the summer.

Take a Class with Logan!

If you want to experience ceramics yourself, Logan offers adult and children classes in his studio.

Cost: Children (5th - 12th Grade) $100 for 5 weeks of class Adult - $200 for 8 weeks of class @iversonceramics iversonceramics@gmail.com Call or text 801-510-6036

It’s Time to Snowshoe!

Beginners Guide to Snowshoeing

BY ANN PARK

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What should I wear?

A: The first mistake most people make is to dress too warmly. Snowshoeing is pretty hard if you’re going uphill, and you will work up a sweat. Dress in layers so you can adjust. Remember, the weather can change. If it gets windy, it will feel much colder. Don’t forget your gaiters. They will keep the snow from filling up your boots.

Q: Do I need to have poles?

A: They help with balance for beginners, and they also allow you to use more of your muscles to climb. But, if you don’t have them or don’t like to use them, you’ll be fine without poles.

Q: What kind of terrain can I walk on in snowshoes?

A: Almost any type. That’s the joy of snowshoes. Areas with lots of brush or uneven rocks under the snow are more difficult to walk in.

Suggested Trails

Beginners –flat or gentle slopes

• Bonneville Shoreline Trail

• Pioneer Trail

• Set track at the Nordic Center in Ogden Valley

Moderate experience - steeper terrain

• Coldwater Canyon Loop • Ben Lomond Trail or Lewis Peak

Trail (Start at North Ogden Divide) • Malan’s Basin

Advanced Trails • Ben Lomond Peak

• Cowboy’s Paradise

Snowshoeing Safety Tips:

Always dress for the weather, carry emergency clothes and supplies, drink plenty of water, and carry extra food. Be aware that if you climb up onto a ridge, it will very likely be much colder and windier than the rest of your route. Use the buddy-system and keep an eye on your friends. Watch for changes in the weather. It can be dangerous if visibility is suddenly reduced. Don’t get lost. Keep an eye on your location. Always make sure you have a safe route back to your car.

START WITH SHORT TRIPS AND EASY TERRAIN. GET USED TO YOUR GEAR, KNOW YOUR LIMITS, AND PROGRESS GRADUALLY TO HARDER TRIPS.

Avalanche Safety Tips:

Check the avalanche forecast in advance and avoid high-risk terrain (especially if snow conditions warrant extra caution). High-risk terrain includes areas that are steep, clear of trees, have lots of rock under the snow, or have signs of previous snow slides.

Here are some great local resources for more info and forecasts:

www.instagram.com/ogdenavalanche utahavalanchecenter.org