From its earliest days, Utah has been a haven of the arts. Noted historical Utah visual artists include Cyrus Dallin, Avard Fairbanks, Maynard Dixon, Arnold Friberg, Mahonri Young, and John Hafen. On this tour, we'll see important public art, visit Utah's oldest art museum, and experience visionary art environments.
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
At your Salt Lake City hotel
I'll pick you up at your hotel in Salt Lake City or another convenient meeting point in the city.
We'll begin our Utah art experience in downtown Salt Lake City where we'll visit a handful of important public art pieces including sculpture and murals.
Next, we'll stroll through a visionary art environment created by a master mason, Thomas Child. The collection of 12 stone sculptures in what was once his backyard showcase his devotion to God and his religion as well as to his craft.
Another visionary art environment, Allen Park is nestled along the forested banks of Emigration Creek in Salt Lake's Sugarhouse neighborhood. Created by Dr. Allen, this park today includes several examples of his mosaic poetry scattered throughout historic cottages. An avid bird collector, not only will this be seen in his mosaic art, but also when we find peacocks roaming the park.
We'll find a lovely local place to eat for lunch.
After lunch, we'll head south into Utah Valley to Utah's Art City, Springville. Along the drive, we'll drive right down Utah's tech corridor that stretches from Salt Lake City to Provo. We'll drive through downtown Provo with lovely architecture from the late 1800s and early 1900s that have been adorned with murals by local artists.
Our first stop in Springville will be the sculpture collection at and around the city offices that include works by several significant Utah artists such as Cyrus Dallin, James C. Christensen, and Dennis Smith.
Our last stop will be Utah's first art museum that houses a wonderful collection of historical and contemporary Utah artists as well as the largest collection of Soviet Realist art in the United States. Built as a W.P.A project in 1936-37, the collection began in 1903 with gifts from local Springville artists, Cyrus Dallin and John Hafen, to Springville High School.
I'll return you to your hotel in Salt Lake City or another desired destination from Springville and Salt Lake.
At your Salt Lake City hotel
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Guide fee
Hotel pick-up and drop-off in Salt Lake City
Transportation and fuel (during the tour)
Bottled water
Lunch
Admissions (if necessary)
Souvenirs
Additional personal expenses
For larger groups, an additional fee will be charged to rent a vehicle large enough for the group unless the group provides the vehicle. I'm happy to be a step-on guide for larger groups.
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended as we will be getting out and walking at several points along the tour.
I will have complimentary bottled water and snacks in the car.
Please note that times are estimates. Depending on availability and other factors, times and even access to locations on the itinerary are subject to change.
Also, this tour has possible add-on experiences including visiting an art glass studio with demonstration, visiting the BYU Museum of Art in Provo, visiting the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, or the Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts. Send me a message to customize the tour for you.
For larger groups, an additional fee will be charged to rent a vehicle large enough for the group unless the group provides the vehicle.
I'm happy to be a step-on guide for larger groups.
Hello! My name is Kevin. I was born and raised in Texas and have lived in Utah off and on for seven years. I've lived in four countries, including China, Australia, and Hungary, and experienced many other amazing places around the world. I love getting a glimpse into the culture and history of places I visit through their architecture, art, beliefs, and people.
Traveling has helped me better understand the value of a great tour guide, something I’ve worked hard to become. I've been blessed (or cursed) with a knack for remembering interesting facts and details. I channel this experience and information into my tours, so that my guests get more than a basic tour. By giving tours, I'm helping people expand their understanding and appreciation of diverse ideas to help make the world a better place.
Although a native Texan, my roots go deep in Utah, six generations back, to the pioneers who settled here in the mid-19th century. It is a beautiful and fascinating place. Utah should definitely be on your list of places to visit, not just for its natural wonders but also for its history.
Despite being raised on stories of the pioneers, I didn't fall in love with the history, places, and stories of Utah until I lived in downtown Salt Lake City as a young college student. That's when I began to explore the city's streets and neighborhoods, which led to an appreciation of the historic architecture and stories of people who helped make Utah what it is today. And, I began to learn how my own ancestors fit in to the fabric of Utah's story.
Utah has changed a lot since my ancestors moved here, growing from frontier settlements founded under the direction of a prophet to a tech hub drawing talent from around the globe to live within easy reach of outdoor recreation. I’d love to share the stories of the people and places that have impacted Utah with you on a tour of Salt Lake City or other nearby attractions. I am a member of the Utah Tour Guide Association, currently serving as president.
$595/ per group
Reserve