Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
- Miriam Gutierrez showcases nature-inspired art at the Art Market at Millcreek Common.
- The event connects her and 17 other artists with the community, highlighting local geography and culture.
- Gutierrez emphasizes her Hispanic heritage in her popular wood-burn designs.
MILLCREEK — For Miriam Gutierrez, connecting with other local artists can be an eye-opening experience seeing what people from different areas create.
"I think it bridges the gap between the community and then the art where people get to actually see the artwork and have some sort of connection with it," the Layton artist said.
She loves seeing the diverse artwork all inspired by the same local geography, such as the Great Salt Lake or the Wasatch Mountains.
"I hope people feel that way when they look at my stuff and they see something that resonates with them. That's my way of connecting with the community, is through my artwork," she said.
Originally from California, Gutierrez has always been a creative person who was drawn to nature. She worked in a corporate job for about eight years before switching to art full time in 2021.
Her artwork, mainly fine-line ink drawings and illustrations, focus around nature, human anatomy and traditional Hispanic designs. One of her most popular works is a wood-burn design of a roadrunner.
Gutierrez is now one of 18 artists whose works are on display at the second annual Art Market at Millcreek Common. The booths and vendors of local artists are on display and available for purchase until Feb. 17 when the market ends.
The Art Market at Millcreek Common is designed to celebrate local artists along with other rotating popup markets the city hosts throughout the year.
"It really is about connecting community and giving entrepreneurs and new business owners and emerging businesses a place to launch and share their business with a broader market," said Lacy Gill, Millcreek's business development manager.
Each week, the artists receive a report from the city on sales of their artworks. Gutierrez said she has enjoyed having all of her art on display for so long and that it makes her excited knowing people are enjoying her work.
"I've been in a couple times to restock. It's in demand, so that's really exciting to show up and be like, 'Oh, I'm out of stock, I need to make more stuff!' The feedback has been great," she said.
Gutierrez hopes that anyone who purchases her artwork feels a connection to it. As she has grown in her artwork, she tries to connect more with her Hispanic heritage through designs based on Talavera, or Mexican tile patterns.
"I found a way to implement that on my wood burning and that's a way for me to also bring out my culture within my artwork," she said.
This art experience has been different from other shows where Gutierrez gets to interact with people interested in her art, but it's still been an "awesome" opportunity.
"People are out there supporting all the arts," she said. "I just really appreciate Millcreek Commons for allowing artists to display their work in such a way where we don't physically have to be there but we're still bringing artwork to the community. I wish more places did stuff like this.
