The Art of Death: Tour of the Sacred and Macabre at the UMFA
If you’re looking for the perfect Halloween outing, follow this guide through the Utah Museum of Fine Arts to see what’s on view in the vein of the morbidly beautiful and the frightfully fascinating! Maybe, if you’re lucky, you’ll make contact with the dearly departed.
Whether it’s picking up a paintbrush or taking the opportunity to draw, participating in the arts makes our lives healthier and richer. According to the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA), “Abundant evidence shows that arts participation improves the emotional well-being of older adults, supports good health, strengthens social bonds, and brings a heightened experience of purpose and joy to our lives as we mature.”
In 2022, an exciting project began at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts in collaboration with community partner Artes de México en Utah. The UMFA invited community members to visit the Ancient Mesoamerican gallery and share their thoughts on the space. Almost 50 people came to the first Transformación cultural: Nuestro pasado es presente meeting, from which a dedicated group formed to collaborate with the Museum over the next three years. This group of amazing people set to work re-envisioning the Ancient Mesoamerican gallery as a new space that reflects the richness of living cultures, identity, and the art of Mexico, Central and South America.
Inspiring Critical Dialogue and Illuminating the Role of Art in Our Lives
The UMFA is about more than objects—it’s about helping you connect in meaningful ways to great art and ideas, to the fascinating history of human culture and creativity, at your own pace.
No matter how young you are, what you know, or where you’re from, works of art are one-of-a-kind human creations that tell unique stories, evoke memories, inspire conversations, and open possibilities.
Find yourself here and explore the critical conversations waiting in the galleries.
Explore the galleries and permanent collection with docent-led, self-guided, adult group tours and more! Gain insight into your favorite works of art by scheduling a tour today.