Artists Going Places
With world premieres, prestigious awards, and a Carnegie Hall debut, We’re catching up with four artists from the 2024 and 2025 Residencies and their where their works have ended up:
📍 TANZhAUS Theater Bern, Switzerland
This past May, choreographer Vanessa Cook's newest work TRAP premiered at TANZhAUS Bern to a full house. Poetically fusing dance, theatre, and trap hip-hop, the piece follows three characters wrestling with what gets them out of bed each morning—their “ikigai”. That question, and the piece itself, trace back to research Vanessa began during the Center's 2024 Artists' Residency in New York.
Vanessa recalls her early research at the Residency as “something special.” She’s even kept in touch with her cohort through a monthly video call where they discuss their ongoing creative pursuits. She was able to relay the piece’s process during one of those recent meetings. “It really feels like they accompanied me on the journey, in important, supportive ways,” she says.
📍 Carnegie Hall New York, NY
A choral music piece born out of the Center's 2025 Residency in New York is now back in the city filling one of the most storied concert halls in the world — and that’s a full-circle moment worth celebrating.
In June, composer David Jones' choral work For the Bird Singing Before the Dawnwas performed at Carnegie Hall as part of the In Harmonyfestival, produced by Harmony Productions and Choirs of America. The piece was selected by conductor Raymund Ocampo for the Linn-Benton Community College Chamber and Concert Choirs, who performed it as part of the festival's multi-day celebration of collegiate and community choirs from across the country.
📍 The Governor’s Mansion Salt Lake City, UT
Justin Wheatley received a 2026 Governor's Mansion Artist Award in recognition for his contributions to Utah's artistic life. Governor Cox praised Justin's paintings for capturing "the places and sense of home that shape us," and noted that his work as an art teacher gives young people a voice.
Justin, who joined the Residency in 2024, said he was “grateful the governor’s office recognizes Utah artists and grateful to be a recipient.” You can also see Justin’s work at an upcoming joint exhibition at David Ericson Fine Art in Salt Lake City, Utah beginning August 21st.
Support future works by LDS Artists – Explore the 2026 Residency Registry:
After a hard day’s work, artists retreat to their quarters with a gourmet dessert and a tailored discussion question to invite conversation. They close out each night of the Residency together talking, sharing insights, and bonding as artists. Artists have been known to chat into the long hours of the night during the Residency, and say it’s one of the most edifying parts of the experience.
This donation purchase sponsors one dessert for their nightly dessert dialogue. There are six available to sponsor. 🧁