Material Art Gallery Announces New Leadership, Expansion, and Artist Shop in South Salt Lake
Jorge Rojas, Colour Maisch, and Molly Heller at Material. Photo: Marissa Mooney
In August 2023, artists Colour Maisch and Jorge Rojas embarked on an ambitious new venture: Material, a contemporary art space in South Salt Lake, Utah, that combines a gallery with working artist studios. In just three years, Material has become a vibrant hub for contemporary art, presenting 19 exhibitions featuring leading Utah artists alongside national and international voices. Highlights have included an exhibition of international ceramic artists presented in conjunction with the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) conference, as well as Grief Work, an expansive national group exhibition featuring visual, performance, and time-based works exploring the deeply personal and universal experience of grief.
As Material enters its fourth year, co-founder Colour Maisch has decided to step away from the gallery to devote more time to her art practice and family.
"Building Material with Jorge and creating deeply meaningful relationships with fellow artists has been a highlight of my career," said Maisch. "We've showcased the work of so many artists that I admire, and it's been a joy to curate exhibitions, foster meaningful connections, and see Salt Lake's community embrace our vision for what an artist-led gallery can be."
"Colour and I have shared studio space for over a decade, and Material grew naturally out of our friendship and our shared commitment to Salt Lake's arts community," said Rojas. "I am deeply grateful for her expertise, passion, hard work, and generosity, all of which helped make Material a welcoming and thought-provoking space over the past three years. While I will miss working alongside her in this capacity, I look forward to supporting her and celebrating her remarkable artistic career for many years to come."
Joining Rojas as the new co-owner and co-director is Molly Heller, who co-curated Grief Work with Maisch and Rojas earlier this year. Heller brings extensive experience as Director of Heartland, a multidisciplinary arts collective based in Salt Lake City, and as an Associate Professor in the University of Utah's School of Dance. Her background spans choreography, performance, curation, education, and community engagement. She is also the former co-owner of Tea Grotto and holds certifications in Pilates and Reiki.
"Colour and Jorge have created such a strong foundation in Material's first three years," said Heller. "I hope to honor what has been established and am excited to contribute to curating even more cross-disciplinary art experiences that continue to strengthen South Salt Lake as an arts and cultural destination."
Material itself grew from both necessity and passion. After years of sharing studio space, Maisch and Rojas sought a location that could support their own practices while also creating opportunities for other artists. They found that opportunity at 2970 South West Temple in South Salt Lake, where their studios have anchored the gallery spaces since Material opened its doors.
Alongside this leadership transition, Material will close temporarily this summer for renovations and expansion. When it reopens in late August, the gallery will feature additional exhibition space designed to accommodate larger projects and a broader range of artistic disciplines, including performance-based work.
The renovated space will also introduce a new retail component featuring a curated selection of original artworks, artist editions, handmade objects, and unique gifts at accessible price points. The shop will create additional opportunities to support local and regional artists while making art collecting more approachable for a wider audience.
"We're excited to welcome even larger audiences to Material and continue presenting exhibitions and experiences that uplift emerging voices, encourage experimentation, and demonstrate what is possible when artists lead the way," said Rojas.
More information about Material's reopening celebration and upcoming programming will be announced later this summer.
About Material
Material is an artist-led contemporary art gallery and creative space located in South Salt Lake, Utah. Founded in 2023 by artists Colour Maisch and Jorge Rojas, Material is dedicated to supporting emerging and mid-career artists through exhibitions, performances, interdisciplinary programming, and community partnerships. The gallery presents the work of local, national, and international artists while fostering meaningful connections through community-centered events, collaborations, and public engagement.
Beginning in fall 2026, Material enters a new chapter under the leadership of Jorge Rojas and Molly Heller, continuing its commitment to artistic experimentation, cross-disciplinary exchange, and cultural dialogue. Through ambitious exhibitions and innovative programming, Material seeks to create opportunities for artists and audiences to connect, engage, and thrive.
