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SALT LAKE CITY — May the Fourth (Be With You) has become known to "Star Wars" fans as an official day to drop everything and focus on Jedis, Rebels and Ewoks.
Downtown Salt Lake City will be filled with Storm Troopers and tribute art Sunday at the Urban Arts Gallery to celebrate the series.
The gallery will feature work from local artists who have created pieces that pay homage to the galaxy far, far away through a variety of medium: fine art, prints, sculptures and intricate paper art.
Cindy Ferguson is one of the featured artists, and her contribution is a pair of paper cut blasters.
“I wanted to do something that would say 'Star Wars' to people who knew it was from the movie but still would make them have to wonder where it came from,” Ferguson said. “I think I chose to do these shapes because when I think of 'Star Wars,' I can hear those blasters going off. So I researched 'Star Wars' weapons and found that I liked the shapes of Leah and Han's blasters the most. Then I learned that their weapons were just vintage guns all gussied up with nuts and bolts.”
Ferguson said she has been a "Star Wars" fan for years.
“And I always dreamed of growing my hair out long enough to make side buns like Leia, but it stops growing at a certain length and is too thin,” Ferguson said. “Wretched genes.”
The 501st Legion, infamous cosplayers who dress as Storm Troopers, will be on site to take photos with gallery guests, along with Darth Vader and R2D2. They will also be screening "Star Wars" from 12 to 5 p.m.
If fans can’t make it for the party on Sunday, they can check out the "Star Wars" art on display until June 15. On May 16 there will be another event at the gallery with a costume contest.
Curator Cat Palmer said she can’t resist the urge to celebrate May the Fourth.
“I will be geeking out all month,” Palmer said.
Local artists participating: Darrell Driver; Anthony Granato; Chris Madsen; Desarae Lee; Josh Tai Taeoalii; Timm Paxton; Kat Martin; Tia Sheppard; Joe Forge; Brittani Nay; Caitlin Hawker; Nathan Ferguson; Joseph Shelton; Emily Wood; David Habben; Joshua Flicker; Cat Palmer; Derek Dyer; Jackie Johnson Burns; Nestor Jimenez; Cindy Ferguson and Phil Cannon.
Urban Arts Gallery
37 S. Rio Grande Street
Salt Lake City, Utah
Tuesday - Saturday 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunday, 12 - 6 p.m.
Closed Monday
