Artifice

Justin Shifflett is an award winning Chef in Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from the Atlantic Culinary Academy, Le Cordon Bleu in 2006. From there he worked his way up the culinary ladder from intern to Executive Chef working at several restaurants in Salt Lake City. He currently works at Stoneground Kitchen, as the Executive Chef, where he serves up delicious Italian food. Justin has always had a love for creating food to share with people. He feels that food is more than something you eat, it is a way to learn about the world around you and connect with people. For him cooking a meal for someone isn't merely about providing food to nourish the body, but about also creating an experience to be cherished for a lifetime. When he is not working Justin loves to spend time with his family, fly fish, play golf and grill over an open flame. His love of making food is also an important part of how he spends time at home. He loves to cook for his family, and before he had kids his friends (just kidding we kn

From the moment I got my first drumset, playing music is what I knew I wanted/needed to do with my life. I played as much as I could throughout school doing musicals, percussion classes, symphonic band, jazz band, etc. I played in several local bands of various genres, learning as much as I could. I turned down scholarship opportunities and was never interested in some mundane, complacent job. After high school, I found a new hunger and pushed myself harder on every level. I toured, did session studio/live work, filled in for music videos, was in a movie, did the soundtrack for the movie, and found every opportunity I could to make contacts and get myself out there. I had made some great connections from those years, which lead into me having the opportunity to claim the throne in a Las Vegas-based rock band. Otherwise was a band that I had been a fan of for a few years and had watched them blow up with their most notable song, “Soldiers”, which had gotten them signed to a major label and known internationa

I was born and raised in the great state of Utah, surrounded by natural gems like the Great Salt Lake and Zion National Park. I’ve spent my youth witnessing Utah grow and change, and I am an enthusiastic contributor to Salt Lake City’s blossoming art community as a Soloist at Ballet West. Over the past 10 years, I have obtained a Bachelor of Science in Human Development, a 200-hour Yoga Certification from Kripalu, and have studied with Scott Moore, Kim Dastrup, John Cottrell, Coby Kozlowski, Dana Regan, Jashoda Edmunds, Devarshi Steven Hartman and Anodea Judith. As a dancer and yoga instructor I aim to connect my body and consciousness to the point where I am always evolving, always surrendering to the present moment. I walk a path blazed by professional ballerinas before me, but I often stray to the road less traveled in search of balance. When ballerinas perform on stage we appear composed, elegant, and alert, but maintaining a healthy presence of mind is a daily commitment. I began dancing professionally i

My name is Marianne Seale. My love for flowers and design began as child. I grew up picking every bloom in my neighborhood to bring home to my mother. I've been designing professionally for over 19 years. I've worked for several flower shops and wholesalers, finished my Interior Design degree from Utah State in 2006 and worked for both residential and commercial design firms. When I'm not designing, I'm taking care of my three young children whom I love dearly. I also enjoy running, painting, dancing, traveling, hiking, waterskiing and sitting on a beautiful beach with the sand between my toes! There's nothing better than seeing the look on a brides face after perfectly putting her dreams together for her big day. It's such a magical moment that drives me to keep doing what I love.

Paul Williams is always curious if he is an artist or a story teller. But one thing he knows for sure, he’s a wanderer. He’s mesmerized by culture, wildlife, and earth & feels connected to all three. Barbegazi Outdoors (Paul's personal creative outlet and Instagram account) started as an experiment, & in many ways that's what always will be. Pleasantly, it became much more than originally planned. Paul deeply enjoys the amazing artists and adventure seekers he has met while curating his account. He has only two regrets: he can’t have coffee with all his Instagram friends around the same table & he doesn’t have enough time to craft daily art for his Instagram friends. In 2020 Paul launched Uinta Alycon, the rebrand of his formerly self-titled business. https://www.uintaalcyon.com/

Brandan is an actor and writer based in Salt Lake City. After graduating from the University of Utah with a BFA in Film & Media Arts, he's found steady work on-stage, on-camera, and on-paper for the better part of the last five years. He has worked with Plan-B Theatre, Hale Center Theatre, and Vavani Productions, among others, and has a small part in a Lifetime Christmas movie... but the peak of his career was in 9th grade, when he played Augustus Gloop in Willy Wonka Jr. www.brandanngo.com

Brad Overton is a multi-media artist known mainly for still-life painting in the contemporary and contemporary western genres. His other mediums include Sculpture and jewelry design. Brad also composes songs, recording and performing in Salt Lake City, Utah. Before becoming a full time painter in 2001, Brad worked in set design, furniture design and as a scenic sculptor. He has a B.F.A . from The University of Utah, emphasis painting and drawing. Brad is represented by Blue Rain Gallery in Santa Fe New Mexico, Altamira Gallery, in Jackson, Wyoming and Scottsdale Arizona, and by Julie Nester Gallery, in Park City Utah. His artworks can be seen in many private and corporate collections nationally and internationally. http://www.bradfordoverton.com/

Sister Molly Mormon is a Salt Lake City, UT drag queen and has become a well known and admired in the SLC drag and art Community. In 2019 she was crowned Miss City Weekly. She is the head Bitch and performer with Those Bitches of Club Try-Angles who perform the last Wednesday of each month, she produces a drag show once a month at Prohibition called Sacrament and Sin, and performs all over SLC. She loves the art of drag and works to create original and moving performances that are more than just a performance, but are a production. Raised in Utah and being raised in the Mormon/LDS/Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Molly was taught above all else to love one another and the values of family. These lessons still ring true in her mind each day, and although she no longer follows LDS teachings to this day, she is grateful to have taken something good from her past. As for her future, Molly strives to be a positive force for good in her community, a community that is her family. IG: @sistermollymormo

Bio: Sincere honesty and rooted introspection is what drives EJ Michels to write from the heart. 
 Playing piano since he was 7 and later catching an interest in singing and songwriting during high school, music has always been his outlet to express difficult emotions. Having experienced a closeted life until his 20s, divorce, and coming from a separated home, EJ’s intent is to channel negativity into something more cathartic. 
EJ is also a member of the Utah-native collective Foreign Figures. Insta: @whoisejm Website: foreignfigures.com

Alex Blue V is a Ph.D. Candidate in Ethnomusicology at UC Santa Barbara, and the 2019-2021 Thurgood Marshall Fellow in African and African American Studies at Dartmouth College. He was recently appointed as Assistant Professor of Music at the College of William and Mary. In his new position at the College of William and Mary, Blue will teach courses on race and music, sound studies, and hip-hop production, and will continue his research in the areas of sound, race, identity, and urban space. His dissertation is an ethnographic study of hip-hop in contemporary Detroit, Michigan, that explores narratives of death and dying and illuminates numerous ways the creation, performance, and consumption of hip-hop is used for spatial reorientation, identity formation, and other means in a rapidly-changing city. He also served as a Fellow in the 2018-19 Ithaca College Predoctoral Diversity Scholars Program, and has received a number of grants and fellowships in support of his research. Outside of his academic pursuits, A

Colin Hinton is an active member of Brooklyn’s creative music community. A drummer, percussionist, and composer, his music draws from the jazz and free music traditions of Henry Threadgill, Anthony Braxton, and Muhal Richard Abrams, as well as 20th century classical composers Messiaen, Scriabin, Feldman, and Grisey. He has performed in the US, Canada, Central and South America, and Asia, and has had his compositions performed in the US, Italy, and Canada. An active educator in the NYC area, Colin has taught at the City College of New York, numerous music academies, and runs a private teaching studio. He has given clinics at the City College of New York and the University of Toronto. Hinton studied drums with Ed Soph, Tyshawn Sorey, Dan Weiss, Ralph Peterson, and Ari Hoenig, and composition with Ingrid Laubrock, Tyshawn Sorey, and Eric Wubbels. He studied at the University of North Texas and City College of New York, completing a BFA in Jazz Performance and an MA in Music Performance with a focus in 20th ce

Described as “playing a mean guitar” (Wichita Eagle), William Flynn is a Kansas-based jazz guitarist and educator currently serving as Director of Jazz Studies at Wichita State University. William’s recent professional engagements include performances at the Overture to Overtown Jazz Festival (Miami, FL), the Charlie Parker Celebration Festival (Kansas City), The University of Central Oklahoma Jazz Lab, and The Blue Room (Kansas City). William’s recent releases can be heard on Armored Records and Artists Recording Collective. Widely respected as a leading educator in his field, William has presented and adjudicated at conferences and universities across the country. His educational writing has been published in Just Jazz Guitar Magazine, and he is the co-author of Mel Bay’s 2016 publication Jazz Guitar Duets. Additionally, William is the founder of @thejazzwoodshed, an educational Instagram account followed by thousands of users from around the world. William holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies

Kathryn Lachey is a singer/songwriter, pianist, bandleader, and educator from Chicago. With an equal appreciation for jazz, folk/country, and 60’s pop, Kathryn uses her inviting tone and playful harmonic approach to tell stories across genres. In 2011, Kathryn graduated from The University of North Texas with a Master of Music (Jazz Studies) where she was privileged to have held a teaching fellowship and studied with Paris Rutherford, Rosana Eckert, and other esteemed musicians and educators. Kathryn is half of the songwriting duo The Wild Rumors, formed in 2019 with her longtime friend and music collaborator, Josh Murtha. Halfway between country and rootsy pop with a jazz sensibility, The Wild Rumors delivers simple, beautiful, and lyric-forward tunes. Their debut album is set for release in 2020, if the world holds up.

Blake Casselman is a comic book writer, screenwriter, film producer, and teacher. He graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor's Degree in Film, and later earned an M.F.A. in Education. He is the co-writer/co-creator of the graphic novel, "Devil's Triangle" with Brian C. Hailes. He also co-wrote the award-winning dark fantasy short film, "Kiss the Devil in the Dark" starring Doug Jones ("Star Trek: Discovery" "The Shape of Water"). Many of the films he has written and/or produced have been screened in film festivals throughout North America. In 2012 he co-founded a film production company, Rare Legend Films, and co-wrote and produced the award-winning feature-length comedy, "Adopting Trouble" (available for rental or purchase on Amazon Prime). His short fiction has been published in a number of anthologies and he edited the sci-fi/fantasy anthology, "Heroic: Tales of the Extraordinary" on behalf of the Aaron Allston Foundation. Over the years he has taught screenwriting, film and story theory, and

Called “…one of the best male vocalists in the jazz world today,” by WCLK in Atlanta, Jeff Baker has quickly become one of the most significant talents in the next generation of jazz vocalists. His diverse musical recordings, exciting live performances, and infectious energy and personality have gained him accolades from critics and listeners alike. Baker has headlined numerous festivals and clubs, and has shared the billing and played with some of jazz music’s top artists including: Ray Brown, Gene Harris, Brian Blade, John Patitucci, Steve Wilson, Bobby Hutcherson, Carla Cook, Marquis Hill, the Yellow Jackets, Mose Allison, Kenny Werner, Joey DeFrancesco, Joe LaBarbera, Bruce Barth, Darrell Grant, Karrin Allyson, Nancy King, Henry Butler, Dave Frishberg, Gene Harris, Orrin Evans, Clark Sommers, George Colligan, Randy Porter and many more! Jeff has performed throughout the U.S., and has enjoyed performance engagements in central Europe and South Africa. His four critically acclaimed CD releases on the Or

Emily Hanigan is creatively drawn towards color, simple design, eco-friendly products, and art that gives her peace or makes her smile. She is inspired by other artists who have made it their goal to fearlessly take charge of their own creativity and life. Home design, playing the piano and comedy are also her jam. Hanigan started her art career as a college student and received her BFA in Art Education from Boise State University in 2011. She creates artwork that is influenced by her surroundings, individual perception of the world and specific life experiences. In exploring these elements, she is searching for a state of personal contentment. Each brush stroke and mark made is an extension of herself. Often utilizing layers, she examines the variety of ways we live and the variety of paths our lives can take. In her free time, you’ll also find her playing card games with her wife while their corgi-lab chills nearby.

Sean Hancock is a multi-faceted performer, award-winning actor and the creator of the award-winning comedy company, Recycled Minds. With versatile creativity, Sean's work goes beyond borders in film, commercials, theatre, sketch, stand up, spoken word and improvisation. In June of 2016, Hancock won Best Actor along with 3 other awards with his team for Make It Count, an i48 short-film that he later adapted into a one-man show, One Deep Breath, that debuted in January of 2017 for the Idaho Laugh Fest. He has studied at the world-famous Groundlings School of Improv in Los Angeles, CA as well as The Upright Citizens Brigade and Comedy Sports, and performed a monthly improv show at I.O. West in Hollywood, CA. He has been seen on the front page of funnyordie.com, crackle.com, revver.com and youtube’s comedy page for sketch. Hancock has traveled the world teaching and performing in over 10 countries including Edinburgh, Scotland at the world's largest performance arts festival, The Fringe Festival. Sean also f

Rachel Robison is a composer for video games, film, and other media based in Utah. She is also a singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and educator with almost two decades of experience. Her studies include media music and music recording technology at Salt Lake Community College, graduating with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Music Recording Technology in 2019. Rachel joined ATA Music Production that same year as composer and head of business development. At home, she helps run Utah Game Audio (a local community for game audio professionals) and co-hosts the Create Loud Podcast. She currently serves as an Advisory Board member and Assistant Communications Manager for the Game Audio Network Guild. Website: rachelrobisonmusic.com Rachel's Podcast: facebook.com/createloud

When I was a young boy I was obsessed with art. I was born in Florence, Italy where I lived for 7 years. When I hit high school I saw no need to pursue art and so I dropped it and got into other things. After high school, I got an internship with a film production company and started getting more into film. When I was 22 I realized that I wasn’t satisfied with what I was doing so I needed a change. I decided that advertising was a lot more exciting and chose to go to Miami Ad School and that’s where my passion for photography came in. At school, I had to rely on my own skills to produce print ads and online media. I had to convey a message and I didn’t want to just snap one shot and be done. I wanted to include a lot of different elements that told a story. That’s when I started getting into compositing. I realized that I could actually create the images that were inside my head. I never thought that was possible before. I became literally obsessed with ad photography. I would stay up every night until 2 or 3

Soprano Melissa Heath enjoys a varied career of opera, concert and recital work. Hailed as a “soaring, sparkling soprano” with “vivacious stage presence”, recent opera roles include Countess in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro and Micaëla in Bizet’s Carmen. Recent concert work includes Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem and both Mozart’s Requiem and Mass in c minor with the Temple Square Chorale and Orchestra at Temple Square, Handel’s Messiah with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and both Mozart’s Exsultate, jubilate and Barber’s Knoxville, Summer of 1915 with Sinfonia Salt Lake. With Utah Symphony, Ms. Heath has performed both Nielsen’s Symphony no. 3 and Handel’s Messiah. In November 2017 she was the soprano soloist with Ballet West in choreographer Nicolo Fonte’s world premiere of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. In 2018 Ms. Heath had the pleasure of singing songs of Messiaen and Schubert on NOVA Chamber Music Series’ season finale concert, and performed recitals in Seattle and New York. In 2019 she sang the role of