Sorting Out Race Exhibit

The Leonardo is partnering with the Utah Black Chamber to engage our community in ongoing dialogue and programs to promote social justice and economic equity in Utah. Our first collaboration will be co-hosting an exhibit on the topic of race in downtown Salt Lake City.

Sorting Out Race is open to the public during The Leonardo’s currently open hours – Wednesday – Sunday 12pm-5pm.

Every day thrift stores across America receive donations of objects that display racial imagery— antique advertising cards, collectible salt-and-pepper shakers, vintage children’s books, and mugs with sports team mascots. Are these objects harmless reminders of historical attitudes or do they continue to perpetuate negative stereotypes about race? Should thrift stores sell these objects? Or should they be “sorted out” of the resale environment and discarded?

Sorting Out Race arose out of a desire to divert artifacts with racial content from thrift stores to an exhibit that would generate a healthy community conversation about racial stereotypes past and present in order to heighten awareness of our continuing struggles with race.

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Starting February 17th, The Leonardo will have new open hours. 1st floor exhibits only will be open from 12pm-5pm Wednesday – Sunday. During this limited opening, tickets are available for $5. To create a safe experience for visitors, masks are required and reservations strongly recommended. Please email admissions@theleonardo.org for all questions.