When you think of people who are going to help solve the world’s problem — issues like poverty, injustice and pollution — you might not consider artists. But Stephen Goldsmith, local artist, urban planner and professor at the University of Utah, says artists and creators — those actively engaging with their imaginations — are in fact the best people to tackle today’s most difficult issues. Goldsmith will give a lecture on July 28 at 7 p.m. at the Salt Lake City Public Library’s City Library to discuss how creative thinking can come out of artist studios and shape more sustainable and equitable communities. In addition to creating environmental art such as the Seven Canyons Fountain in Liberty Park, he’s taught in the College of Fine Arts and College of Architecture + Planning for more than 25 years. He’s also served as director for nonprofits such as the Center for the Living City, which pushes for creating sustainable and equitable cities. The talk, part of the UMFA’s ARTLandish series is free and open to the public.

Stephen Goldsmith| 801-581-8255 |s.goldsmith@utah.edu