Hot Shops Art Center
4.8(429)google
4.7(30)yelp
ArtCraft
Overview
The Shops at South Town, formerly South Towne Center, is a regional mid-scale shopping mall in Sandy, Utah, United States, located just east of Interstate 15 on State Street. The property, built in 1986, contains 1,300,000 square feet (120,000 m2) of retail space with 150 stores and restaurants. The mall currently houses multiple national retailers such as H&M, BoxLunch, Victoria's Secret, Hot Topic, Buckle and many more.
Practical Info
Mon10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tue10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wed10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thu10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Fri10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sat11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sun11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Suggested Duration2-3.5 hours
Best TimeVisiting on Saturday afternoons between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM during the cooler months (October to April) is ideal. This is the prime window to catch live glass-blowing demonstrations, blacksmithing, and bronze casting inside the massive industrial kilns.
Getting ThereLocated just north of the downtown stadium district at 1301 Nicholas St. Drive north on 13th St past Cuming St, turn left onto Nicholas St, and park in the complimentary lot surrounding the venue. Metro Bus Route 30 services the nearby 13th & Izard stop.
Travel Tips
- Open free daily (Monday-Friday 9 AM to 6 PM, weekends until 5 PM); the large on-site asphalt lot is entirely complimentary and features zero vehicle height restrictions, making it an optimal free parking anchor in the old north sector.
- The center houses over 80 active artist studios; when live high-heat glass blowing or blacksmithing casting demonstrations are running, visitors must remain behind safety lines and remove all loose synthetic scarves.
Photo Tips
Photo Rules
- Non-commercial photography is allowed without tripods or speedlights; however, because contemporary artworks are copyright-protected, close-up macro imaging mandates securing direct verbal consent from the artist.
Reviews
Positive
- A highly striking, living art factory! Visitors can watch glassblowers craft art before a 1000-degree furnace and blacksmiths forging iron up close.
- Housing over 80 independent artist studios packed with ceramics, sculptures, and jewelry; it represents Omaha's most authentic, deep artistic core.
- All working artists are exceedingly warm and friendly, happy to pause their craft to share the inspiration behind their artisan retail goods in plain language.
- Completely free to enter with convenient accessible elevators; far from commercial noise, it retains a peaceful, hidden-gem artistic aura.
Heads up
- Being an active industrial factory workshop, when glassblowing or iron forging is underway, noise can be quite loud, with minor dust and smoke odors.
- Because each studio booth is individually managed by its artist, public hours for specific single rooms can be quite unpredictable on weekdays.
- Sited on the edge of an old industrial block north of downtown, nearby side streets are desolate at night, and front parking spaces fall short during events.
- The custom handmade artwork and blown glassware are unique originals, making their retail price tags very expensive, less ideal for bargain shoppers.