As a marketing professional, creative writer, and multidisciplinary artist, I’ve always believed in the power of storytelling to connect, inspire, and transform. This year’s Utah Arts Festival was a powerful reminder of how art and words can spark meaningful dialogue. I was honored to be part of it in more ways than one.
Featured Publications
I had the privilege of being published in two anthologies launched during the festival:
Both collections center voices that challenge, disrupt, and reimagine. Sharing space with so many compelling writers was a deeply affirming experience. I also had the chance to present my featured pieces from both anthologies during live readings, which allowed me to engage directly with festival attendees and fellow creatives. Stay tuned for launch parties on my events page once the anthologies are published!
Poetry, Art, and Music with Collective Tales
Another exciting opportunity I was fortunate to participate in during Utah Arts Festival was with Collective Tales Publishing. I was invited to share my creative work centered around the theme of darkness. I was honored to be invited to perform selections from past publications, including Collective Humanity, a collection that not only features my writing but also showcases my design work on its cover. The experience was deeply personal and resonant, as I wove together verses that delve into resilience and transformation. Sharing this work in a space that celebrates artistic expression allowed me to connect with others who find meaning in the depths, and it reaffirmed the importance of sharing our connected darkness as a source of creative light.
IronPen 2025: Honorable Mention in Poetry
One of the most adrenaline-fueled aspects of the festival was competing in the IronPen, an annual 24-hour writing competition. It’s a race against the clock where creativity meets constraint. No pressure, right? I’m thrilled to share that my poem, “Obituary for a Dying Art,” received Honorable Mention in Poetry.
This piece speaks to the tension between budget cuts and public programs, and it reflects my ongoing exploration of marketing as both message and medium. As someone who straddles the lines between business strategy and creative expression, I’m always thinking about how we preserve authenticity while navigating an ever-changing political landscape.
Merging Disciplines, Building Community
At its core, the Utah Arts Festival is about more than just art. It is about community and channeling creativity to support the causes we care about. Whether I’m crafting a marketing campaign, drafting a poem, or curating a visual piece, my work is grounded in storytelling. It’s about building bridges between disciplines and people, and this year’s festival reminded me just how vibrant, diverse, and essential those connections are.
Thank you to everyone who came to my readings, supported local artists, and made the festival a dynamic space for ideas and expression.
Stay bold, stay creative,
xoxo,
Michaela Rae
V. Studio 