FINE ARTS

WHEN KATHY WILSON OPENED SEGO 3 FINE ART in Salt Lake City five years ago, she wasn’t just opening a gallery, she was creating a haven for the visual arts, where paintings and the history and connections they embody would endure. As a lifelong artist, teacher, and arts advocate, Kathy has devoted more than five decades to championing the role of the visual arts in shaping vibrant communities.

At Sego 3, each painting reveals a story, not only of the artist’s vision but of a broader truth: that art is essential to the life of a community. Kathy believes that without artists, musicians, and writers, a community loses its soul. “If you don’t have artists from past generations, you don’t have a chance as a younger person to grow from them in creative ways,” she says. “The visual arts not only preserve the authentic history of a place, they pass it forward to future generations.”

Her journey into the visual arts began with teachers who recognized and nurtured her natural gift for artistic expression. Today, Kathy strives to be that mentor for others, not only by exhibiting local artists’ work but by inspiring visitors to learn the importance of supporting original art.

She has also dedicated herself to the art of restoration. Whether she is piecing together a shredded canvas or restoring a color lost to time, she sees each project as a way of honoring the artist’s original voice. To her, restoration ensures the artist’s vision remains alive so it can continue speaking to new generations.

Kathy takes time with every customer, answering questions and sharing the story of a painting that has captured their interest. Her passion for educating others is rooted in her belief that purchasing original art is not only a gift to oneself but an investment in the future of the arts. Buying original work, she explains, stimulates the local economy, deepens community identity, and brings lasting beauty into everyday life. Most importantly, it ensures that artists — those who see the world with rare sensitivity — can continue to create.

“Artists notice everything — the shape of a cloud, the subtle colors of a sunset, the way light moves across the sky,” she says. “Their paintings aren’t just pictures. They are translations of feelings and moments.”

Through Sego 3 Fine Art, Kathy Wilson has shaped more than a gallery. She has brought to life an archive of stories and history — a place where the artist’s voice is not only honored and preserved, but carried forward into the hands and hearts of the community for generations to come.