Sorting Out Race Exhibit Overview
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.
Sorting Out Race was developed and is toured by Kauffman Museum at Bethel College in North Newton, KS. sortingoutrace.com
Exhibit programs
6pm – 7pm, doors open at 5pm.
The Auditorium at The Leonardo – 209 East 500 South – Salt Lake City
March 2 – A Culture, Not a Costume
March 16 – Stereotypes and Pop Culture
March 30 – White Privilege Explained – Register Here
April 13 – Systemic Racism: Healthcare, Housing, Education, the Corporate World – Register Here
Tickets are limited to allow for distancing and all attendees are required to wear masks.
All panels will be moderated by the Utah Black Chamber and are free to the public
Sorting Out Race Panel Discussions sponsored by: 
Corporate Talking Circles
If your company or business is interested in a facilitated learning experience to support your team’s DEI goals, please Click Here to learn more.
Sorting Out Race Field Trips
Field Trip Includes:
- Exhibit entrance
- Entrance to the rest of the 1st floor of the museum
- Talking Circles, a facilitated discussion led by Dr. Jackie Thompson to help students engage and discuss what they have learned
For questions about booking or how to book please email Jazmin May at jmay@theleonardo.org or call 801-531-9800 ext 103.
If you already visited Sorting Out Race, please help us measure the impact of this exhibit by completing this survey about your experience: