Fice Gallery
“I tried to bring a little piece of the Lower East Side to Salt Lake City,” Corey Bullough said, reflecting on what first inspired him to open Fice Gallery back in 2008. Deeply influenced by the street art and creative culture of New York City, Corey wanted to create something he felt the city lacked - a space where young, emerging artists could be seen, heard, and supported.
Over time, sneakers became part of the Fice Gallery business model, not out of trend, but necessity. "They helped pay the bills," Corey noted, adding that they also formed a natural extension of the street culture he admired.
Raised in Utah and shaped by time spent traveling and doing seasonal work from Yellowstone to Colorado, Corey eventually landed in Salt Lake City in his mid-20s. With deep ties to the snowboard community - his business partner Laura Hadar was one of the first women snowboarders signed by Nike - creative peers surrounded him. The pair set out to build a platform for contemporary artists, one grounded in their shared commitment to creative expression.
From the very beginning, Fice operated with dual purpose: part boutique, part gallery. As Grace Lund, Fice’s gallery director, explained, “It has always been a priority to keep the art accessible.” There are no entry fees. Every show is free and open to the public. Art exhibitions rotate every two weeks, featuring everyone from global names to local artists waiting patiently for a spot on the wall. The shows have grown in popularity, not just because of the art itself, but because of the community Fice has cultivated.
Grace started working at Fice in 2022 after moving to the Avenues and looking for a job within walking distance. What began as a retail role turned into something far more meaningful. “Now I’m the gallery director,” she said. “It was the right time, the right place, and I love it. I consider myself a creative person, but I don’t have a designated art practice. Working this closely with artists is incredibly fulfilling.”
Under Grace’s direction, the gallery now hosts twenty-six shows a year. Many artists approach Fice directly; others are sourced by Grace and her team. “We’re booked a year out,” she said. “And it’s amazing to see the different crowds that stop in depending on the show. Some come for the artist, some just because they love Fice.”
Supporting the gallery is a tightly curated retail side. Fice is Utah’s only Tier One Nike account, allowing it to stock limited-edition sneaker releases that collectors line up for. Yet the sneaker culture has shifted. During the pandemic, resellers scooped up exclusive releases, driving up prices and making it harder for local fans to access drops. “Now we’re redirecting our focus to community events and art shows,” Grace explained. “That’s always been the soul of Fice.”
The boutique stocks more than just Nike and Jordan. Fice carries streetwear from brands like Carhartt WIP, Dr. Martens, ASICS, Salomon, and Vans, along with sunglasses, bags, and art books from publishers like Taschen and Beyond the Streets. Everything is selected with intention. Apparel and art are not separate concepts here. They live side by side, shaping the aesthetic and energy of the shop.
Some collaborations reach beyond the walls. Fice recently partnered with the Utah Jazz, commissioning local and international artists to reimagine the team’s iconic note logo. The exclusive merch was sold at the Delta Center, a testament to how far the store's influence now extends.
In the spring of 2025, the gallery featured a collaborative show by Gothsloth (Taylar Jackson) and Jake Sorenson. Taylar, who has long been connected to the Fice community, began her artistic journey while working next door at the pizza shop and screen-printing in the back at Copper Pallet. Jake, who lives in Paris, worked with her to create a vibrant, eclectic show. “It’s really special,” Grace said. “Taylar’s journey has been beautiful to watch.”
Through it all, Corey prefers to stay in the background. He splits his time between Salt Lake and New York, continuing to bring fresh ideas from the global art and streetwear scenes back to Utah. “It’s a beautiful juxtaposition,” he admitted. “New York inspires what we do here in Utah.”
Grace, now the heartbeat of the shop day to day, sees the mission clearly: “People come here for art. People come here for sneakers. But we hope they leave knowing we are more than either. We’re building a community, and everyone is welcome.”
