Few things denote the commencement of the holidays like The Grand America’s window displays. The revered Salt Lake hotel, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, taps local creatives to dress its ground-floor exhibits in seasonal finery that delights children and adults alike. Interpretations of holiday magic are left in the hands of that year’s window designer but often weave together cultural traditions and storybook whimsy.
This year’s window admirers will enjoy the colorful designs of Park City artist Jonnie Hartman, who has named her collection Home Fur the Holidays. Hartman and her team began conceptualizing gingerbread dog houses and tail-wagging wintery scenes back in July. Once they complete the mock-ups, she and her elves hunker down in Santa’s workshop, where intricate sewing, woodworking, and engineering ensue.
Hartman, who has designed windows for Anthropologie and The Grand America’s displays more than a decade ago, employs the full breadth of her artistic toolbox. Mops are deconstructed and sculpted into tongue-lolling sheepdogs. Motors animate tails as a cat and dog reflect on an aurora-crowned December sky. In an age when mass-produced decor dominates shelves and AI-generated art drowns out centuries-old craftsmanship, adults will marvel at the painstakingly curated scenes. Kids will adore the four-legged characters named “Doodles Strudel Bakery” and “Dachshund Through the Snow.”
Artistic appeal aside, The Grand’s holiday window displays represent a community tradition for generations of Utahns. Always free, always warm, and always welcoming, the hotel has built a gathering space for all.
The 2026 windows will be on display starting Nov. 1. Ask hotel representatives about the new scavenger hunt app for a chance to win a free stay.
The Grand America
WHERE: 555 S. Main St., SLC
Follow Johnnie Hartman on IG @johnniehartmanart
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