Park City’s Art Scene Is For Art Lovers
Text: Sabina Dana Plassé
The Park City art scene is hard to miss with new exhibitions, visiting artists, and scheduled events all summer long. This summer season, expect to be dazzled by new works from familiar artists and artists new to Park City. Park City galleries present photography, sculpture, mixed media works, master painters, glasswork, and more throughout the summer and into the autumn months. And don’t forget, Gallery Stroll is a great way to visit the galleries and meet some of the artists. On the last Friday of each month from 6 to 9 p.m., Gallery Stroll is presented by the members of the Park City Gallery Association and promises something for everyone. Here’s the Western Home Journal rundown of Park City Galleries and what they have in store for the summer.
Gallery MAR
Since 2008, Gallery MAR has presented fine contemporary art to Park City art collectors and lovers with an ever-changing array of works on exhibition and on site. This summer Gallery MAR presents “Solstice” featuring KOLLABS, Brian McGuffey, and Mary Scrimgeour. On Friday, June 27, the exhibition will open with a reception from 6-9 p.m. Gallery MAR will also feature a solo show by Matt Flint with an opening reception on Friday, July 25 from 6-9 p.m. The receptions are free and open to the public. For more details, visit gallerymar.com
Julie Nester Gallery
The Julie Nester Gallery will present three exhibitions throughout the summer including Tor Archer and Brenda Mallory, June 27 through July 22, with an artist reception on July 5 from 5:30-8 p.m. These artists have a very organic feel to their sculptures. Archer says, “I am inspired by direct observations of nature; the structure of branches, the view through a canopy of trees, the way vines intertwine, the weaving of nests, layering of sedimentary rock, erosion of cliffs, crystalline structure, the general way the natural world is formed.” Archer’s sculptures are created from copper and bronze and the hammering and patina process result in pieces that resemble tree branches. His finished sculptures looks as if they were constructed from organic material and have a look that is modern yet natural. Brenda Mallory creates three-dimensional wall sculptures primarily using waxed cloth, nuts, bolts, and steel. Many of her organic sculptures look as if they were alive, resembling a series of flower buds or cell structures.
The Julie Nester Gallery will present works by Chelsea James from July 25 to August 26 with a artist reception on July 25 from 5:30-8 p.m. About her work, James says, “Painting is a study of our existence, spirit, and environment, derived from experiences in life. I choose objects that evoke childhood memories, create situations of atmospheric mystery, and bring visual interest through interaction. I’m intrigued by subtle shifts in value and color; yet I seek a personal interpretation of the objects rather than a replication. Personality is revealed through the process of painting. Abstract remnants from my process remain visible in the final product. The hand must obey the spirit.”
And from July through August 26, Nine Francois will have an exhibition, which will include an artist talk on August 16 at 6 p.m. Francois photographs animals “very close” with a wide angle lens and frequently from below to achieve unusual perspectives. She’s not waiting to “catch” her shot as much as she is trying to manufacture it. “I do this by either cautiously dancing around with my subject to get him/her in my viewfinder,” she said. “Or I crouch motionlessly two feet away while quietly talking, coaxing, cajoling – I’m trying to cut a deal so I can get him positioned just like I want. In some ways, my approach in making these photographs is more akin to performance art and snake charming than to traditional wildlife photographic practice.”
For more information on these exhibits and the artists, visit julienester.com.
District Gallery
District Gallery presents a spectrum of traditional and contemporary works including ceramic, encaustic, hand-blown glass, mixed media, painting, photography, sculpture, and wind sculpture. An alluring collection of art from emerging and established artists allows District Gallery to offer many options for collecting or admiring fine art for all tastes. The gallery also presents works by an array of Utah artists. Visit districtartgallery.com
J GO Gallery
J GO Gallery presents emerging and mid-career artists with a nod to artwork that reinterprets motifs of the American West. Owners, former Phoenix Gallery owner Jude Grenney and artist and architect Curtis R. Olson, have a strong commitment to promoting contemporary artists who produce work with strong concepts, technical expertise, and aesthetic excellence. Through gallery exhibitions, art fairs, and off-site shows, J GO Gallery offers its contemporary audience many opportunities to discover the gallery and the artists it represents. For summer 2014, J GO Gallery artist Paul Vincent Bernard will participate in the artist paint-out on June 1. Watch an artist create and view Bernard at work under the pavilion in Miner’s Park. On July 13, the gallery presents its Sparkle & Bling collection at Silly Sunday Market where J GO takes its art jewelry to the streets at the Main Street Merchant Booth for the Silly Sunday Market. Also noteworthy, the annual Massively SMALL event will take place on July 25 with huge talent and small works by J GO artists and invitees. Wrapping up the summer, J GO will present new work by Curtis R. Olson on August 29. Visit jgogallery.com
Willie Holdman Utah Photography Gallery
Willie Holdman Utah Photography Gallery offers more than 25 years of original landscape photography and more recent works with new processes and approaches. Holdman says, “These images aren’t about the actual subject matter, but rather the mood, and blending shades of color that can only be captured somewhere between reality and fantasy. The process breaks down the clutter and simplifies the subject matter to pure color, shape, and form.” For a more contemporary and clean presentation, Holdman’s prints with his new processing are made by infusing dyes directly into specially coated aluminum sheets. Because the image is infused into the surface and not on it, images will take on an almost magical luminescence—no frame required. It’s a brilliant and impressive print. Colors are vibrant and the luminescence is breathtaking with unsurpassed detail and resolution. Visit willieholdman.com
Mangelsen – Images of Nature Gallery
Legendary nature photographer Thomas D. Mangelsen has traveled throughout the natural world for over 40 years observing and photographing the Earth’s last great wild places. Mangelsen’s love of nature was heavily influenced growing up along the Platte River in Nebraska with his family observing the great flocks of ducks, geese, and cranes that migrate through the valley. From these adventures, Mangelsen learned important lessons for photographing in the field, most notably patience and understanding animal behavior. From humble beginnings in Nebraska to becoming one of the most prolific and award-winning nature photographers of our time, Mangelsen has captured rare moments and vast panoramas during photographic adventures on all seven continents. From polar bears in the Arctic to vast herds of game on the plains of Africa and from the deep jungles of South America to the tigers of India, Mangelsen’s extensive portfolio includes several million images of wild animals and the Earth’s last great wild places with the finest selections released as limited edition fine art print collections. Mangelsen prints have been acquired by collectors around the world. Increasing in value and demand, Mangelsen limited edition collections sell out and prints are traded on the secondary market. Visit mangelsen.com
Terzian Galleries
Terzian Galleries presents contemporary original art from regional and national artists showcasing painting, sculpture, bronze, mixed media, jewelry, and glass. This summer, Terzian Galleries will present works by Angela Bentley Fife and Henry Stinson.
Old Town Gallery and Park City Fine Arts
Discover Old Town Gallery and Park City Fine Art where works by modern masters as well as emerging and established living artists are on display. Picasso, Chagall, Matisse, Miro, Renoir, Warhol, David Smith-Harrison, Furlow, P. C. Myer, Eric Lee, Richard Johnson, Asencio, Mark Yale Harris, Allen Lund, L. E. L, and Sandy Graves are some of the artists whose work are available to view. Visit oldtownegallery.com
Coda Gallery
For over 16 years, CODA Gallery has been known for its colorful, fun, and light-hearted aesthetic for art. With a healthy representation of Utah artists as well as artists from around the country, CODA is a favorite among locals and visitors. Visit codaparkcity.com
Kimball Art Center
At Park City’s Kimball Art Center, exhibitions, classes, workshops bring together the community, and with a proposed expansion, there’s more to come. “We have been residents of historic Main Street since 1976, and are proud to be a gathering place for such a vibrant community, “ says Robin Marrouche, executive director of Kimball Art Center. “In order for the Kimball Art Center to continue to provide the people of Park City engaging and enlightening art experiences, it is time to make some needed enhancements to our beloved building.” The proposed design will increase space for museum and art exhibitions and creates additional public meeting space, administrative offices, socials areas, and extra storage rooms. Once the proposed plans are approved, Kimball Art Center anticipates starting construction in 2015. Visit kimballartcenter.org