Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Drive to Solitude Mountain, Utah

BIG COTTONWOOD CANYON DRIVE TO SOLITUDE MOUNTAIN
The weather was perfect for A. Paul 's & my drive through Big Cottonwood Canyon to Solitude Mountain.  Along the way, the mountain began showing the signs of spring as streams flowed between the layers of snow, sports enthusiasts took to the road, and  exposed rock formations spilled to the road.  It was a picturesque drive and a visual display of the changing season for Utahns.

Even though the mountain was clearly in a state of emergence, there was still plenty of snow at Solitude. The skiing was fabulous with the snow soft under foot on this 50 degree day.  A. Paul & I enjoyed the sunshine, taking time to catch a few rays on the chairlifts.  

The warming weather is a reminder that our trip is rapidly coming to a close as we soon head home to gear up for our gallery season.  We have had such a great time and have experienced so many memorable events and met extraordinary individuals along the way. 

Tomorrow, we plan to enjoy our remaining day in Utah exploring the Museum of Fine Art in Salt Lake City before heading to Telluride, CO on Thursday. 

We continue to enjoy ourselves on our trip but I cannot close tonight's blog without commenting that we are not immune to the current affairs of Japan. The sadness over the losses of so many is in our hearts as I am sure it is for our readers.


DRIVE to SOLITUDE SLIDESHOW

Art in Park City, Utah

ART in PARK CITY, UTAH

The morning began with an overcast sky and light rain as A. Paul & I headed towards Park City for a day of gallery exploration.  Park City, Utah is approximately 40 minutes east of Salt Lake City in the Wasatch Mountain Range and beyond its superb skiing offerings, there are approxiately 20 galleries and an art center dotting its historic Main Street. 

 

Kerry & Thomas Edberg
Hope Gallery & Museum
artwork by Valdemar H.N. Irminger
(1850-1938)
Our first stop was in the Hope Gallery and Museum of Fine Art where we met Gallery Director Thomas Edsberg whose family has owned the gallery for over three generations.  The Hope Gallery  represents 16th to early 20th century Scandinavian and European master works by artists such as Durer and Bloch.  Many of the artists represented at Hope demonstrates the Edsberg family's dedication of bringing master artists works, that have mostly been overlooked during the Impressionist and Modernist Movements, to the public.  The collections offered are extensive and privately held by the family and in its 12,000 square foot facility in Park City, one of three locations in
Utah, is much more an intimate visit to a museum than gallery, though all  works are for sell.    You can visit the Hope Gallery & Museum of Fine Art at http://www.hopegallery.com/    Thank you, Thomas, for all your time, information, and enthusiasm for the artworld.

"Amor in the Lion Pit"
Valdemar H.N. Irminger
As the sun began to break through the clouds and rain subside, A. Paul & I continued our visits to the Terzian Gallery  http://www.terziangalleries.com/ , Mountain Trails Gallery http://www.mountaintrailsgalleries.com/ ,  Meyer Gallery http://www.meyersgallery.com/ , Gallery Mar  http://www.gallerymar.com/ , Coda Gallery  http://www.codagallery.com/ , Thomas Anthony Gallery http://www.thomasanthonygallery.com/ and District Gallery http://www.districtgallery.com/.  All which participate in the Last Friday Gallery Stroll.

L-R: Jane Riley & Minda Stockdale
Kimball Art Center Gallery
We ended our visit at Park City's Kimball Art Center where Studio Manager Minda Stockdale and docent Jane Riley provided insight into the activities of the art center.   Beyond its three exhibit galleries, the non for profit Kimball Art Center offers workshops to children and adults in various mediums with a complete ceramic studio, photography darkroom, and welding facility. In addition to these offerings, the Center also hosts artist talks and coordinates  Park City's Art Festival, a top major festival in the country.  You can view the Center's offerings and exhibits at http://www.kimballartcenter.org/

As we headed back towards Salt Lake City, the clouds began to gather over the mountain vistas with the sun finding its way through a break.  The result was breathtaking.  As we reached the valley, the sunshine was abundant,  promising a beautiful day for tomorrow's visit to Solitude Mountain for a bit of skiing.


VISIT TO PARK CITY, UTAH