Raymond Jonson, Untitled, 1938, watercolor and gouache on paper mounted to board, collection of Andrew Mayo and Christina Gearin.
Courtesy photo |
New exhibit opens at Sun Valley Center for the Arts
As part of the new exhibition, “Western Light, Ecstatic Landscapes,” on view through Saturday, Aug. 16, the Center will present an art history lecture, “Enchanted Modernities—Theosophical Thought in the History of 20th-century Art and Music” with Christopher Scheer. The talk begins at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, at The Center in Ketchum.
Theosophy is a system of thought that unites religion, science and philosophy in an attempt to understand the mysteries of the universe. Synthesizing Western esoteric thought with Eastern philosophical and religious ideas, Theosophy draws on teachings of all of the world’s major religions, and had a significant impact on 20th-century art and music.
“A number of the artists whose work is on display in “Western Light, Ecstatic Landscapes” were deeply interested in theosophy and their work incorporated theosophical ideas about the connections between light, sound and color,” explained Courtney Gilbert, curator of visual arts. “The impact of theosophy on modern art and music is just beginning to be fully understood. Dr. Scheer’s talk will explore a fascinating moment in cultural history—a movement that in retrospect seems very ‘fringe’—Theosophists were well known for their séances and spiritualist sessions—played a tremendous role in shaping developments in modern art.”
Scheer is a musicologist at Utah State University and one of the curators of the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum’s exhibition “Enchanted Modernities: Mysticism, Landscape and the American West.” Among the artists whose work he’ll address are the composers Dane Rudhyar and Henry Cowell, as well as the artists Agnes Pelton, Emil Bisttram, and Raymond Jonson, whose paintings are part of the Center’s exhibition “Western Light, Ecstatic Landscapes.”
According to Gilbert, visual arts and music are naturally linked by Theosophy, which presents the universe as a system in which different colors and sounds vibrate at varying frequencies.
“This perspective led composers to experiment with new tonal systems and artists to create color charts that assigned symbolic meanings to specific hues,” she said.
The exhibit is Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays in July and August from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This new exhibition features three bodies of work: paintings from the 1930s to the 1950s by artists affiliated with New Mexico’s Transcendental Painting Group, work from the 1940s and 1950s by the artists of Northern California’s Dynaton movement, and Frederick S. Wight’s shimmering Southern California landscape paintings, made in the 1970s and 1980s.
Wildflower walk of the week
This week’s wildflower walk with the Sawtooth Botanical Garden is Thursday, June 12, and will be led by Lisa Horton of the Environmental Resource Center at a location to be determined.
Meet at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden at 9:30 a.m. to carpool. Please bring your own picnic and wear comfortable walking shoes. The outing is expected to last until 2 p.m. To make a reservation for the free experience, call the garden at 726-9358.
Upcoming Walks Include:
June 19 – Leslie Nelson’s cabin above Baker Creek: “Wildflowers in the Sawtooths”
June 26 – Diana Citret: “Wildflower Photography”
July 3 – Ann Christensen: “Wildflowers and Butterflies”
July 10 – Kathy Richmond: “Wildflowers and Mushrooms”
July 17 – Natalie Rose Ertz of Rooted in Nature: “Wildflowers and Wolves”
July 26 – Nappy Neaman of The Elephants Perch: “Wildflowers and Mountain Goats”
July 31 – Kelly Conde of the Sawtooth Society
Art in the mountains
The Sawtooth Interpretive & Historical Association will open the Redfish Center & Gallery at Redfish Lake Lodge on Friday, June 13. This summer, the gallery features several acclaimed Idaho artists exhibiting works ranging from photography and painting to woodworks and more inspired by the Sawtooth Valley and beyond.
The Redfish Center & Gallery is open seven days a week through Sunday, Sept. 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This summer’s exhibition of artists include:
- Painters: Will Caldwell, Joanna Botti-Baxter, Evelyn Phillips, Linda Lawler, Julie Hughes, Lois Allison and Pam Street.
- Photographers: Thad Gerheim, Steve Botti, Ed Cannady, Rob Hart, Eloise Christensen and Sue Van der Wal.
- John Beehler brings wooden bowls and Andy Spencer offers stone sculpture.
Opportunities to meet the artists and learn about their Idaho-inspired works will take place at monthly Scones and Scenery events at the Redfish Gallery on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 27, July 18, Aug. 15 and Sept. 5.
“All the artists’ works on exhibition at the gallery represent the spirit and inspiration that brings so many visitors to our area,” said Gallery Curator Tori Madsen. “It’s a wonderful display of talent, and it’s all for sale.”
The Redfish Center also provides interpretive programs throughout the summer, including nature walks, junior ranger programs, campfire programs, Redfish Lake boat tours and discovery stations. The Redfish Center & Gallery and its interpretive programs are free to all to enhance every visitor’s summer experience.
There are also programs at Stanley Lake, Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch and the Stanley Museum. The Sawtooth Association’s programs at the Stanley Museum will be open every day through Sunday, Sept. 7. The museum hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information on the Sawtooth Interpretive & Historical Association programs and membership, visit the newly designed website at www.discoversawtooth.org.
Galena Lodge to launch season Saturday
On Saturday, June 14, Galena Lodge will open its doors to welcome the community and kick off the summer season with the 12th annual Galena and the Trails Summer Barbecue from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The cost is $15 for adults and includes a fantastic barbecue prepared by Chef Don Shepler, beverages and homemade dessert. Kids 12 years and under are $5.
Proceeds from the event will help fund the annual operating costs of Galena Lodge. Galena receives no tax dollars for operation, so private donations are critical to ensuring its future.
Galena Lodge was saved from destruction in 1994 when the community rallied to buy the historic lodge. The effort resulted in $500,000 being raised to buy and renovate the building. The Blaine County Recreation District now owns and maintains the lodge with concessionaires Don Shepler and Erin Zell operating the restaurant, outdoor shop, yurt rental and other activities.
Visit bcrd.org or galenalodge.com for details.
Recipients named for fellowship
Megan Murphy of Hailey and Wendel Wirth of Ketchum were among the five Visual Arts Fellowship recipients for fiscal 2015 announced by the Idaho Commission on the Arts this week.
Fellowships are awarded to individual artists in recognition of outstanding work and commitment to their artistic development. Fifty-eight applications were evaluated by a panel of three out-of-state judges based on artistic quality and professional achievement. The awards are $5,000 each.
The Idaho Commission on the Arts is a state agency consisting of 13 volunteer commissioners from all regions of the state appointed by the governor to four-year terms. The commission, which offers grants, fellowships and services to artists, schools and arts organizations, is dedicated to making the arts available to all Idahoans.
