Frederick S. Wight, Sky Event, 1969, oil on canvas, courtesy the estate of the artist and Louis Stern Fine Arts, Los Angeles.
Courtesy photo |
Special tour at The Center in Ketchum
The Sun Valley Center for the Arts will host a special evening tour of their current exhibition, “Western Light, Ecstatic Landscapes,” on Thursday, July 10, at 5:30 p.m. This exhibition of 20th century U.S. artists opened on June 6 and will be on view through Aug. 16.
The tour—which will include wine—will be led by The Center’s curators and gallery guides. Th exhibition explores the metaphysical and spiritual use of light in paintings made in the American West. It 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.
Courtney Gilbert, curator of visual arts, said the tour offers a unique perspective on American art of the last century.
“A tour of ‘Western Light, Ecstatic Landscapes’ is like an art history refresher on 20th century art in the United States,” she said. “These works will give you a deeper understanding of some of the lesser-known moments in the history of the art of the last century, and perhaps most intriguing, the philosophies behind these movements.”
Tours are free and open the public. For more information, visit sunvalleycenter.org or call 721-1682.
Andy Frasco is in town
Crowd-pleaser Andy Frasco, the 26-year old Los Angeles-native singer, and his band of gypsies called “The U.N.” will perform for two nights, Friday and Saturday, July 4 and 5, at 9 p.m. at Whiskey Jacques’ in Ketchum.
His recent sold-out performances have been dubbed “Party Blues with a touch of Barefoot Boogie.”
Frasco’s shows can be described as infectious, entertaining, and feel-good. His performances are recognized as orchestrated chaos.
His new record, “Half a Man,” was recently released. Frasco worked with producer Charles Goodan of Santana and Beck fame. The singer says the record compliments his tour and is filled with raw, soulful songs.
The tickets for the weekend show are $8 in advance and $10 at the door.
Summer hikes guided by ICL pros
Summer is under way in Central Idaho and it’s time to get out and enjoy the mountains with friends and the Idaho Conservation League.
Upcoming is a hike Saturday, July 26, to Mill Lake with ICL intern Alisa McGowan.
On Sunday, Aug. 3, hikers can summit Grays Peak with world-class athlete Muffy Ritz.
On Thursday, Sept. 4, the hike goes to Heart Lake with Sun Valley Trekking owner and guide Francie St. Onge.
ICL members and the public are welcome on the hikes. Registration is required. Register by calling 726-7485.
ERC to host birding trips
The Environmental Resource Center is offering bird walks from early July through the fall.
Meet at the ERC office at 471 N. Washington Ave. in Ketchum at 5:30 p.m. beginning Monday, July 7, and continuing on the first and third Mondays into the fall.
Birder Poo Wright Pulliam will lead the inaugural walk of the summer. The only equipment needed is sturdy shoes, sunscreen and binoculars. The ERC has a few pair of binoculars to lend. These walks are suitable for people of all ages.
There is a suggested donation: $10 for ERC members and $15 for non-members.
Space is limited; register at 726-4333.
Gear up for garden tour
The Sawtooth Botanical Garden will host a tour of six elegant gardens for its 19th annual Garden Tour on Sunday, July 6, in Sun Valley.
The self-guided tour runs from 3-6 p.m. and begins at the home of Nancy Winton, 71 Lane Ranch Road East. Guests should check in there, where they will receive a map and Garden Tour program to help guide them through the afternoon.
Sawtooth Botanical Garden greeters will be at each garden, as well as a plant specialist to answer questions and an artist and musician for added ambiance. The day will conclude with a friendly cocktail party at 6 p.m. in the Lane Ranch Clubhouse where light refreshments will be served and music played for all to enjoy.
Tickets for the tour are $35 for members, $45 for non-members or $50 for an annual, individual membership and tour ticket. The cocktail party is free to members or a suggested $15 donation for non-members.
To make a reservation or ask questions, call 726-9358.
The Mosaic Project online for auction
Artists throughout the valley have donated an 8-by-8-inch original work of art to be installed in the Mosaic Project that will be exhibited at the Jennifer Bellinger Gallery, 511 East Fourth Street in Ketchum from July 4-13.
The artworks will be auctioned online to the highest bidders with proceeds benefiting the nonprofit Wood River Valley Studio Tour.
The public is invited to attend the Friday, July 11, reception and celebration from 5-8 p.m. at the studio during the Sun Valley Gallery Association Gallery Walk.
The tour will be held on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27-28.
Major funding received by Summer Symphony
The Sun Valley Summer Symphony has recently accepted a combined contribution of $14,000 from US Bank and US Bancorp Foundation in support of the 2014 concert season.
The funding comes in the symphony’s 30th anniversary season. It was founded in 1985 with 22 artists. The symphony has grown to be the largest privately funded, free-admission symphony in America, and has grown to include more than 100 artists, presenting free concerts to more than 50,000 people annually.
“The symphony contributes so much to life here in the Wood River Valley, from their work with local schools to bringing world-renowned artists to our valley,” said Jackie Cole, a member of the Ketchum Private Client Group at US Bank. “US Bank is committed to involvement in our vibrant community.”
Executive Director Jennifer Teisinger said, “It is particularly rewarding to see a national financial institution like US Bank make a significant investment in the performing arts in the Wood River Valley. We are grateful for this support and enthusiastic about our new relationship with US Bank.”
Further information can be found at www.svsummersymphony.org, and www.usbank.com.
Improvisation with actor Alburger
The Sun Valley Center for the Arts and Company of Fools will present a two-day improvisation acting class on Monday, July 14, and Tuesday, July 15, from 1-3 p.m.
The Creative Jump In, “Hot Fun in the Summertime Improv Jam with Andrew Alburger,” will be held at the Meriwether Building in central Hailey.
The class will include games, stories, scenes, characters, freezes, emotions, everything from A to Z, including the game A to Z.
Improv instructor Alburger has worked as both an actor and teacher with Company of Fools since 2001. He has performed and taught improv to all age groups for more than 27 years, starting in New York City and continuing here in the valley. Local students have engaged in Alburger’s classes at the Academy program at Wood River High School and with St. Thomas Playhouse’s Company B.
Tuition for Hot Fun in the Summertime Improv Jam is $50 for Center members and $65 for non-members. For more information and to register, go to sunvalleycenter.org or call 726-9491.
Celebrate the Fourth in Stanley
The Stanley annual Fourth of July celebrations will take place at the Stanley City Center with a parade and fireworks at Pioneer Park.
Gather for the parade at 5 p.m. at the Riverwear/Peaks & Perks parking lot on Highway 21. The parade starts at 5:30 p.m. and is followed by a Street Dance on Ace of Diamonds at 6 p.m. with music by Bill Coffey and His Cash Money Cousins. The band plays a mix of country, folk, rock and blues.
Fireworks will begin at dark at Pioneer Park.
Just down the road, Redfish Lake Lodge will have music by James Orr at 6 p.m. on the lawn.
For details, visit http://stanleycc.org/event/2014-stanley-4th-july-celebration/.
Campers invited to Church of the Big Wood
The Church of the Big Wood is inviting children ages 4 to sixth grade to join the Workshop of Wonders Vacation Bible School, which begins Monday, July 28, and ends Friday, Aug. 1, from 8:45 a.m. to noon.
The adventures include interactive Bible fun, music, super science, cool crafts, hands-on mission work, outdoor games and more. Kids in grades 4-6 head to Redfish Lake for a day of fun in the sun and water. The week ends with a Friday celebration program and lunch for families and participants from noon-1 p.m.
Register online at: http://2014.cokesburyvbs.com/pcbw or call 622-0548. Cost is $15 per child or $35 per family. Afternoon care is available from noon-5:30 p.m. for $10 per hour, with a three-hour minimum.
More art in public places
The city of Ketchum has selected five photographers and one printmaker from the Wood River Valley for an art exhibition in City Hall.
In addition, sculptures for the annual Art on Fourth exhibition, now in its sixth year, have been installed; “Cover Art” has expanded to include another utility box, and a recently donated sculpture has been installed in Edelweiss Park. All are initiatives overseen by the Ketchum Arts Commission.
Art in City Hall has been installed and includes works by photographers Joe Bauwens, Marybeth Flower, Stephen Heidel, Bob Law and Gerry Morrison, and printmaker Abby Grosvenor. Most of the pieces show scenes from the Wood River Valley, and will be on loan for a year.
“What better place to showcase the breadth and quality of our local arts scene than the otherwise spare walls of City Hall?” said Mayor Nina Jonas. “The work will remind those of us who spend time in the chambers what a great community this is, and why we choose to commit ourselves to improving it.”
Art on Fourth features six outdoor sculptures this year, lining the Fourth Street Heritage Corridor from Washington Avenue to Walnut Street. The works will remain in place until October.
Three sculptures are by Jacob Novinger, a Twin Falls-based artist who works primarily in metal. “The Scroll” is at Washington and Fourth streets, “Flaming Giraffe” is in Town Square, and “Toro,” a metal image of a red bull, is on Fourth Street between East and Walnut avenues.
“Eagle IV,” a bronze work on a basalt base by Gwynn Murrill, who lives and works in Los Angeles, is at Main and Fourth streets. “Lady,” a steel sculpture by the Wood River Valley’s late Rod Kagan, is in Town Square. “The River Dance,” a bronze piece featuring two fish by Oregon artist Tim Norman, is at East Avenue and Fourth Street.
The Arts Commission recently wrapped one more utility box with original artwork, bringing to 12 the total number of “cover art” boxes in Ketchum. The new box, located at Main Street and Sun Valley Road, stands adjacent to the box with an ore wagon image and features a mountain bike by a stream. Boise artist Patrick Kilby designed both boxes to recognize the historic and contemporary modes of travel in the Wood River Valley.
Edelweiss Park, which links the bike path to Third Avenue, now features a Corten steel sculpture, “Complementaros,” by Spanish artist Joan Barrantes. The piece was donated to the city of Ketchum by Gallery DeNovo and Steven Denholtz, one of the gallery’s clients.
The city now owns seven artworks with a total estimated value of over $100,000.
Closing party for exhibit
The Sun Valley Center for the Arts will host a closing celebration for its current Hailey exhibition, “Vita Brevis Press: A Printmaking Workshop,” on Tuesday, July 8, at 5:30 p.m.
“This will be the last chance for people to see the exhibition, which features really beautiful prints made in a variety of different media by a group of women working right here in the valley,” said Courtney Gilbert, curator of visual arts. “And it’s a great opportunity to learn about the different printmaking processes and the relationship between artists and master printers.”
The exhibition traces the relationship between printer and artist through prints made at Jen Galpin’s Vita Brevis Press in Hailey. In addition to Galpin, participating artists include Kate Browning, Margery Friedlander, Abby Grosvenor, Annie May and Gay Bawa Odmark. Guests at this closing celebration can enjoy a glass of wine and get insight into the work on view directly from the artists as they learn about the printmaking process and enjoy its stunning results.
This event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit sunvalleycenter.org or call 726-9491. The Center in Hailey is located at 314 Second Ave. South.
Active-wear sale to benefit veterans
To celebrate Independence Day this year, the women’s active-wear company SQN is donating 20 percent of its online sale proceeds from July 3-7, to veterans’ organization Higher Ground. There is also an event in the showroom Thursday, July 3, from 5-8 p.m., and drinks and light fare will be served.
The showroom is located at 320 N. First Ave. in Ketchum.
Higher Ground is a nonprofit organization with the goal of enhancing quality of life through inclusive therapeutic recreation and education for people of all abilities.
Higher Ground’s Military Program is recognized as one of the premier rehabilitation programs in the country by the Department of Defense, military medical centers, and veteran service organizations. Visit www.sqnsport.com for details.
Get out to see wildflowers
The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is inviting the public to an outing with Ann Christensen called “Wildflowers and Butterflies” on Thursday, July 3. The walk starts at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden at 9:30 a.m. Guests should plan to carpool to the destination. Bring a picnic and wear comfortable walking shoes.
The outing is expected to last until 2 p.m. To make a reservation for this free event, call 726-9358.
Upcoming dates for walks and their topics include: July 10, with Kathy Richmond and “Wildflowers & Mushrooms;” July 17, with Natalie Rose Ertz of Rooted in Nature and “Wildflowers and Wolves;” July 26, Nappy Neaman of Elephant’s Perch and “Wildflowers and Mountain Goats;” and July 31, Kelly Conde of the Sawtooth Society.
