It’s 7PM and 95 degrees, but the shade from the Salt Lake City and County building casts a cooling shadow over the first evening of the Sale Lake Arts Festival. Because this was the opening night, perhaps, the place was packed the energy was incredible last night. All of these people coming together to celebrate Utah Arts- visual, musical, literary, performing, and more. It’s truly inspiring.

The Artist’s Marketplace is the backbone of the fest, with 133 artists from all over the country. Some favorites to watch out for: Richard Curtner (booth 11), Erin W. Berrett (booth 21), Aaron Fritz (booth 96), and Brian Blackman (booth 132) just to name a few. For families, art booths like the Mad Hatter and a recycled materials-based playground keep the kids busy. Live music comes at you from all directions- stages spot the grounds. Also, the food selection was quite nice. All the of the expected fair foods, along with Thai noodles and even a beer and wine garden.

Because of the heat in the city, I’d recommend you go at night, grab some corn on the cob and sit by the library water feature to enjoy the people watching. The festival runs until Sunday, every day until 11 pm in Library Square.

Park City’s own Art Festival, sponsored by the Kimball Art Center, is this August 1-3, right here on Main Street. We will be open all weekend long and will feature an artist demonstration by Brooks Yates on Saturday from 11-2, right here in the gallery.

Gallery MAR Advertising (click to view our advertisement)

I am excited to announce that Gallery MAR will soon appear in various media. Check them out and watch for more features throughout the summertime. All press inquiries should send an email to info@gallerymar.com.

The Park Record (www.ParkRecord.com)will feature a story by Scene reporter Greg Marshall on July 5th.

Shawn Rossiter of 15Bytes (www.artistsofutah.org) will write a feature in the July issue of his magazine.

Southwest Art Magazine has our first fullpage advertisement in its July issue.

Park City Magazine and Mountain Express Magazine both have our advertisement in their summer issues.

I’m sitting in the gallery on a divine Friday night as Jazz wafts through my windows. It’s the Park City Savor the Summit- an old event now revitalized and taking over Main Street. Sponsored by the Park City Jazz Foundation, it looks like it’s already a hit! Here are the details:

“FREE live jazz on 4 stages, street dance, beer and wine garden in front of the Main Stage (Post Office), 7pm siren signaling a “Toast To the Town”, and a community drum-circle. Come to Main Street and celebrate Park City’s longest dinner party, seated at a table set right down the middle of Main Street. Over 500 people dining together at The Grande Table.”

What a fantastic idea. It’s incredible to see the town come together- this is why we love Park City! Missed your dinner reservation? You can still participate in the Grand Picnic tomorrow from 3-6 at City Park. Visit http://parkcityjazzfoundation.vpweb.com/ for more information.

We’re making the leap to “Go Green” at Gallery MAR. From day one this has been of utmost importance to me. With the help of local environmentally-friendly consultants Alex Lofft and Katherine Noble (supporter and guest-host of KPCW’s This Green Earth, respectively) I’ve educated myself about how to make the least possible environmental impact here at the gallery.

Through the power of wind we are lighting the artwork and running the computer. Rocky Mountain Power offers the service to buy into blocks of wind power, AKA Green Energy, and now all of our usage is brought to us by the Blue Sky program: http://www.rockymtnpower.net/Article/Article81246.html

We Recycle and Reuse all materials possible in the gallery and use re-chargeable batteries and recycled paper for our artist biographies and collector correspondence.

We clean with non-toxic products for better air quality and safety.

I walk to work. Okay, not on the really nasty days, but through most of the summer.

The internet and email the best paperless way of communicating with collectors. More trees to shade us all! Do your part and sign up for our email newsletter NEWS MAR by entering your email address on this page: http://www.gallerymar.com/contact/.

Any more ideas? Leave your comments and suggestions.

Quite a lot has been written about the worth of art. There are whole books devoted to the matter (and a personal favorite? The Worth of Art by Judith Benhamou- it’s a great gift). But as “valuable” as the diamond studded skull “For the Love of God” by Damian Hirst may be, I don’t want it in my house. It makes me a little sick to look at it. Instead,  I want to surround myself with beautiful things, with pieces I adore and art that has meaning to me. There is a quality that I look for in fine art, and it must pass that test in order to be worthy of space in my home.

Only you can decide what that quality is you are looking for. You have to be discerning and educate yourself about what is out there. One of the best parts of working in a gallery is discovering each and every person’s definition of their own qualifications and desires for fine art. Tastes are subjective! John Keats described art in terms of its most important value, quality: “A thing of beauty if a joy forever: Its loveliness increases; and it will never pass into nothingness.”

Your pieces of art will last lifetimes if you curate a collection of beauty, as defined by you alone. The market is up, the market is down. No matter how the economy stands, surround yourself with the things that you love and you make the best possible investment: an investment in yourself.

Gallery MAR artist Ryan Brown has been living in Florence, Italy for the past year finalizing his plans for a new venture: Painting in Florence, a fine art school. This is an incredible opportunity for artists, professionals and amateurs alike who dream of painting alongside skilled instructors in Tuscany for two-week sessions this September and October.

The painting above, “Tuscan Hills,” is one of Brown’s pieces here at Gallery MAR and was painted on site in Tuscany.

Brown’s website, www.paintinginflorence.com, describes the experience as, “An incredible 11 day painting escape to some of the most beautiful cities in the heart of Tuscany. Exclusive class sizes will allow ample time for students to ask questions, have daily one on one critiques and see multiple demonstrations. Each of the teachers knowledge and experience with the region will also allow students the opportunity for a more intimate view of Italian culture and its history. So, whether your an experienced painter or a beginning student, or even a painters companion, these workshops offer a unique opportunity to see, learn about and experience the historical beauty of Italy in a way you will treasure forever!”

During my college years, I was able to study painting in Florence through the SACI program and Pepperdine University. Studying Art in the birthplace of the renaissance was a life experience like no other and I encourage you to contact Ryan Brown and his colleagues if you are interested. Ahh, to be in Italy again…

Below are a few new selections of photos of the gallery for those collectors, artists, and friends who are out-of-state. We have been busy with locals and other gallery owners stopping by each day. And we’ve sure kept our delivery men hard at work: each day new work arrives and it is like Christmas opening each package, discovering beautiful paintings and sculpture.

Since I have been so busy unwrapping packages, now is a great time to write about the packaging and shipping of fine art. In my experience, collectors often have multiple homes and want their fine art to grace more than one home. Sometimes this means moving artwork from one state to another, or even overseas. Each piece of artwork requires special handling and consideration, but there are a few guidelines to follow.

Always use at least one strong layer of bubble wrap around each piece. For heavier or more fragile items, up to 4 layers would not be unheard of, with an under layer of paper or cloth. If you are using cardboard boxes, package the item inside with multiple layers of more bubble wrap or Styrofoam peanuts between the piece and the box. After securing the box with tape, give the box a shake. Do the items inside shift around? Do you hear peanuts settling? Time to re-open the box and stuff it tighter!

I always suggest using recyclable materials: better for the environment and more cost-effective. Biodegradable Cornstarch Peanuts can be found at www.ULine.com as well as other packaging websites. Cardboard boxes can usually be re-used three time before they’re recycled. More and more retailers are recognizing the need to cater to their “green” consumers, so seek out those options whenever possible. Most recycling centers (Park City’s included) will both accept and give away packaging materials. Try the “re-use” route before you buy new!

If you need more information or are shipping oversize items, you can always call Gallery MAR for more information and resources. There are also several national shipping companies who do both the crating and freighting of items. Safe and happy shipping to you, but remember… always get your shipment insured!