Beginning earlier this year, a group of Park City gallery owners and directors made the move to take ownership of the Park City Gallery Association into the hands of the galleries. They are working to create their own website, www.parkcitygalleryassocation.com (love the new logo), along with their own awareness, advertising and marketing campaign to promote the stroll and Park City arts. From what I’ve heard, everyone is working well together and “good things” are happening… Congratulations!

Previously, the Kimball Art Center headed the Association and was known as the starting off point for the monthly stroll. And prior to that (a few years back) there was an individual association run by gallery owners. It seems that the group is now coming full circle with the Park City galleries as heads of the Association. From what I have been able to discern, with this new organization, the Kimball Art Center will be a part of the stroll and Association, but there will not be a charge for the stroll (previously $7) paid to the Kimball. This means more responsibility, time and effort for the galleries, but also more say in the organization and operations of the Association.

I’m looking forward to joining the new Park City Gallery Association and participating in the strolls along with the promotion of Park City arts. The Kimball Art Center does a fantastic job of bringing arts to our locals and visitors, and we’re fortunate to have them as a part of our arts community. Check out their current exhibit of Erin Berrett’s work if you’re in town. With their new leadership, I’m optimistic that the Kimball will work together with the Park City Gallery Association to do great things.

Watch in the coming months for the new brochure, the completion of the website, and a new energy and level of involvement from the galleries here in town. Gallery MAR will be featured on the new map/brochure, as well as the website, and will participate in every monthly stroll.

Joining CODA Gallery, Montgommery Lee Fine Art, and Julie Nester Gallery, Gallery MAR is featured in the September issue of Salt Lake City Magazine in their “Women in Business” section, featuring local women business owners. This month’s magazine features Utah’s “65 Best Breakfasts.” Hungry for fantastic art? Look no further! Read the copy here: SLC Magazine Feature.

Check out the latest press coverage of Gallery MAR below. In their “Coast to Coast” section American Art Collector Magazine chose Gallery MAR for our insider advice into the market here in Park City. The September issue is on newsstands now.

American Art Collector Magazine - September 2008

Aaron Memmott, “Main Street Glow” 18″ x 24″ Oil

Thank you to our artists all over the nation for inspiring us and enriching our lives.

Some favorite American artists to celebrate in August include Andy Warhol (whose birthday is August 6),  Mary Cassatt, Currier & Ives, Georgia O’Keefe, William Johnson, Thomas Eakins, Edward Hopper, Andrew Wyeth, Frederic Remington, M. L. Mastai, August Macke, Diego Velazquez, Arshile Gorky, Jean Dubuffet, Jean Honore Fragdnard, Norman Rockwell, Philip Evergood, Charles Alston, and Winslow Homer, just to name a few!

Here is a list of more American artists in varying styles: http://www.artcyclopedia.com/nationalities/American.html.

Do you have a favorite American artist, one you’re appreciating this month? Gallery MAR has added two new American artists to the gallery this week: Aaron Memmott and Kirk Tatom. Introduce yourself to their work today.

Kirk Tatom, “Southern View Cambria” 16″ x 19.5″ Oil

Congratulations to Kathy Lofft. Just today she got the endorsement from Utah’s second most powerful public executive (after the Governor): Peter Corroon, Salt Lake County’s Mayor. Spread the word and visit her website at www.VoteLofft.com. Lofft’s fund raising even on Monday night was a great success. Thank you to her campaign contributers for donating so generously, to Done to Your Taste Catering for the fantastic food, and everyone who helped to set up and support Lofft’s race for House Seat 53.

What a fantastic weekend for our Park City art community! Many thanks to our local artist Brooks Yates for coming by the gallery to paint here and delight our guests. This weekend was incredibly hot (both the temperature and the art!) and packed to gills every day with festival-goers. Friday night was the best night by far, in my opinion, with locals streaming through and picking up artistic goodies to add to their collections. Favorites of the 225 artist? Salt Lake painter Erin Berrett and Seattlite Brian McGuffey. Congratulations to the Kimball Art Center on their very successful annual auction on Thursday night and the popularity of the festival on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Gallery MAR artist Ginger Bowen is offering an oil painting class this December 2008 at the prestigious Scottsdale Artists’ School. See the flier below for more information. Or, email info@gallerymar.com for more information.