Thank you for artists Lisa Lamoreaux and Brad Stroman for helping Gallery MAR to realize such a success in our “A Conscious Balance” Exhibition in March and April. Through the Opportunity Drawing and sales of that show, Gallery MAR was able to raise $1,000 for the Swaner EcoCenter.

Above, Gallery MAR Owner Maren Bargreen gives Swaner’s Sally Tauber the check.

With 1,200 acres of breathtaking open space nestled amidst expanding development, Swaner is a refuge for an abundance of wildlife. Over 10 miles of trails offer recreational opportunities for mountain bikers, hikers, birdwatchers, fishermen, snowshoers and photographers.
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Fostering the delicate relationship between people and nature is at the heart of managing this community treasure.

Celebrating that relationship is at the heart of our new Swaner EcoCenter. The EcoCenter is the greenest building in Utah, a symbol of Swaner’s ideals and values, and a powerful expression of our relationship to the environment. It is a place for reflection, enlightenment and celebration.

With expanded programming for youth and adults, interactive exhibits, an innovative theater, and space for unique events, the EcoCenter is designed to inspire a deep respect for the natural world.

At Swaner, we understand how the health and beauty of the natural landscape heightens our quality of life. Our environmental ethic is reflected in our architecture, in our programs, and in the face of every child who crosses our threshold and wonders at nature’s mysteries.

It is an ethic born of the sense of well-being we all feel when we gaze across the wildflowers in the Swaner meadows, look up at the idyllic backdrop of the surrounding mountains, breathe in their seasonal beauty and know why we chose to visit – or perhaps stay.

Creative flair and environmental ingenuity come together in the work of Joe Norman, Utah-based sculpture and furniture maker. His work is always unique and always refreshing. He recently shared with us his most recent completion.

The latest piece began its life as a collection of pallets and bomb fins. Norman has a talented eye– he sees artwork in the mundane and rejected “garbage” otherwise relegated to the dumpster. For this table, the only items that weren’t re-purposed were the paint and the bolts that hold the legs to the seat. Everything else was fully recycled!

Norman writes to the gallery, “I’m really enjoying combining found objects and modern aesthetics with a green sensibility — eventually I’d like to have all parts of the furniture recycled, including paints.” We look forward to seeing how Norman’s work will progress and what new ideas he will explore as he creates his beautiful eco-friendly pieces.

In addition, Norman is interetsed in commissison work. Have an idea or a piece of “scrap” that you would like to utilize in a new way? We’ll put you in touch and Norman can create the perfect piece for you and your eco-friendly lifestyle.