Brandon Cook - "The Gate," Oil, 2012

Why We Need Art, by John DeMarco

This post is by guest author, John DeMarco.  This article has been edited and published with the author’s permission on Fine Art Views, and is re-posted here as an educational tidbit.

Here’s a topic that demands a whole book rather than a few quickly noted ideas in a blog. There are lots of good and valid reasons why we need art, and it’s my intention to explore many of them at later dates, but my purpose in this first installment is to focus on a few which, for me, are fundamental.

I’ll start off by saying that art is an undeniable aspect of the evolution of our species. When a new connection is made in the mind, or when a new feeling registers in the heart, you can be certain that it will find its way quickly, in some form or another, into art. I’m speaking here, generally, of all the arts. They are one and the same in that they act as a channel for the changes that we go through, and they serve not only as a means of embodying new ideas, but as a means of disseminating them. In this way, the arts serve as a language.

An artist’s chosen field of expression depends on his or her nature, and all of the expressions are equally important and serve a function to the whole of the Arts. They are like the organs in a body, and function as a mirror for the soul’s experience of its own humanity. Vision, both inward and outward, are expressed through the visual arts, movement of the body, is expressed through dance, dreams are expressed through film, both smell and taste are expressed through the culinary arts, listening is expressed through music, and so on, through all possible combinations of feeling and sense perception. In this way, the arts are a vehicle for how we sense our world.

In an age of politics, where entire agendas can be hidden behind words and flimsy promises, the world of art is usually pretty lucid about its intended message. Indeed, it may appear in code, contained in metaphor or symbol, but art is a language meant to speak the things that can’t be said in mere passing words. In this way, art can provide a much more honest, immediate, and multi-dimensional means of expressing what we’re sensing, allowing awareness to spread more rapidly in its outreach.

Art, now more than ever, is a necessity of life. It’s here to remind us, even in these confusing and rather unstable times, that there’s a reason to press on, to follow our passions, and to celebrate. Art offers authenticity in a world of duplication, honesty in a world of deception, and subtlety in a world of heavy-handedness; art offers a glimpse into another person’s soul, which in turn will give you a glimpse into your own. These, I believe, are the central reasons why we are driven to create and to appreciate the creations of others. Art is expressive, expansive and evolutive. And it is spiritual and sacred in that it leads us to a deeper, broader, more honest awareness of what, and why, we are.

The arts, if they’re properly fed, can help our world avoid a crash and burn; and if they’re not fed, and we do crash, it will be the arts that lift us back up again. Why? Because whether you are artist or audience, they open a threshold through which creative energy enters our lives. This is really why we need art. Creativity is the blood of the soul.

Kirk Tatom just sent us this new painting which typifies Park City in April:

“Last Snow,” 29″ x 41″ in Oil, 2012

Written by Oakley Allred, Fine Art Consultant

I recently read a couple of articles pertaining to London’s cultural scene and the upcoming Summer Olympics, which raises the question in the UK’s capitol city, “Will the arts lose out?” While London expects to host approximately six million sports enthusiasts during the Summer Games, the city’s cultural institutions are forecasting conservative attendance numbers for the months surrounding the XXX Olympiad, which will occur during Europe’s busiest tourist season. However, some trend forecasters optimistically anticipate that an Olympic “afterglow” will benefit arts organizations in the UK.

I lived in Chicago during the height of its Olympic bid for the 2016 summer games, which were ultimately awarded to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Though I was only a casual observer of the bid, its supporters optimistically touted the benefits of bringing the Games to Chicago such as: infrastructural improvements, property development, increased tax revenue and greater overall exposure of the Second City.

Interestingly, many of the city’s arts and cultural organizations opposed the bid. Primarily, they feared the diversion of public funding dollars, disruptive construction and anticipated gridlock leading up to and during the event.

However, I always wondered why Chicago’s cultural institutions did not see an Olympic “silver lining” in the form of new viewers and audience members. Though not all six million Olympic tourists will visit London’s Royal Opera House, British Museum or Whitechapel Gallery this summer, I guarantee some will – and many for the first time. And isn’t it true that you never get a second chance to make a first impression?

It can be argued that Park City’s recent renaissance is at least partially due to the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games. In the early 2000s, Park City’s natural environment was used (though some would say exploited) to host a sporting event of global proportions.

In its aftermath, a greater economic momentum developed, bringing with it more exposure, visitors and ultimately money to what was not so long ago a small mining town.

With the Kimball Art Center poised to soon undergo a major expansion, and the number of art-related businesses and cultural offerings available in Park City at an all-time high, the link between sport and art is apparently “we the people,” arriving en masse and over time to recreate, consume and influence our surroundings.

Shawna Moore & Michael Kessler at Gallery MAR, Park City

Gallery MAR presented Shawna Moore and Michael Kessler’s newest series of works last weekend with their “Tracing Tangents” exhibition of over 30 new paintings. Both the Park Record and Western Art and Architecture Magazine did wonderful stories on the two artists, which you can read below. It was a treat to have both artists here in our new space, and this is without doubt the most impressive bodies of work we have ever received from this set of artistic friends.

Tragically, three days after his successful show opening and enjoying the beauty of Park City, Michael Kessler fell while skiing and broke both his collar bone and femur. We are looking forward to a speedy recovery for our dear friend and wish him well!

Gallery MAR Press

Western Art and Architecture Magazine “Ones to Watch– Shawna Moore” – March 2012

“ENCAUSTIC PAINTER SHAWNA MOORE SIMULTANEOUSLY DELVES INTO BOTH HER OWN CONTEMPLATIVE JOURNEY AND THE MOMENT AT WHICH SHE IS STANDING BEFORE HER CANVAS. Her work holds unhesitating spontaneity while dialoguing with the masters of the past…”

Park Record “Abstractly Natural Artworks at Gallery MAR” – March, 2012

“Natural abstracts will be the flavor of the night when the Gallery MAR hosts an opening reception for artists Shawna Moore and Michael Kessler on Saturday. While the two artists live far from each other, Moore lives in Montana and Kessler lives in New Mexico, they are good friends who have known each other for 10 years…”

Michael Kessler

On this beautiful Friday afternoon on Main Street, I wanted to share a few new paintings that have just arrived at Gallery MAR. Both Michael Kessler and Shawna Moore have outdone themselves with their latest works for “Tracing Tangents,” an exhibition featuring new paintings from both abstract artists.

Michael Kessler’s acrylic works are characterized by large fields of diaphanous color that are activated by organic linear structures that have been visually and physically woven into a grid structure. All of these visual elements, as well as the color combinations, have been carefully extracted from nature.

Shawna Moore

For Shawna Moore, making art is a quest to make sense of the world, both materially and conceptually, through the observance of nature, line, and color and how they entwine with the flow of thought and activity. Moore’s layered encaustic paintings reference a wide variety of topics including family heirlooms, Japanese calligraphy, Tibetan trekking, bodies of water, and planetary cycles. Moore believes in the transcendent quality of art making that touches both the viewer and the artist.

Meet the artists at a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 17^th from 6 to 8 pm and enjoy artful conversation and delicious appetizers from Savoury Kitchen. This exhibition will hang for three weeks.

Who: Michael Kessler and Shawna Moore

What: “Tracing Tangents” exhibition and artist reception

When: Saturday, March 17^th, from 6 to 8 pm

Where: Gallery MAR’s NEW location at 436 Main Street, Park City, Utah

See you here!

Gallery MAR drove the 5 hours up North to Sun Valley and Ketchum, Idaho for a relaxing weekend of skiing, more skiing, and art. The gallery scene is located in downtown Ketchum, a gorgeous little town at the base of Sun Valley mountain, and just a few minutes away from the Resort of Sun Valley. I love visiting this quaint town in the summer for fantastic concerts and river trips, but had never been in wintertime.

The View South, from Sun Valley Ski Resort

The secret? Winter is a perfect time to visit: the crowds are lulled, the skiing is gorgeous, and all of the shops are open. Restaurants are inventive and offer excellent ambiance. CK’s in Hailey was our favorite, with the Ketchum Grill as a close second. On our way out of town, we stopped at Cristina’s. And wished that we never had to leave.

Gail Severn Gallery, Ketchum, Idaho

My husband and I stayed for a few days and explored the art scene. Gail Severn Gallery is the best known and largest of the galleries and home to several of my favorite artists: Marcia Myers, Kris Cox, Kenna Moser, and Michael Gregory. The gallery had a bird-themed exhibition, along with a large collection of Ted Waddell’s latest. We considered a few paintings for our own collection, but in the end, we decided to walk out empty handed.

Want to see more information on Sun Valley galleries? Check out their gallery association page: http://www.svgalleries.org/.

In addition to the other galleries that I adore ( Freisen Gallery and Gilman Contemporary) I want to highlight a few of my favorite shops in Sun Valley: Farasha Boutique, PURE Sun Valley, and Formula Sports. We did our best to support the local economy: a lot of shopping. I guess we didn’t come home empty handed after all.

Love You Forever, Sun Valley

Matt Flint and a Collector & Fan (Gracie Flint in the background)

The collector pictured above has been following the work of Matt Flint for several years; finally, after a long wait, she was able to meet the artist in the gallery on the very same day that he delivered 19 new paintings for his “Up Close and Far Away” exhibition (opening this Friday the 24th).

There is nothing quite like meeting the artist whose work you have been admiring, and learning more about the paintings you have acquired. The artist’s voice and enthusiasm, as well as their insights into their own process, give you a connection to the work like never before. That’s why we at Gallery MAR bring you Winter and Summertime artist receptions, with as many opportunities as possible for our collectors.

Especially for an artist like Mr. Flint, where the work is intensely personal, hearing the creator of the artwork describe the painting gives you a new appreciation for the time, effort, and inspiration behind the piece.

If you are available to, please stop by the gallery this Friday for the artist reception from 6 to 8 pm. And make your own connection.