Warren Neary “Winter Eve” Oil

• “Children’s Spookin’ Art Show” - October 31st, 2008

Young Artists up to age 13 are invited to join Gallery MAR in presenting our Spookin’ Art Show. Stop by the gallery beginning October 1st to receive your blank canvas. Using the Halloween theme, paint or decorate your piece in a “Spookin’” fashion and deliver your work back to the gallery by October 20th. $10 entry fee. Proceeds benefit Arts Kids.

The Spookin’ Art Show and sale runs October 24th through November 3rd. Reception for the artists is on Friday, October 31st from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Costumes encouraged. Call 435-649-3001 for more information.

• “Winter Grand Opening and Miniature Show”

Utah artists - December 26th, 2008. Local Utah artists present new miniature works for this holiday season, in all styles and media, for all art lovers and their unique tastes. Artists include Ryan S. Brown, Debbie Fowler, Shirley McKay, Aaron Memmott, Penelope Moore, Jan Perkins, Kathleen Peterson, and Brooks Yates. Contact the gallery for a private preview of the artworks.

The Winter Grand Opening and reception for the artists will be Friday, December 26th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. All are welcome to join us for delicious eats and artful conversation. This exhibition runs from December 19th through January 4th.

Our Winter Grand Opening will be followed by a lineup of exciting artist receptions, all of which will start at Gallery MAR at 6 p.m. and include gourmet eats, beverages and illuminating chats with the artists.

• “As Nature Unfolds”

New works by Brooks Yates and Sharon Jackman - January 30th, 2009. This exhibition runs from January 26th through February 9th.

• “Alternate Reality”

New works by Ginger Bowen and Fred Calleri - February 27th, 2009. This exhibition runs from February 23rd through March 9th.

• “A Conscious Balance”

Brad Stroman and Lisa Lamoreaux - March 27th, 2009. This exhibition runs from March 23rd through April 13th.

Opportunity drawing for an original painting by Brad Stroman to benefit the Swaner Eco Center. A portion of sales from “A Conscious Balance” will benefit the Swaner Nature Preserve and Eco Center, which proudly protects 1,200 acres of high-altitude wetland, stream corridor, and upland habitat for wildlife, water quality, and recreation in Park City, Utah.

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.

It’s hard to believe that this is the Kimball Art Center’s 39th year hosting the Park City Arts Festival. Congratulations! This is the largest art festival in Utah, with growth every year.

As always, Main Street will close down on Friday afternoon to allow the artists and craftsmen to set up their booths. On this night, locals can check out the booths in a free sneak peak starting at around 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The official festival kicks off on Saturday, August 2nd from 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and runs through Sunday, August 3rd from 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. 225 artists will showcase their wares and live music; 3 beer and wine gardens, and delicious food will entice you to stay all day. There’s also a Kids’ Corner featuring activities including face painting and art projects to keep the little ones busy.

“How to Fest”:

• Park at the Park City Mountain Resort lot and take a 5 minute bus to Main Street, or carpool with friends and park in one of the Marsac lots.

• Arrive early and walk up one side of the street during the coolest part of the day. Grab a Navajo Taco and a beer for lunch at the top of Main, then stroll down to see the other side of the street.

• Come at night and make a reservation at one of your favorite restaurants. My pick? Artichokes and trout on the patio at Cafe Terigo, or blistered beans and sushi on Shabu’s deck.

• Take a full tour before making any purchase decisions. Ask the vendor to put the piece in hold for 30 minutes if you need some time to think. Can’t live without it? Snatch up the piece right away… many vendors sell out and your piece may not be there later!

• Don’t forget a visit to Gallery MAR at 580 Main Street– we will have Utah artist Brooks Yates performing an artist demonstration on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.