August 3rd, 2010

Last night I arrived home at midnight from a whirlwind trip to the Sun Valley/Ketchum, ID area.  About 5 hours north of Park City, Sun Valley has incredible galleries, restaurants, biking, hiking, and skiing (later in the year!). We were amazed by the friendliness of the community and the events and activities that they have to offer their summer visitors.  It’s about as fabulous as Park City in the summer time… well, almost!

Gilman Contemporary Gallery, Ketchum [Ashley Collins Dog, Left]

Friesen Gallery, Ketchum [Michael Kessler painting]

There are quite a bit fewer galleries in the Ketchum area than there are here in Park City, but ones that are there are all top notch. Gilman Contemporary has received the Best Gallery award for two years in a row, but it is Gail Severn Gallery that truly stands alone. This vast gallery showcases artists from Chris Reilly, to Michael Gregory and (my favorite) Marcia Myers. Gallery MAR’s Michael Kessler exhibits at Friesen Gallery (who also has a location in Seattle) and his works truly shine in this space. Another highlight is Kneeland Gallery, who showcases local Utah artists and one of my personal friends Shanna Kunz.

Gail Severn Gallery, Ketchum [James Cook landscape]

What an inspiration to see so much fantastic art in a small town. In addition to the art tour, my husband and I rented bikes– we rode down to a bridge and jumped into the river for a quick cool off, then rode back to sit on the lawn and enjoy the Sun Valley Summer Symphony play with Garth Brooks for an incredible concert. Sunday brought us up to the Sawtooth Mountains and some river rafting on the Salmon. Whew! For a 30 hour trip, we certainly packed it in.