July 6th, 2012

Gallery MAR celebrates new location

Event to feature exhibit and artist demonstrations

Scott Iwasaki, The Park Record

July, 2012

Gallery MAR has been open for more than four years and in the middle of the 2012 Sundance Film Festival last January, owner Maren Mullin relocated from 580 Main Street to 436 Main Street, a space that formerly housed Quality Interiors and Gifts.

“In one day we brought everything up the street,” Mullin told the Park Record. “We had artists, collectors and clients help us out and it worked out really well.”

The new location is a dream for Mullin.

“People had to walk into a building and then walk up some stairs and in through another door to get to my last gallery,” she said. “Now, with two entrances, one on Main Street and one on Swede Alley, and windows right on Main Street, visibility and ease of access is so much greater. People just wander in and fall in love with art, and at 2,300 square feet, this place is more than double the size of my last gallery.”

To celebrate, Gallery MAR will hold a Grand Opening reception weekend from Friday, July 6 through Sunday, July 8.

“Although we opened officially on Jan. 25 for the Gallery Stroll, my favorite holiday is the Fourth of July,” Mullin said. “I love the energy the summer brings, so I wanted to wait and have our grand-opening celebration this time of year.”

Mullin is calling the opening show “My Favorite Place.”

“I’ve asked all of my artists to either paint pieces or sculpt works that reference or represent their favorite spaces, whether they are of specific spots and locations or ideas and concepts,” she said. “The pieces that have come in are quite interesting and range from a variety of landscapes to sculptures to abstract works.”

The Gallery MAR represents 30 artists from around country, but they are centralized to the Southwest region, Mullin said.

“The collection is a great little taste from all of our artists and I think when people see the works, they will get a better understanding of what my artists are capable of doing,” she said. “Most of my artists come from Utah, Colorado and Arizona, and most of them will be part of the show.”

The event will run all weekend and will feature appetizers and drinks, and on July 7 and 8, the gallery will feature artist demonstrations from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.

“Ron Russon, a local painter who paints bright and fresh wildlife pieces, will be here on Saturday,” Mullin said. “He’s a farmer who lives in Salt Lake and paints part time.

“His paintings are made from layers of oil and he does a lot of pallet-knife work, so the texture is different and doesn’t look like typical oil painting. In fact, a lot of people think his works are done with acrylics.”

Sunday’s session will be led by another local painter Bridgitte Meinhold, who will be working on an encaustic piece.

“Her pieces are painted with layers of wax and casein paint, which is a milk-based paint,” Mullin said. “She slowly builds up this incredible depth on her works, and she’ll be melting her wax and people will be able to watch and learn.”

Mullin’s love of art developed at an early age while living in Seattle, Wash.

“My mother wrote a classical music column and I attended symphonies and other events,” Mullin said. “I love all beautiful things, whether they come from fashion, art, fine foods or music, and I just think we should surround ourselves with beauty and the art we have here represents our artists’ lives, progress and struggles.”

Mullin studied art in Florence, Italy, before returning to the states and moving to Park City.

“I worked with Susan Meyer at Meyer Gallery before opening my own gallery and I learned a great appreciation for the arts from her,” Mullin said. “I’m thankful the community has embraced my gallery and my artists and I’m looking forward to our opening weekend.”

The Gallery MAR, 436 Main St., will host an grand opening celebration from Friday, July 6, through Sunday, July 8, with “My Favorite Place,” an exhibit by various artists. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit blog.gallerymar.com.