caption
Zenergy Health Club & Spa 245 Raven Rd | Ketchum 208.725.0595 zenergysv.com
Above: 2015 Wood River Valley Studio Tour Mosaic Project
134
svpn-mag.com
fine arts
A PRELUDE TO TOUR:
ANNUAL MOSAIC PROJECT SUPPORTS WOOD RIVER VALLEY STUDIO TOUR By Sabina Dana Plasse
MERGING FUNDRAISING AND ART COLLECTING IS WHAT MAKES THE 4TH ANNUAL MOSAIC PROJECT A UNIQUE EXHIBITION, ESPECIALLY IN ANTICIPATION OF THE ANNUAL WOOD RIVER VALLEY STUDIO TOUR. THE MOSAIC PROJECT IS NOT ONLY AN OPPORTUNITY TO OWN ORIGINAL AFFORDABLE ART, BUT THE EXHIBITION ALSO BENEFITS THE ANNUAL WOOD RIVER STUDIO TOUR. THIS YEAR, 52 ARTISTS WILL OPEN THEIR STUDIOS AND WORKSPACES, AUGUST 20-21, WHERE PATRONS CAN VIEW AND LEARN ABOUT THE MANY ARTISTS WHO LIVE AND WORK
CREDIT NOCHEESE PHOTOGRAPHY
IN THE WOOD RIVER VALLEY. As an overture to the Tour, the Mosaic Project will present a tile from each of the 52 participating tour artists for the annual Wood River Valley Studio Tour Mosaic installation. Each tile is an original work of art consistently created within an 8”x8” block. “With media from textiles to oil painting to steel sculpture, the Mosaic Project is a visually exciting demonstration of the diversity of art being created in the Wood River Valley,” says Suzanne Hazlett, co-founder and president of the Wood River Valley Studio Tour. Hazlett explains that the Mosaic Project also symbolizes the generosity of the Valley’s
svpn-mag.com
135
fine arts “The first year of the Mosaic Project artists wondered what they could do on a small block. They didn’t have anything to compare it to. It was a challenge. But after everyone saw each other’s work, the comfort level of all the artists expanded as did the caliber of art.” -Mary Williams, Wood River Valley Studio Tour Board Member
artistic community. Each artist donates his or her work for the project and, in turn, each tile is available for sale as a benefit for the Tour via online auction. The auction is July 1-10 with proceeds providing a significant source of funds to market and promote the artists of the Wood River Valley and also celebrates the creative process. Wood River Valley Studio Tour board members, Annie May and Mary Williams, have acquired this year’s venue for the physical installation of art at the Leadville Espresso House, formerly The Coffee Grinder, as a week-long online bidding exhibition July 1-10 with a public event for Gallery Walk on July 8, 5-8pm. The evening celebration will include refreshments and a few of the artists will be present. In addition, there will be devices for attendees to use to bid online. Leadville Espresso owners Betsy Shanklin and Susan Scovell love art, especially the regional artists, many of whom Scovell has known for years. Shanklin decided to open an espresso shop because she was unimpressed with retirement and decided to move to the Valley with the help of Scovell. “We’ll be the best information center we can be,” says Scovell. “The Tour staff will be here to share details on all the artists. And, of course, we’ll serve up the best coffee and espresso in town along with our hand-baked goodies including perogies, pies, scones, and more. The Mosaic Project will certainly be a bright spot in town. We’re all for supporting art in the Valley. Gary Lipton next door at Lipton Fine Arts, our biggest fan whether he knows it or not, suggested our location to Annie and Mary. We were very pleased when they approached us to be their host. Plain and simple, art is the best therapy. If there was more art in the world it would be a healthier, happier, and more peaceful place.” Williams is a founding board member of the Tour and May joined the board in 2014. May’s curatorial eye and installation skills are essential to the success of all the tour’s group exhibitions. May will curate and physically install the Mosaic Project exhibition at Leadville Espresso. “The first year of the Mosaic Project artists wondered what they could do on a small block,” reveals Williams. “They didn’t have anything to compare it to. It was a challenge. But after everyone saw each other’s work, the comfort level of all the
(Top to bottom) 2016 Mosaic Project contributions by: Judith Kindler. Photo courtesy of the artist. Jack Sept. Photo courtesy Diana Citret. Annie May. Photo courtesy Diana Citret. Diana Citret. Photo courtesy of the artist. Ginny Blakeslee Breen. Photo courtesy Diana Citret. svpn-mag.com
137
PHOTO BY GEORGE MARTIN
PHOTO BY NOCHEESE PHOTOGRAPHY
artists expanded as did the caliber of art.” The tour will use funds from the Mosaic Project toward advertising, social media, and venue rentals, explains Williams. Last year, the Tour was able to purchase panels and lighting for the nexStage Theatre exhibition, which takes place during the Tour in August.
“Plain and simple, art is the best therapy. If there was more art in the world it would be a healthier, happier, and more peaceful place.” -Susan Scovell, Owner, Leadville Espresso
“Our organization runs on a very small budget and it’s all-volunteer,” says Williams. “The works for the Mosaic Project are donated by the artists. If they don’t sell, they’re transferred to the following year. You may see some works from a previous year.” The artists place a value on their tiles and the bidding for the tiles will start at half of the price. The artworks will be auctioned online to the highest bidders. “Many people have purchased art over the past years, have created their own mosaic with their purchases,” says Williams. “It’s also a wonderful memento for travelers and visitors to the Wood River Valley.” This stunning display of work allows July visitors to the Wood River Valley to find out about the upcoming tour in August because it presents an array of art that Tour participants will be able to find when they venture out on self-guided tours of artists’ creative places throughout the Valley. Avid art collectors and those just beginning to build their art collections enjoy the Mosaic Project as there is truly something for every artistic interest and often at very collectible price points. The July exhibition of the Mosaic Project provides visitors a preview of the Valley’s artistic community along with information about the Wood River Valley Studio Tour.
138
svpn-mag.com
PHOTO BY NOCHEESE PHOTOGRAPHY
fine arts
JULY 1-10 WOOD RIVER VALLEY STUDIO TOUR MOSAIC PROJECT AND ONLINE AUCTION Mosaic Project on exhibition at Leadville Espresso on Fourth Street in Ketchum benefits the Wood River Valley Studio Tour. Each participating 2016 Wood River Valley Studio Tour artist exhibits an original work of art for the installation. Leadville Espresso is open every day from 7:30am to 2pm
JULY 8 MOSAIC PROJECT AUCTION EVENT GALLERY WALK, 5-8 PM See Mosaic Project, meet artists, bid on art, and enjoy a glass of cheer and refreshments at Leadville Espresso House on Fourth Street.
AUGUST 20-21 STUDIO TOURS, 10AM-5PM The Wood River Valley Studio Tour, Inc. is an Idaho non-profit organization celebrating the artistic talent of the Wood River Valley, also known as the Sun Valley region. For more information on the Wood River Valley Studio Tour, visit wrvstudiotour.org.
Above: Close-ups of the 2014, 2013, and 2015 Mosaic Projects. svpn-mag.com
139