Perhaps you’ve seen the think pieces floating around social media that arts are on its way out in our increasingly STEM obsessed world. But there are those fighting the good fight and allowing the arts to thrive and become deeply integral elements of our communities year round. The Park City Summit County Arts Council (PCSCAC) is spearheading the charge to make creativity and the arts an integral part of life in Summit County.
PCSCAC’s mission is to “showcase local artists and plan advocacy projects for the future of arts and culture in summit county,” says Hadley Dynak, executive director of the council, and “inspiring leaders to think about what arts and culture mean to our community and what the future of artistic expression will look like in terms of what our residents need.” While the PCSCAC has multiple goals and approaches to interweaving art’s presence in Summit County’s communities, they are also committed to supporting artists and individuals “We host exhibit showcases, an arts market and show, fine art exhibits and sales, and, in the winter, we do a curated showroom of local entrepreneurs and makers,” Dynak says. All of these programs ensure that Park City’s arts scene remains a thriving element of the local culture.
While the PCSCAC really emphasizes locals in their programs, they also want to cater to Park City’s thriving tourism market. Their newest campaign, “Explore Art. Adventure. Awesome.,” curates art-centric adventures so out-of-towners can really understand everything the local community has to offer, like the “Read and Ride” adventure which has you “hop on a bike to explore Park City’s Old Town, McPolin Barn or the Summit County Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail and read up on history and heritage along the way,” or the more exhilarating “Balloons and Beer” so you can experience “Park City’s spectacular show in the sky. About 25 hot air balloons launch as part of the Autumn Aloft Festival. Experience this colorful event and taste some of our handcrafted brews the weekend of September 16-17.” From the gallery stroll to horseback riding and fly fishing at Blue Sky Adventures, there is something to appeal to everyone.
The adventures provide six itineraries so you can choose those which speak to your interests and desires to explore all that Summit County has to offer. Or, if you’re feeling particularly eclectic, take specific experiences out of several itineraries and create something completely new and specifically you.
If you need some art and culture in your life, Park City and Summit County are the places to go and get your fill. Sometimes, we need the passion of good food, drinks and artistic beauty to reinvigorate our souls. “Arts and culture are a core part of who we are as a community. It’s what makes Park City and Summit County a great place to live, work and play. Art is fundamental part of our community and our authenticity, and we want to give visitors a real taste of the local flavor,” explains Dynak.
We’re on our way, and you should be too.
