Sun Valley Center for the Arts
Contact: 208.726.9491 www.sunvalleycenter.org
Since 1971, the Sun Valley Center for the Arts has been stimulating and provoking imaginations through its diverse arts programs. The Valley’s oldest non-profit educational arts organization is dedicated to bringing world-class experiences year-round to residents and visitors. The Center develops events in three distinct areas: education and humanities, performing arts, and visual arts. The Center truly offers something for everyone: art classes for adults, kids and families; lectures and demonstrations with authors, musicians and artists; musical performances ranging from classical to experimental to outdoor concerts with leading performers; six museum quality exhibitions a year; film series; dance performances; an exhaustive schedule of in-school residencies, readings and performances; docent tours and school visits to our gallery. A schedule of events is available online at The Center’s website, by calling or stopping by The Center, or in The Center’s program schedule. Hot Dates are available as an eNewsletter or in brochure racks around the Wood River Valley.
The Center’s gallery space in Ketchum offers a unique opportunity to see world-renowned artists in an intimate setting and its Hailey location serves as an adjunct gallery, events space, and classroom. The Center is nationally known for its multidisciplinary approach that weaves together thematically related exhibitions, classes, lectures and performing arts events. Past programs have focused on biodiversity and man’s impact on nature; the influence of the Chinese in the development of the Wood River Valley and the American West; and the confluence of Middle Eastern cultural traditions with Western thought. Featured artists range from pioneering Western painter George Catlin and early modernists Georgia O’Keeffe and Alfred Steiglitz to contemporary masters Andy Goldsworthy and Gerhard Richter and emerging artists like Mark Mulroney and Andrew Schoultz, who got their start as graffiti artists. In addition to exhibitions, The Center invites artists and authors ranging from college professors to Pulitzer and Newbery award winning authors to speak publicly and at local schools. Many programs are free.
From August 11-13, 2006, The Center presents the 38th annual Sun Valley Center Arts & Crafts Festival, an award-winning juried exhibition featuring the work of 130 artists from around the country. The festival takes place at the Sun Valley Resort and features a wide range of fine handmade arts and crafts, including painting, photography, fiber, ceramic, metal, jewelry and woodwork. This free arts festival also features musical entertainment and a children’s craft area daily.
The Center’s major fundraiser, the wildly popular Sun Valley Center Wine Auction, celebrates its 25th anniversary with a gala weekend July 20-22, 2006. Named among the Top Ten Charity Wine Auctions for the last three years by Wine Spectator, the event features more than 150 prestigious wineries who participate in vintner dinners, a live auction, a picnic and a wine tasting extravaganza.
Summer always brings a plethora of art classes for adults and kids as well as outdoor concerts to both Hailey and Ketchum. For a schedule of events, classes and performers, contact The Center.