Gallery 24

Spring has sprung in Wayne County, and not a moment too soon. The weather is still iffy, of course, but the town of Torrey is waking up. The Chuckwagon Store & Deli is open, the four restaurants that close during the winter are now serving, our two art galleries have begun their full summer hours, and the Entrada Institute kicks off its 2011 season with an event this month.

Gallery 24 held its seasonal opening reception on April 23rd for a good crowd, despite a cold drizzle. Owners Brian Swanson and Pat Priebe-Swanson are artists, in metalwork and furniture by Brian, and watercolor landscapes by Pat. As mentioned in one of 15 Bytes’ early editions they founded the gallery in 2001 with Karen Kessler and Sally Elliot, who also built and ran the Skyridge B&B for several years.

An eclectic mix of painting, sculpture, photography, furniture, jewelry, pottery, and basketry |1-2| makes Gallery 24 a popular destination for tourists as well as collectors. Most artists are locals or near neighbors, some are widely known, such as Arthur Adelman, Laura Boardman, and Nancy Green, and all work is of high quality.
More info: www.gallery24.biz.

Torrey Gallery was opened in 1997 by Cathy and Larry Bagley. They knew many artists back in the day in Salt Lake, so when Cathy opened her real estate business in Torrey she hung some of their paintings in her office. Real estate customers asked about buying them and Cathy soon realized it would be a pleasure for her, her customers, and her artist friends, to open a real gallery. She had inherited several Navajo rugs, and Larry had gotten to know Navajo weavers on the reservation while doing sheep business there, so they also offer a fine collection of antique and modern Navajo rugs. Indoor and outdoor sculptures are also featured.

Most of the artists are long-time friends of the Bagleys and have local connections, such as full-time or summer homes, and all are accomplished artists as well. Denis Phillips, owner of the well-known gallery in Salt Lake, advised them on the business end. The visionary painter Doug Snow |4| lived here in Teasdale for over 30 years and gave the Bagleys kind but firm advice on how to treat their artists and how to hang his paintings. Other well-known gallery artists are Paul Davis, Silvia Davis,|5| Tony Smith, Doug Braithwaite, Bonnie Posselli and Kathy Peterson.
More info: www.torreygallery.com.

The Entrada Institute is a nonprofit organization founded in 1993 by a group of Salt Lakers who had a special love for this area, home to spectacular landscapes both in and out of Capitol Reef National Park. Its mission includes “supporting artists, writers, humanities scholars, and earth and social scientists … and promoting understanding and appreciation of the natural, historical and cultural heritage of the Colorado Plateau.” From May through October Entrada sponsors events at the Robber’s Roost Bookstore |6| in Torrey, which boasts a large outdoor stage area. The first event this year is the 10th annual Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival,|7| to be held on May 27th and 28th, combined, for the first time, with the Torrey Music Festival. The event is part of their Saturday Sunset Series, which includes programs by artists, writers, local historians, and many others.
More info: www.entradainstitute.org.

There is much more to say about the art and artists of Wayne County, so look for further dispatches. Meanwhile, come visit where the air is clear and the Milky Way is visible!

15 Bytes

UTAH’S ART MAGAZINE SINCE 2001, 15 Bytes is published by Artists of Utah, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah.