The Last Friday Gallery Stroll in Park City remains one of a handful of free year-round activities in this seasonal town, welcoming locals and visitors dressed for either summer or snow, and with a range of artists and artwork with just as vast an influence. Visit the 19 different galleries on the last Friday of every month from 6:00 pm-9:00 pm, some waving the signature white flag denoting their participation in the event, many of whom take the opportunity to feature artists and provide hors d'oeuvres, often with the artist themselves on hand.
DETAILS
What – Park City Gallery Association ’s Last Friday, Gallery Stroll
When – Last Friday of every month (year-round)
Where – Historic Main Street and surrounding areas
Who – Open to the public
The Park City Gallery Association
After 23 years with the Park City Gallery Association, Co-President and Trove gallery owner Jen Schumacher is representing lower Main Street well with her gallery's collection of pieces from over 50 different artists, from both Utah and across the country, showcasing work in a wide range of aesthetics and mediums from modern art to jewelry and sculpture. "Thousands of artists are supported," says Schumacher of the monthly event, "they count on us to be here, be open, and to be selling their art." Schumacher herself is a huge proponent of the event, not only to connect artists' work with potential buyers but as a draw to Main Street. While the galleries themselves are open throughout the week, the gallery stroll, "it's a whole different vibe," says Schumacher, "The galleries are having shows and showing new work. It's a great reason to get to Main."
And while Main Street does boast the majority of the galleries, there are seven galleries off-Main accessible by public transportation, "Take a bus, park, start at the top or bottom. Just go for it."
Park City Arts Council
In September of 2019, Jocelyn Scudder, Executive Director for the Park City Arts Council, helped breathe life into one of Park City's 19th gallery, Create PC. "The idea is to feature local artists, focusing on supporting Summit County artists first and foremost," says Scudder of their new space beneath the Town Lift, "We represent artists not already represented on Main Street, highlighting local. It's a benefit…we are contributing to the overall vibrancy of lower Main Street."
Scudder, along with the Park City Arts Council, are huge promoters and supporters of the Gallery Stroll, but also see Sundays this summer as yet another weekly opportunity to stroll through all that the Park City art scene has to offer. "COVID shutdown where artists make money," says Scudder, referencing the economic shutdown resulting from the recent pandemic, "Artists are the life of the gallery. Now, with car-free Sundays, we have permitting to be out on the streets."
The Park City Arts Council was founded in 1986, and Scudder has worked in and amongst the Summit County arts since 2013, spending four years with the Kimball Art Center and another three years with Summit County Public Art. Her experience is a driving force behind what Create PC has to offer the community. The space itself is more than a gallery, an opportunity for artists to share their work and their process as well.
Whether you're in town on the last Friday of the month or any Sunday this summer, stroll through Park City's galleries with a fresh perspective, enjoying the walkability of a car-free main street gala-feel of a Friday-night stroll.
