Any time spent in Montana’s remote Centennial Valley is transformational but the beautiful fall season requires the word spectacular. The crisp clear morning air, the golden grasses and shimmering lakes on the valley floor, and the brilliant colors of the aspens in the alpine forests — all combine to inspire and instill a sense of profound gratitude. For that reason the University of Utah’s Environmental Humanities Education Center (EHEC) schedules its annual Art Celebration on the last long weekend of September. And this year Artists of Utah’s 15 Bytes is co-sponsoring the event.
Artists of all types — painters, photographers, writers, dancers, composers — are invited to converge on the Center’s campus and spend four days working on individual projects and sharing the joy with others. Hikes, canoeing the Red Rock Lakes and nightly star gazing are all part of the experience. Participants are committed to no particular agenda, but will find their stay facilitated by the center’s stuff. Last year’s event featured paint out sessions, informal workshopping, invigorating hikes, plenty of wildlife sightings, nights shooting pool and a spectacular full moon.
This year John Hughes, nationally known Utah landscape painter and plein air teacher, and regular columnist for 15 Bytes, will be the featured art faculty. He will work with painters through demonstrations and act as in-the-field painting coach (visit www. johnhughesstudio.com for more information). “Centennial Valley is a marvelous place, and the opportunity to create work surrounded by other artists and enjoy their company in a relaxing setting is always motivating,” says 15 Bytes editor Shawn Rossiter, who attended last year’s celebration. “We were excited by the opportunity to partner with EHEC in this event, and to give our readers who follow John’s column a chance to work with him in the field.”
The Center is 5 1/2 hours from Salt Lake City via interstate 15 with the last 28 miles on a maintained gravel road. Lovely cabin lodging and great food are included in the package. Sign up at www.ehec.utah.edu under programs and events – community programs. Space is limited so act soon to secure a cabin.
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.
Categories: Artists of Utah News
