Adventure into the finer side of the Park City-Summit County area by taking some time to appreciate the region’s artwork. These adventures will help you discover art in plain sight as well as little-known masterpieces just up the road.

Art Stroll

Downtown Park City is a picturesque mountain town that also happens to have a vibrant art scene. Many art galleries are near each other so easy to walk from one to the other, and on the last Friday of every month, they open their doors for a Gallery Stroll. On these evenings, join fellow art-lovers in meandering down Historic Main Street through 19 participating galleries. Check out the newest installations from local, national, and international artists and enjoy light refreshments.  

The Last Friday Gallery Stroll is from 6-9pm. Check out the Park City Gallery Association’s directions to see the locations of all 19 galleries.

Art Talk and Walk

In conjunction with the Last Friday Gallery Stroll, the Kimball Art Center offers free Interactive Gallery Tours. Tours start at 6 and 7pm and last about an hour. The tours are led by Kimball Art Center staff and facilitate conversations about the artwork in the current exhibition. You’ll learn about themes in the work and be able to connect with the art and artist on a deeper level.  

The December exhibit will showcase Park City Collects, featuring famous artwork on loan from local collectors. In February, explore the exhibit Cold Places, which presents Arctic and Antarctic photography by Sue Flood. Sue Flood will be in attendance at the exhibit opening.

Street Art

In 2010, Banksy’s film Exit Through the Gift Shop premiered at Sundance Film Festival in Park City. Leading up to the showing, famous and unidentified street artist Banksy surprised the town overnight with several of his famous stencil graffiti installations. Many were scrubbed away, but two remain on the streets of Park City for passersby to enjoy.

Check out Banksy’s works of Camera Man and Flower at the Java Cow Café & Bakery at 402 Main St. and Praying Boy at Cunningham Building, 537 Main St.

Don’t Miss: For more street art, check out the mural on the S.R. 224 pedestrian underpass connecting the Kimball Junction Visitor Information Center and Redstone in Park City. The installation was sponsored by local arts groups and painted by local 11- to 17-year olds under the instruction of Bisco Smith, an internationally renowned street and visual artist from New York. This project reflects the vision of community and their hopes for the future. Check it out here.

Up and coming art

New and exciting shops are always popping up on east side of Summit County. ARTique in Kamas is no exception. It’s a locally owned art gallery and gift shop, chock full of one-of-a-kind treasures and it’s definitely worth a stop! All the items for sale are handmade goods by local Summit County artists. Find works of ceramic, fiber art, glass, jewelry, painting, photography, sculpture and more. It’s actually a co-op, and on your visit, you might even meet one of the featured local artists taking a turn working in the gallery.

ARTique celebrates newcomers and each month, a new artist is featured in the gallery. In fact, if you’re around on the first Friday of a month, check out the opening party for the current featured artist, starting at 6pm. Browse, get inspired, and maybe take home a souvenir or gift from the local art scene.

Worship Local Architecture

Summit County is dotted with many beautiful churches of various religions. Stopping at these spiritual buildings is a great way to experience beautiful design and local history. Check out each of the St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Churches. The relatively new building on White Pine Canyon Road (near Canyons Village entrance) is designed with wooden arches, stained glass and vista windows framing a stunning mountain view.

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church has two locations, and both are also worth visiting. The Old Town location was built over 100 years ago and can only seat 45 people. Keep an eye out for Christian symbols inside and out. The second location is in Synderville and is much larger with a more modern construction. Inside, you’ll observe religious symbols and artwork throughout the church.

Taking architectural inspiration from the surrounding mountains, Creekside Christian Church out at Kimball Junction pays homage to popular mountain lodges. The basic cross that tops the building nods to its non-denominational Christian teachings.

In 2008, Temple Har Shalom was dedicated as a home to the Jewish community in Park City. The building’s modern geometric design is beautiful to study and is surrounded by remarkable landscaping. As a Reformed Jewish Temple, all are welcome to visit and explore the role Judaism plays in their life.

 Just past the Echo Reservoir, you’ll find the remnants of the once-bustling railroad town of Echo. Very little remains of the Echo settlement, but the Echo Church and School is still standing. Built in 1876 in a Late Gothic Revival style, the building was used as a Protestant church on the weekends and as a local school during the week. Take a trip back in time with a visit to this pioneer chapel.

SightSeeing

Park City is famous for a wide range of public art. There are about 30 pieces of various art forms from sculptures to murals to shelters around town.

Don’t miss the Miner sculpture, located at 405 Main Street in Miner’s Park. It pays homage to the town’s humble beginnings when the silver mines first opened back in 1884.

Take a selfie with Franz the Bear! He’s a local icon; just check out #FranzTheBear on social media. You can find this friendly fellow on a bench at 560 Main Street along the sidewalk that spans Swede Alley and Main St. Then, cruise over to see Flaco, a metal and wood horse piece on display at 1250 Park Ave.

In the Old Town Transit Center at 564 Swede Alley, see the mural from local artist Marianne Cone. It showcases various types of transportation used in Park City presently and historically. Note the physical skis, boot and wagon wheel she incorporates into her mural.

Look at the map of Park City’s public art and get ready to take in the beauty of the mountains and all the iconic artwork. 

IF YOU DECIDE TO STAY

In addition to getting the guaranteed lowest rates, booking your lodging here is another way to help sustain art in our local community. A portion of your booking goes back to the Park City Summit County Arts Council.

EXPLORE ART ADVENTURES

IN PARK CITY & SUMMIT COUNTY

While we’re well-known as a mecca for mountain recreation, there are boundless opportunities to enjoy art, music, film, theater and other cultural events in Park City and Summit County.