Artique: Supporting the Arts in Kamas and Beyond
In June of 2011, Katie Stellpflug opened Artique in downtown Kamas, Utah, with the help of 2 other artists who stepped away from the project a year and a half later, leaving Stellpflug to captain the ship solo. Under her creative direction Artique has thrived: the co-op originally hosted the work of 10 local artists; today, there are around 30 creatives whose work is featured and sold at Artique.
Of the artist composition, Stellpflug says they are “typically from Summit County—Kamas, Francis, Peoa, Oakley, Woodland—and sometimes from Wasatch County or Salt Lake City,” so visitors can expect to find a truly unique selection of hyper-local creative goods ranging from ceramics, fiber arts, jewelry, and leatherwork to stained glass, metal sculpture, and fine arts. Artists must work a minimum of 1 day a month as part of the co-op model, offering a unique chance for visitors to interact with the makers and creatives. Artique also hosts First Friday openings throughout the year, where a new artist is highlighted each month.
It isn’t only Artique’s stock that is one-of-a-kind; Stellpflug says one of the distinctive challenges of running the co-op is that it is the first of its kind in Kamas to feature art in a permanent setting rather than as a pop-up: “It has been a fun adventure creating an art community [in Kamas], and we have had a good reception, but it is challenging because we don’t always get the response we want.” Artique was, in part, an answer to the community’s hunger for more Arts & Culture offerings in Kamas and the surrounding areas, and Stellpflug feels the co-op plays an important role in serving the creative community, of which she is a member in more ways than one. In addition to running Artique, Stellpflug is an artist specializing in ceramics, for which she earned a BFA. After college, she took a break and moved to Park City, and “the rest is history,” she laughs, “I never went to grad school, and chose the ski bum lifestyle.”
Stellpflug has always wanted to own a business and sell her own art, and visitors to Artique can search for her ceramics among the other offerings; “I have my hands in clay…making little handmade cups, trays, and soap dishes, but I’m looking for more inspiration.” What artworks will result from Stellpflug finding her inspiration? Those who visit Artique will surely be the first to know—one more excellent reason to shop local this Holiday season!
Artique’s December First Friday is always a holiday-themed party to kick off the festive season—this year it is on Friday, December 1st, so bundle up and head over to Kamas for a cheery and creative time! You can see more details about this and future First Friday events at Artique’s facebook page here.
Artique is open Thursday-Sunday 11am-6pm, and you can learn more at https://artiquekamas.com/