CREATE PC Local Artist Collective: Raising Art Walls, Knocking Down Barriers

When CREATE PC Local Artist Collective relocated to 1500 Kearns Boulevard, the Arts Council was faced with a problem: the number of artists with work to hang far outstripped the existing wallspace. CREATE PC artists Kelly Gallagher and Mitch Bedke met with the Arts Council’s Executive Director, Jocelyn Scudder, and Emma Brake, our Events & Accessibility Coordinator. Together, they conceived of moveable art walls that could both display all the artists’ work and allow for the gallery space to be reimagined. 

Gallagher says of the project “We looked at a number of concepts, but as a steel artist I was enamored with an industrial look. And we needed plywood inserts to maintain flexibility for long term art mounting options. The standard plywood sheet width was selected to reduce scrap, and the overall design went from there. In late November Mitch and I created the prototype, and after approval by Jocelyn and Emma we created the remaining 11 movable walls, which are enough to showcase quite a few pieces without creating flow blockages in the gallery space.”

The creation of the art walls galvanized the local creative community, and among those who assisted were fellow CREATE PC artist Karen Millar Kendall, Gallagher’s neighbor John Holmen, and Richard Cobbey, Gallagher’s long time welding instructor, who lent his expertise and space in his welding shop. According to Bedke, installing the art walls in time for the CREATE PC gallery soft opening was crucial, as “the demand for studio and gallery space has been overwhelming.” Gallagher echoes this sentiment: “Mitch and I were extremely motivated to actually implement this vision in a short timeframe.” Thanks to the efforts of Summit County artists, Arts Council staff, and community members, “CREATE PC had a superb opening,” reports Bedke, “and with people becoming familiar with its off-main location, it will gain even more momentum and become the best place to buy local art.”

For Gallagher, equipping CREATE PC with modular art walls was more than a chance to put her skillset to work; the project symbolizes the resourcefulness and collaboration of the local creative community, and gives Summit County artists reasons to hope for more investment in Arts & Culture moving forward. “Our contribution to CREATE PC was critical because at that time (and still now) it was vital to prove to the Park City community that artists can act in the interest of the Arts Community, and that we could create an awesome gallery with few dollars and willing hands.” 

As for the Kearns Boulevard location, the building is slated for redevelopment in 2026, so while it doesn’t represent a permanent solution to the demand for more creative spaces, its rebirth as CREATE PC is nonetheless an important action in support of Arts & Culture. Arts Council Executive Director Jocelyn Scudder spoke to the decision to pursue the new gallery and studio space: "our local artists are the people who really made CREATE PC possible. They literally helped create something from nothing—transforming an office space into an inviting and creative gallery space. Our participating artists are the heart and soul of CREATE PC, and their commitment to realizing a local artist collective has been unparalleled. With their enthusiasm and energy, committing to a 3-year lease for CREATE PC was a no-brainer for the Arts Council as we help fill a critical gap in the local arts community." Bedke speaks highly of CREATE PC— “it feels great having [a more] permanent gallery and studio space for local artists.” Gallagher goes on to add that “having a 3-year home for CREATE PC will enable the Arts Council and interested artists to spend our creative energy seeking (and implementing) the long-term, permanent location which will be a home for local arts…and local artists.” 

Arts & Culture is a critical part of Summit County’s identity, and the new CREATE PC Local Artist Collective studio and gallery space is a demonstration of heart, effort, and the collective power of local artists. Summit County creatives are busy people: when they aren’t knocking down barriers to Arts & Culture access, they just might build walls to display their fellow artists’ work.