“My journey as a full-time artist accelerated this year, 2024, when I connected with the Arts Council of Park City & Summit County’s CREATE PC Artist In Residence program,” says Sherry Elshaug. Joining the Local Artist Collective has opened up new opportunities for Elshaug to exhibit and form friendships, stoking a new love of painting and “sharpening my creative edge, palette knife in hand,” she puns.

“CREATE PC brings hope to new, aspiring artists like myself.” Elshaug explains. “I believe being part of this program will help further my dreams of artistic achievement. Ever since I was a child, I found solace in the solitude of my artistic mind, in the release of creativity.” Being in her CREATE PC studio allows Elshaug to practice and refine new techniques, and she is currently working with gouache, acrylic, and oil pastels. “In order to create multi-layered, style-specific effects, I’m employing old and new techniques such as Impasto and Scraffiti. I also like to use unconventional methods that are possibly considered out of traditional sequence, layers of backgrounds and forefronts.”

Those seeking Elshaug’s artwork can recognize it by the “exposed, soft underlayment of gouache and my rest-easy, leather-like, hand-tooled finish, always leaving something to the imagination. My works are carefully named to provide an illuminating peek into my mind’s eye. My most current favorite piece, ‘Abduction of Europa’, is exciting and thought-provoking; delicately balanced with its tranquil, soft-color palette. Careful distribution of content, color and style helped create ‘Abduction of Europa’; a truly thought provoking work open to interpretation. Free, as art should be.”

Having an active studio space among other local artists has proven to be “an invaluable experience” far surpassing Elshaug’s expectations. “I’m surrounded by a variety of local talents who are up to the challenge of meeting Park City’s demand for residents and visitors to have affordable,

abundant access to high-caliber Arts & Culture events.” Elshaug points to the benefit of the Arts Council’s service to resident CREATE PC artists, claiming that finding a space that acts as both a studio and gallery would be difficult to achieve as a solo artist. “Having a CREATE PC studio space has impacted my artistic journey in the most positive way. It allows me time to be a professional artist by providing some resources, venues, marketing, networking, affordable studio space and the like without me being mired in the details of planning. I am an artist.”

Elshaug participating in a dirt bike ride

Part of being an artist is, according to Elshaug, a willingness to get involved in local community; “I'm pleased to give back to the community by producing unique, soulful pieces…an inventory of sorts, not just for my own gain, but to have works displayed around Park City for the enjoyment of others, whether they’re visitors at the Visitor’s Center, residents at the Public Library, or summer

rock concert performing artists at Canyon’s PENDRY Artist’s Lounge.” She also hosts friends and family for occasional paint-outs revolving around the holidays “when I’m not in isolation mode.” Elshaug is a hobbyist dirt-biker of 25 years, and she and her husband host annual, week-long trail rides where avid dirt bike enthusiasts travel from all over the US to converge for shared adventures.

Elshaug makes a point of enjoying all that the Summit County community has to offer in return, citing the Egyptian Theatre as her favorite year-round venue for live music, drama, and stand-up comedy, though she frequents the live music concerts at Canyons and Newpark—“There is so much talent in Park City…it is a destination place for me. I’m here because I want to be, not because I have to be.” For Elshaug’s husband, world-class skiing, hiking, and biking provides an irresistible draw. “Of course, Main Street offers an eclectic variety of fabulous, inspirational galleries flanked by amazing dining which is why I want to be here,” she adds.

To see Elshaug’s work in person, drop by CREATE PC Local Artist Collective at 1500 Kearns Blvd, Wednesday-Sunday, noon-6pm.

Sherry Elshaug: CREATE PC Artist in Residence Program Offers an Invaluable Experience