Phoenix Gallery
Photography: Sam Belling
Like the legendary Phoenix rising out of the ashes anew, the local gallery of the same name has certainly developed colorful plumes. The contemporary 3-year-old business features an eclectic mix of sculpture, furniture, oil paintings, fused glass, copper pieces, multimedia work and almost every imaginable visual art form.
A healthy dose of local artwork graces the walls, as well as work from national artists (and even one international artist), much of which Phoenix Co-owner and Curator Judi Grenney snatches up at art festivals.
Not so long ago, Grenney frequented this Main Street gallery building to pay her power bill. Home to Utah Power and Light since 1927, the building received a facelift when it became Gamekeeper's Grille restaurant in 1996. When the restaurant closed, Grenney’s partners, Gary and Linda Barbour, opened Phoenix Events, so Grenney found herself dabbling in the special events business for a while — Sundance parties, wedding receptions and non-profit gatherings. Three years ago, the space was finally transformed into a three-floor gallery, housing vivid, whimsical and unique art.
The Phoenix showcases a wide range of artists. Current top sellers include Curtis Olsen, an abstract artist; sculptor Wayne Salge; and local painter Susan Swartz. Olsen, a former architect from Wyoming, starts with a photograph and combines it with materials (sometimes bits of scrap related to the image) and painting. The result is a mixture of abstract realism emphasizing color and texture. Salge sculpts in copper, creating exaggerated figures — both human and animal — boasting strong curving lines as well as smooth planes. His work, while abstract, portrays recognizable forms, from horses to plump female figures. Swartz’s paintings take up a large portion of the gallery’s main floor. These large oils, inspired by the local landscape, most often capture proud aspen trees with their many colors and personalities.
Just as a mother asked to choose her favorite child would react, Grenney is hesitant to pick a favorite artist from the bunch. Her affinity for a woven and painted copper piece by Suzanne Donazetti seems to match her admiration for all the pieces. On the top floor of the gallery, an array of fused glass, paintings and sculpture accompany Donazetti’s work. The adjoining deck features the comical work of Malen Pierson, humor-laden sculptures ranging from “Tailgate Party” — literally the back end of a pick-up truck — to a copper sculpture of a woman with flower pot breasts, entitled “Implants.”
“I don’t want anyone to walk in here and think they’re not welcome,” says Grenney. To help gallery browsers feel at home, the brick and copper building comes equipped with comfy chairs, friendly employees and upbeat music you can “bounce to” while taking in the art. The historic nature of the building makes the space unique and adds a sincere Old Town charm to the gallery. Though a wine cellar still boasts the building’s original furnace, a great deal of work has been put into the upgrading of décor (complete with intricate wooden branch-like banisters) and art-enhancing lighting.
The gallery’s slogan, “attainable, accessible art,” ties into Grenney’s desire to appeal to both potential collectors as well as established collectors. Having worked in galleries for 14 years, she also knows that the slower summer months can be deadly if a range of price points isn’t offered. In addition to appealing to a large demographic, the Phoenix continues to operate, on occasion, as an inviting special events hot spot.
Being a local herself, Grenney has the inside scoop on Park City’s artists. Among those featured in the gallery is Greg Ragland, a nationally recognized sculptor, painter and illustrator. City Councilwoman Marianne Cone, who creates multimedia pieces when she’s not helping run the town, is also represented by the Phoenix. Local artists Suz Mole, Brenda Thomas, Judy Taylor, Claudia Coberly and Susan Swartz round out the Park City representation.
Though work displayed at the Phoenix leans quite heavily toward the contemporary, with 60 artists featured in the gallery, the range of work offers something for every taste. Among this array of remarkable talent are three artists from the same family — Gary, Cheryl and John Collins, whose work will be featured at a reception in March. Gary’s work, Utah and Mediterranean landscapes as well as abstract pieces, will be displayed alongside his wife Cheryl’s fused glassworks and his son John’s paintings. Currently, the works are spread out on different levels of the gallery, making a family reunion of the pieces a bit of a treasure hunt.
The gallery’s lower level houses an array of Shoestring Creations furniture, brightly colored pieces including a chalkboard, which proudly proclaims, “Art Inspires Imagination.” From the contemporary totem poles to the Coca Cola pop art; from abstract stick figures (sculpted bodies standing on stick bases) to feels-like-you’re-there paintings (check out Mark Keller’s work); to smooth geometric sculptures and decidedly haunting minimalist works, there is no shortage of imagination at the Phoenix.
Like its namesake, the gallery resists stagnant energy. “It’s always evolving,” says Grenney. Although classy, Phoenix Gallery couldn’t be pegged as high falutin.’ Its laid-back character and bounty of top quality artwork are the ingredients for a thoroughly pleasant gallery experience.
Phoenix Gallery is located at 508 Main Street, 435.649.1006. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, and are extended during the winter months.
Neither sculptor nor painter, Jane Gendron is currently trying to master the art of training her dog. When she’s not whistling for her pup on the trails, she’s usually at work for a local non-profit.
Bringing artists and patrons together, Phoenix Gallery will host several artist receptions this winter and spring. The benefit of such get-togethers, according to Grenney, is a unique opportunity to see an artist’s full body of work:
Curtis Olsen
December 11, 2004
Gary, Cheryl and John Collins
February 19, 2005
Local Artists
March 19, 2005
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