Local artist Bill Silliman gets Silly

Park City artist Bill Silliman with camera. Photo: Bill Silliman

PARK CITY, Utah — Bill Silliman first picked up a camera in high school and hasn’t stopped photographing nature since then.

He is well known for his series of photographs depicting the four seasons in Park City but he loves taking pictures of wildlife as well. This spring he was monitoring a sandhill crane nest to take pictures of the colts.

When an astronomical phenomenon is expected to appear in the skies, he carefully plans out, which location will be best for the type of image he is hoping to create and when the weather predictions align, he will drive for hours or even days to reach the location in time.

He always has his gear ready to go though, so if the elk herd is reported to be in a location he wants to photograph, he will drop everything, except for skiing, and head there.

Bill Silliman said he “wants to get people interested in wildlife and enjoying nature while respecting their domain and leaving no footprints.” He carries a garbage bag and tends to clean up litter in the areas he photographs.

He started selling his photography about 30 years ago at Art-A-Fair in Laguna Beach, California. His photography regularly wins awards and two of his photos traveled around the state in a show by the Utah Arts Council last year. His favorite market is the Park Silly Sunday Market though. Bill Silliman says, “Park Silly Sunday Market has given many local artists a start and it is an amazing experience to have people talk to you and tell you how much they love your work.”

Park Silly Sunday Market

Bill Silliman just finished a new series of photos: Park City McPolin Barn Four Seasons, which he will show at the Park Silly Sunday Market in September. He will be there on all remaining dates, September 3–24. The market is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine.

“I am really hoping the City Council will let the Park Silly Sunday Market continue as it is. The people love the local art and when they ask me for a good place to eat, I ask them what type of food they are looking for and always recommend a place on Main Street,” says Bill Silliman.

After much uncertainty about the future of the Park Silly Sunday Market, the city and the organizers of the market are back to negotiating a potential long-term contract. Updates are expected in October.