Art in action: Open studios create an immersive experience at CREATE PC

CREATE PC artist in residence Sherry Elshaug. Photo: Claire Wiley

PARK CITY, Utah — The Arts Council of Park City & Summit County produces original programming that provides a multitude of arts and culture offerings for the community. In February of this year, the Arts Council unveiled a new space for its popular initiative, CREATE PC. Now more than ever, this innovative artist collective is poised to invigorate the local arts community by providing a dynamic venue for artists to showcase their work and for residents and visitors to engage with local art.

Jocelyn Scudder, executive director of the Arts Council, emphasized the significance of the new location in promoting the arts within the community. “As an Arts Council, we want to tell our story and make sure that people understand who we are,” Scudder said. “We are an independent nonprofit that provides support for the local arts community, and CREATE PC is a big part of that.”

CREATE PC features over 40 local creatives, encompassing a wide range of artistic disciplinesincluding fine art and one-of-a-kind products, from jewelry and pottery, to apparel and skincare. “We call it a local artist collective, but really, I think of it more as a creative marketplace,” Scudder explained.

A key feature of CREATE PC is its artist-in-residence program, which offers 10 local artists dedicated studio space on the second floor. These artists, currently an all-women cohort, have 24-hour access to their studios, allowing them to work on their craft, meet with potential collectors, and host open studio nights. “It’s a space where artists can leave a canvas in progress, store their art supplies, and have an active creative space to make new work,” Scudder noted. For the artists it’s meant to feel like a home studio.

The open studio nights, held on the third Thursday of every month and during the monthly gallery strolls on the last Friday, provide a unique opportunity for the public to immerse themselves in the creative process. Visitors can watch the artists at work, ask questions, and gain insight into the techniques and inspirations behind the pieces on display.

CREATE PC ensures that artists benefit significantly from their sales, offering a minimal monthly fee (this covers the cost of operating the space) and returns 85% of the sale price to the artist. “We know there’s a need in the community for this program,” Scudder said. “All participating artists have skin in the game, and that’s a really important indicator for us.

Additionally, CREATE PC provides artists the chance to work on commissions and engage directly with potential buyers. The space also hosts various community events, fostering a sense of community among local artists.

CREATE PC operates on a seasonal exhibition schedule, allowing artists to display their work during the winter & spring or summer & fall months. The rotating schedule allows the opportunity for more local artists to display and sell their work.

In addition to these bi-annual shows, CREATE PC transforms into a holiday market from late November through January. The CREATE PC Makers Market focuses on creative products ideal for holiday shopping, such as handmade ornaments, knitwear, and other unique gifts. “We increase our inventory of creative products during this time, making it a great place to shop local for the holidays,” Scudder said.

Looking ahead, the Arts Council plans to expand CREATE PC’s offerings and further support local creatives. They envision a larger space that can accommodate a broader range of artistic practices, including woodwork, glass art, and metalwork, which require specialized facilities.

Scudder notes that all participating artists are Summit County residents, which is a non-discussion. “We always want to try to do our best to keep spending dollars within our local economy, and this is a great way to do so,” she said.

For the Arts Council, CREATE PC is not just a venue; it is a hub for artistic expression and community connection. The space offers artists a place to create, display, and sell their work, while also providing the community with a unique destination to experience and support local art.

For more information about CREATE PC, upcoming events, and open studio nights, visit the Arts Council’s website.