STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK
Edward Hemmings grew up in Sun Valley where he, like so many, reveled in outdoor activities during the day and enjoyed plays, concerts and art exhibitions in the evening.
He graduated from Sun Valley Community School and studied literature at the University of California-Santa Cruz with a focus on science fiction and the classics. Now, at 45, he’s returned to the Wood River Valley. And he is launching the Hemmings Gallery at 340 Walnut Avenue across from the Gold Mine thrift store.
Hemmings and his wife Glin Varco will throw an opening party from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30, in conjunction with the Christmas Gallery Walk. Some of the featured artists will be here and there will be hot mulled wine and other beverages and snacks.
“I wanted to bring more art to the valley,” said Hemmings “I have this idea to bring a sense of community around art, to help artists--particularly those with ties to Sun Valley--and have a place for people to meet and gather. Art is so important to our future. As we grow, we need to look towards the future, and art should be our guiding light.”
Hemmings was exposed to art at an early age—his father David Hemmings was an English actor and director who starred opposite Vanessa Redgrave in “Blowup” and appeared in other films and TV shows such as “The Charge of the Light Brigade,” “Camelot,” “Barbarella,” “Magnum, P.I.,” “The A-Team” and “Gladiator.”
David Hemmings was also a painter, and Edward painted watercolor landscapes alongside him before branching out into oils.
His mother Pru Hemmings championed the nexStage Theater for many years, and Edward’s brother Wil and sister Charlotte have appeared in numerous plays and musicals here.
“We have great theater, a number of galleries and a music festival. I believe art is a core value of this valley and I want to create a space for people who are like-minded to enjoy art,” said Hemmings.
Hemmings will feature the work of three artists with ties to Sun Valley at the grand opening. Among them, Deborra Marshall Bohrer, who lived in Sun Valley for many years before moving to Boise a few years ago.
Her work has grown a little more abstract over the past few years, but it still dotes on her love of nature. One piece titled “First Tracks” is an interesting depiction of skiing in Sun Valley with squiggly ski runs and street patterns.
Another, titled “Nightingale” pays homage to the never-say-die citizens of the Ukraine as it features a bird rising out of the ashes with some text in the Ukrainian language.
“I’ve known Deb for years. Her work mainly uses acrylic with a large palette knife. It shows a lot of connection to the land in Idaho,” said Hemmings.
Phil Haleen grew up in Sun Valley before moving to Portland where he started out in street art and eventually evolved into an abstract artist who uses heavy-bodied oils in his works, which are full of interesting patterns and vibrant colors.
Another artist with local ties is Valerie Stuart, whose encaustic paintings are rich and colorful.
“She moved here when we did,” Hemmings recalled. “I love her use of color. She applies layer after layer of oils and varnish to create deep tones.”
In addition to artists with Sun Valley ties, Hemmings is featuring works by artists like David Rhodes, who was among artists from all over the world that the gallery’s previous owner Michael Leiner invited to Sun Valley to experiment with monotypes.
“I have an entire collection of monotypes from Aurobora fine art studio’s residency program that I will feature on a rotating basis,” said Hemmings.