STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

The Friedman Memorial Airport is throwing a party to thank artists of the Wood River Valley who have shared artwork in the passenger terminal since it opened a couple years ago.

The party, open to the public, will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 25, in the Passenger Terminal Lobby.

Hors d’oeuvres from local food vendors and wine will be served.

That same night the community is invited to a Van Gogh Community Art Show from 5 to 7 p.m. at Gail Severn Gallery in Ketchum.

The show will feature interpretations of Van Gogh’s “Starry Night,” with some Bald Mountain twists, as well as some other works painted by local professional artists and members of such organizations as the Blaine County Drug Coalition.

Much of the art will be for sale, with the money going towards NAMI-WRV, which offers educational events supporting mental wellbeing and support groups for those dealing with mental health issues.

The project seeks to end the stigma of a man long misunderstood, just as NAMI is working to end the stigma of mental illness in the community, said Christine Cernansky, NAMI’s director.

“It is well known that Vincent van Gogh had a mental illness and the painting depicts the view from the east-facing window of his asylum room. He was misunderstood in his time and he never sold one of his paintings. Now every one of his works is worth millions of dollars,” said Cernansky. “In spite of his mental health challenges, he was able to create beauty that continues to inspire.”