STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

The museum was gone. And in its place was a pop up resembling part-nightclub and part-amusement arcade.

White plastic circles dangled like snowflakes from the ceiling of the Sun Valley Center for the Arts. Cut out trees in shades of pink and green were placed around the space. Ski boots colored shades of neon green and orange stood as centerpieces on chest-high cocktail tables.

And the installation room had been turned into a space where partygoers could express their inner Andy Warhol over large-scale cans of Campbell Soup.

The Center’s Junior Patrons Circle’s Apres After Hours: Pop Art Edition attracted a full house of mostly young adults.

“This is an incredible turnout. And it did not happen without magicians—people with creative vision,” said Christine Davis-Jeffers, The Center’s executive director.

One of the bonuses of being a museum, Jeffers said, is that museums change exhibits periodically. “Some brilliant minds said, ‘Why not turn it into a party space for a night?!’ ” she added.

Esther Williams, a 20-something events coordinator for The Center, convened a group of young creators like herself who are passionate about the arts to kick around ideas. They agreed that young adults love end-of-the-ski season opportunities to dress up in retro wear and loud colors. And they decided to pair it with vintage pop art since it was, after all, an art museum they’d be partying in.

Max Russell, a carpenter with Conrad Brothers Construction, fashioned a chairlift setup using a vintage Flying Squirrel chair. Molly Snee painted a neon-colored backdrop of ski mountains. And Halsey Pierce donated her time to photograph attendees decked out in retro ski garb.

Warfield Distillery donated the fixings for themed cocktails like the Sendy Warhol and Vodka Underground. The Haven put together an array of nibbles, including tiny chocolate mousses and popcorn balls shaped like snowballs, while Virginia McConnell pieced together The Center logo out of  frosted sugar cookie squares.

And Nellie Brown, who received an arts scholarship from The Center, spent the evening painting après ski figures on the wall, while dancer Ali Maricich treated partygoers to dance wearing skis.

“I grew up in the valley and I felt very privileged to be exposed to so much culture here,” said Williams. “I don’t think that those in their 20s through 40s who live here fully grasp what The Center has to offer them. Becoming a member, for instance, entitles you to discounted tickets and early access to concerts. And you pay for your membership with the discount you get simply by attending two concerts. I also don’t think that they realize how we schedule lectures and movies and other events to go with our BIG IDEA projects so, hopefully, they’ll learn a little of that tonight.”

One of the evening’s attractions were yard-tall outlines of Campbell Soup Cans hanging on the walls of the installation room. A table of paints invited attendees to add their touch to the images inspired by Andy Warhol’s iconic Campbell’s Soup Cans of 1962.

Painters made new friends as they painted the same can and friends delighted in one another’s creativity.

Sam Hollifield displayed her penchant for coloring within the lines as she spent more than an hour  coloring her can with yellow. Victoria Rossin and Sara Gress added arms and legs to their “Can Man.” And Zachary Tyre offered his forearm as a paint palette for Emily Wood so she didn’t have to keep returning to the table for more paint.

“This is awesome,” said Max Russell. “And it’s a good way to support what The Center does with school groups and others.”

“I wish we could’ve painted on the wall. But maybe having parameters makes it not as scary for people,” added Anne Winton.

The Junior Patrons Circle, or JPC, is designed to foster a passion for arts and culture among youngish adults and involve the next generation in The Center’s programs. JPC hosts a variety of events, such as pre-concert receptions, special exhibition tours and small gatherings with visiting artists.

“I love music and arts—they’re creative outlets for me. We’re the next generation and we need to step up and support the arts and The Center,” said Williams.

The Junior Patrons Circle is the future, noted Davis-Jeffers: “It’s not just about young people but it’s about the future of arts in our community and keeping it vibrant and fun. The arts are vital for bringing us all together and transcending any differences we have. And this town loves the arts.”