STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
The Ketchum Arts Commission and Sun Valley Resort will cut the ribbon on a new gondola car bursting with art at 4:30 p.m. Monday, July 2, at the River Run Plaza. A reception will follow.
Car No. 43 is the third wrap to be added to the gondola taking riders to the Roundhouse on Bald Mountain.
This one was donated by Windy City Arts and sponsored by the City of Ketchum.
The art, created by Boise artist Claire Remsberg, features work that was inspired by scenes of Big Wood River and Trail Creek that she painted on site using oil on canvas. She has called the work "Big Wood Trio," as the three panels covering the car boast such names as "Big Wood Wave Parade," "A Stick in the Big Wood" and "Big Wood Wavy."
The project is a part of the Cover Art program by the City of Ketchum Arts Commission and was completed with the support of the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.
Sun Valley Resort is a leader in gondola art.
Ketchum Mayor Neil Bradshaw says it's great to see art flying through the mountain on a gondola.
And others agree.
"Everyone on the Ketchum Arts Commission was just thrilled to be able to wrap a third gondola car with original artwork by Idaho artist Claire Remsberg," aid Courtney Gilbert, the Ketchum Arts Commission's chairperson. "Wrapping gondola cars provide us with a wonderful opportunity to fulfill the mission of the organization--the integration of arts and culture in the life of the community--and also a chance to work with a range of partners from Sun Valley Resort to the U.S. Forest Service and BLM."
Windy City Arts owners Troy and Linda Larsen said they volunteered to sponsor the wrap because they've enjoyed the opportunity to rap the two previous gondola cars, as well as the utility boxes around Ketchum.
"Troy loves the gondola project and wanted to give back to the Wood River Valley," said Fred Avila, who wrapped the colorful vinyl on the gondola car with Chad Huckaby.
One of the other two gondola cars feature a scene of the Boulder Mountains painted by Ketchum artist Ralph Harris, while the other features a mandala and a scene inspired by last summer's total solar eclipse.