The Future of Our Forests: A Talk with Dieter Fenkart-Froeschl As economies evolve and technology reshapes industries, America faces new questions about the role of natural spaces and public lands. With growing interest in domestic production like manufacturing, mining, and timber harvesting we’re being called to rethink the value and purpose of these shared resources. Join Dieter Fenkart-Froeschl, President & CEO of the National Forest Foundation, for a compelling talk on the history of public lands and the current challenges facing our National Forests. Learn how the Foundation is driving innovation, scalable solutions, and community partnerships to ensure healthy, resilient forests that support sustainable local economies. Registration is recommended to attend in person.
Argyros Fall 2025 Season Launch Party
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Amazing Community! Thank you to our community for your incredible and ongoing support. It’s because of you that we’re able to continue doing what we love, and as a small token of our appreciation, we’re excited to invite you to a special open house event! Join us as we open our doors and give you an exclusive sneak peek at our exciting upcoming fall season. This is our chance to say thank you in person, and we’re making it an event to remember. You’ll have the opportunity to mingle with our team, learn more about the performances and programs we have planned, and immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of our space. Private donor appreciation event will be held from 5:30PM – 7:00PM.
Sun Valley Story Tour
The Wood River Museum of History and Culture and Mountain Rides invite you to a one-hour free bus tour highlighting the area’s rich heritage. On this tour, you will learn about the area’s most historic locales, including the Horace Lewis home and the mining history, the Brass Ranch barn and the Union Pacific Railroad’s purchase of the Brass Ranch, the first ski lifts in the world, and more. Fridays at 10:00 am, from July 11 to August 29. Advance registration is recommended as space is limited. Sign up in person at the Sun Valley Visitor Center located at 491 Sun Valley Road in Ketchum, or by calling or emailing the Visitor Center at (208) 726-3423 | info@visitsunvalley.com. For all Friday Sun Valley Story Tours, meet at the Visitor Center at 10am for a prompt departure at 10:15am. In July, the bus tour may be shortened slightly due to road construction. In the event that the tour is shorter, we will give participants the option of adding a short walking tour within Ketchum at the end. That tour will include the Ore Wagon Museum, historic houses, and the old Congregational Church, and will finish up at the Wood River Museum of History …
Why Sun Valley is the Original Mountain Town
Written by Hayden Seder The West is full of unique mountain towns, with storied histories, small-town charm, and retaining the kind of values that drew people to them in the first place. But few can compare to Sun Valley, which many argue is the “original” mountain town, and has been able to maintain so much of the original allure that made it such. A truly unique confluence of community, culture, and wilderness, Sun Valley is still the perfect mountain town that it was throughout its storied history, from its start as a mining town to becoming the country’s first ski resort. Photo courtesy of The Community Library Center for Regional History Mining History Though the Sun Valley area has been populated for thousands of years, from when Indigenous members of the Shoshone, Bannock, and Lemhi tribes migrated to the area, the Sun Valley we know today began to take shape with the discovery of gold in the West in the 1870s. European settlers and prospectors began to settle in the area, searching for gold (and ultimately forcing out the tribes that had settled in the area). By the early 1880s, the discovery of silver, lead, and other minerals had led …
Dana Hart-Stone: Americana
Dana Hart-Stone’s digital paintings are rooted in a deep engagement with the historical and cultural fabric of the American West. His childhood explorations of abandoned homesteads in Eastern Montana fostered a fascination with the fragmented narratives of settler life and the broader, often obscured, histories of the American frontier. These formative encounters continue to inform his work, now expressed through meticulously composed digital paintings constructed from vintage vernacular photographs. These recontextualized images investigate intersecting themes of race, gender, sexual identity, class, and socioeconomic struggle. Dana Hart-Stone’s work powerfully reframes collective memory, challenging dominant national narratives and creating space for the voices and faces of the historically marginalized to finally be seen and heard.
Distinct Visions: Icons and Innovators in Photography
Gilman Contemporary presents, Distinct Visions: Icons and Innovations in Photography, a curated selection of photographic works by contemporary artists who have significantly influenced the visual language of photography. Spanning genres such as fashion, landscape, and portraiture, the images on display are not bound by a singular theme, but by an enduring, distinct, and powerfully expressive vision. Each photograph bears the unmistakable imprint of its creator, serving as a timeless testament to the art of seeing. Featured artists include Flavia Junqueira, Rodney Smith, JP Terlizzi, Maria Svarbova, Laurie Victor Kay, Ellie Davies, and Dana Hart-Stone.
Gallery Walk: Frances McCormack – Collage
Frances McCormack’s lush botanical abstractions reflect a freedom of expression honed through years of artistic practice. In 2019, she turned to collage, a medium that allowed her to work on a smaller scale. This shift required a change in approach, as collage demands patience—a quality McCormack muses she wishes she had learned earlier. The process involves a meticulous search for perfect details, whether from a drawing, photograph, or instruction manual. Though smaller in scale, McCormack’s collages carry the same energy as her large-scale paintings, referencing the natural world through the lens of the marvelous. These works invite interpretation and are structured organically, like the walled gardens and spaces she has sought out for inspiration. Her travels to Italy, Spain, Turkey, Mexico, and her home state of California have provided thoughtful respites where the noise of everyday life fades, allowing creativity to flourish.
Frances McCormack: Collage
Frances McCormack’s lush botanical abstractions reflect a freedom of expression honed over years of artistic practice. In 2019, she turned her focus to collage, enabling her to work on a smaller, more intimate scale. This shift required her to slow down and embrace the art of patience, meticulously selecting details from drawings, photographs, and instruction manuals. These smaller-scale works retain the energy of her large paintings, interpreting the natural world through a lens of the marvelous. McCormack’s images unfold organically, echoing the structure and stillness of the walled gardens and contemplative spaces that inspire her during travels to Italy, Spain, Turkey, Mexico, and her native California. Like these natural havens, her collages offer thoughtful respite, places where the noise of daily life gives way to a quiet sanctuary of calm and creativity.
Commerce Connections – Bridging Resources
JOIN US FOR THE COMMERCE CONNECTIONS EVENT SERIES We are hitting the road! The Idaho Department of Commerce is excited to announce its newest event series: Commerce Connection: Bridging Resources where our team will travel across the state to connect with community-focused individuals, businesses, experts and professionals. At the event, you’ll hear from industry leaders, engage with speakers and panelists on key trends and network with potential partners. Discover valuable tools, funding opportunities and events to benefit your business or community. Get inspired by success stories and innovative ideas to spark new initiatives. Local businesses, economic developers, elected officials and community leaders are encouraged to attend. Agenda: 8:00 a.m. | Registration, Refreshments and Networking 8:30 a.m. | Introductions and Housekeeping 8:45 a.m. | Commerce and Partners Updates 9:45 a.m. | Break, Refreshments and Networking 10:15 a.m. | Community Sharing 11:15 a.m. | Q & A 11:45 a.m. | Wrap up 12:00 p.m. | Adjourn Register HERE. Times and agenda items are subject to change. Presentation handouts will be available during the event. For any questions or if you are interested in participating in this or future events, please contact Sharon Canaday/Idaho Department of Commerce/208-703-0270/Sharon.Canaday@commerce.idaho.gov
Community Greenhouses Volunteering
Our gardens and greenhouses connect our community over the joy of growing good food. Through education and agriculture, these feel-good growing spaces help inspire a resilient future for all members of Blaine County. Thursday Shifts: 10:30am-12:00pm No Sign Up Required!