Fine artists, creative entrepreneurs and artisan makers and agricultural producers are encouraged to submit applications for the 2025 Summit Arts Showcase that will be held on July 12 at the Red Barn in Oakley.
Application deadline is end of the day on Friday, May 23, and applications can be submitted by visiting pcscarts.org/summit-artsmarket, said Jocelyn Scudder, Arts Council of Park City & Summit County executive director.
“The Summit Arts Market is one of our longest-running events we produce as an arts council,” she said. “It predates my time, and it’s one of the core ways we showcase our support for quality and creative arts programming that spans throughout the county.”
The Arts Council established the market nearly 40 years ago to bring an art event to the east side of Summit County, according to Scudder.
“It’s no secret that there is a lot of arts programming that is concentrated on the west side of the country, which includes Park City,” she said. “So, as an Arts Council, we work to help distribute quality arts programming in the area. It’s important for Oakley residents and generally residents of the Kamas Valley to have quality arts programming that is family friendly and fun in their own backyard, instead of having to travel to Park City.”
The Summit Arts Market used to be held at Cattleman’s Hall, located next to Oakley City Hall, but outgrew the venue, Scudder said.
“The Red Barn was constructed in the mid 2010s, and it became a wonderful venue and backdrop for this event,” she said.
The barn, located at 4300 S.R. 32, was a bonded project that benefited from the Recreation, Arts and Parks (RAP) cultural grant that Oakley City received a few years ago, and it helped expand the market’s number of artists and vendors, Scudder said.
“We used to set up between 18 to 20 people inside,” she said. “It originally focused on being a fine-art show, and while it’s still a goal to support fine artists, we decided to expand its scope to artisanal crafters, creative entrepreneurs and agricultural and self-care producers — people who make honey or skin care.”
The idea to set up artists outside the barn came during the coronavirus pandemic.
“COVID-19 forced many organizations to pivot our events to be safe and include social distancing,” Scudder said. “So, in 2020, we brought this event outside, and people loved it. They loved seeing artists outside in the summer.”
After the health department deemed it safe to gather indoors, the Summit Arts Market kept the outdoor setup in addition to indoor booths, Scudder said.
“Last year the market showcased upwards of 30 vendors, and we may even surpass that to 30 or 40 this year, depending on how many applications we get,” she said.
Scudder enjoys seeing the different types of creative residents who submit applications.
“We have a strong and homegrown network of artists who look forward to and participate every year, and it’s nice to see someone who’s new in the community and who is learning about this opportunity,” she said.
Not only does the public get the benefit of meeting local artists and artisan entrepreneurs during the market. The creative individuals themselves get to meet new creatives and rekindle old friendships, Scudder said.
“I love seeing the artistic community come together for events like this, and we’re excited to proceed with the 2025 event,” she said.
The Summit Arts Market is scheduled for July 12, and applications are open at pcscarts.org/summit-artsmarket.
