Trace Skeen, the project leader for the outdoor art galleries created by the Cache Valley Morning Rotary Club, said he found his inspiration after judging various school district art competitions. He wanted to create a space for both students and elderly individuals to showcase talents that may otherwise stay hidden.
“I think about a resident of a nursing home or something, the opportunity for her grandchildren or even their great-grandchildren to go out and see their grandma's artwork, and see that even at her elderly age, she's still contributing to the community," Skeen said. "And I think that's just a great opportunity. And then for the younger people, like the students, it gives them confidence that they can make contributions using their talents for the community.”
Last year the club’s first outdoor gallery was installed and this weekend, there will be an open house to celebrate the club’s second exhibit. Artists for the project were found through word of mouth, Skeen said.
The featured artists are inspired by the outdoors and a few of Skeen's favorite pieces include one with an owl attacking a mouse and another with people kayaking down a river.
One artist Skeen admires is a lady who due to an injury became spasticated.
"She can’t hardly function because of the spasticity of her limbs and arms and hands, and because you put a paintbrush in them, and then she can paint," Skeen said. "So that's her method of expression. And she did one this year of a buffalo drinking water from the stream.”
The gallery opening on Saturday is located at Benson Mariana. In the future, Skeen said they also hope to open a gallery next to the Logan River.
