Jackson Hole Public Art to Celebrate the Opening of the “Square to Summit” Project on June 14, 2023 at Snow King Mountain
JACKSON, WY - The community is invited to celebrate a new public art project that proudly highlights Jackson’s unique ski cultural identity, history, and people on Wednesday, June 14th in the old ballpark field at the base of Snow King. Jackson Hole Public Art, the Town of Jackson, Snow King Mountain Resort, and over 30 project supporters welcome the community to the base of Snow King from 5-7pm with live music, food & drink. Remarks and a ribbon-cutting ceremony to take place at 5:30pm.
The Square to Summit Opening Party will include live music by MOJO, grill-out style food for purchase from Buffalo Bill’s food truck and free beer from Snake River Brewing. Local Snow King enthusiasts are invited to share their personal memories of Snow King’s Summit Lift, in the MobileStudio for potential inclusion in a documentary being created by local photographer, Sam Pope.
The entire community is welcome and encouraged to celebrate the opening of a huge creative placemaking project that connects downtown Jackson to the summit of Snow King.
“This project celebrates Jackson’s unique cultural identity, history, and people by elevating local ski culture, its heritage, and our landscape,” Jackson Hole Public Art states. “The installations will provide a place to be outdoors, relax, connect, and discover the history of Snow King Mountain.”
ABOUT THE SQUARE TO SUMMIT PROJECT
The Square to Summit project is a collaboration between public and private sectors facilitated by JH Public Art that began in 2020. It was made possible by Snow King Resort, the Town of Jackson, Snow King Recreation Management Association, the Community Foundation of JH, Bank of JH, and 30 community sponsors. The "Square to Summit" project repurposes 25 chairs from the Snow King Summit lift donated by Snow King Mountain to build a walking corridor from the Town Square to the top of Snow King. Locations include plaques sponsored by Wyoming Humanities Council and the Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund created by the Jackson Hole Historical Society and Museum that feature historical photographs and stories. The concept of chairlift swings and benches was originally conceived during the pandemic by former Chamber President, Anna Olson. Olson states, “During a time of isolation and space restrictions, nothing seemed more desirable than the idea of sitting in open space with a friend and enjoying your surroundings. Building a connection to downtown with a series of chairs that had such an incredible history, while providing somewhere to sit and chat or reflect was easy to envision. I am so grateful to all who turned the idea into a reality. It’s better than I could have hoped for.”
JH Public Art stewarded the project through the fundraising, fabrication, and installation phases.
“Projects with multiple partners and host sites take time to bring to fruition, and the Square to Summit project represents a fantastic community collaboration that connects our ski culture and unique history to highly accessible public locations for residents and visitors to discover and enjoy. This project would not be possible without the steadfast commitment of the Town of Jackson, Snow King Resort, Premier Powder Coating, Westwood Curtis, and all the sponsors and host sites saying YES, let’s make this project happen,” says Jackson Hole Public Art director, Carrie Geraci.
The majority of benches and swings along the Cache corridor are being installed this week and next. Due to the high snow accumulation on the top of Snow King, the benches and swings for the upper mountain will be installed as the ground dries out and heavy equipment can access the mountain.
Click here to see more on this project and the support that brought it to life.
Title sponsors:
Bank of Jackson Hole
Community Foundation of Jackson Hole
JH Chamber of Commerce
JH Historical Society & Museum
JH Public Art
Newton Foundation
Premier Powder Coating & Custom Fabrication
Snow King Mountain
Snow King Resort Master Association (SKRMA)
Town of Jackson
Westwood Curtis Construction
Community Sponsors:
Anvil Hotel
Berkshire Hathaway
Center for the Arts
CN Engineers
Deb and Peter Keenan & Family
Erika Pearsall & Ned Jannotta
Gallery Wild
Guild Mortgage
Haagen Dazs
Hotel Jackson
In loving memory of Karen Oatey
JD High Country Outfitters
JH Jewelry Co.
JH Wildlife Safaris
Jorgensen Engineering
The Kudar
Lee's Tees
Made JH
Million Dollar Cowboy Bar
Nelson Engineering
Northworks Architects
Pinky G's Pizzeria
Snow King Resort Hotel
Stio
The Lexington at JH
The Liquor Store
Town Square Inns
Two Ocean Builders
Two Ocean Trust
Wort Hotel
Wyoming Cultural Trust Fund
Wyoming Humanities
Jackson Hole Public Art forges partnerships for the integration of art into any environment, to inspire lasting cultural, educational, and economic benefits. JHPA places temporary and permanent artworks and produces community-minded, artist-driven projects for public spaces. Public art invigorates and transforms, welcoming locals and visitors to a collective experience that builds community.
