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Letters: Lack of support for artist exhibit is a perplexing problem


A perplexing problem

Editor:
I had the opportunity to attend the Jan Perkins artist exhibition and reception in the historic Echo church on Friday, May 10. The beauty of this quaint and historical venue was only enhanced by the jaw-dropping paintings created by local Summit County artist Jan Perkins. Upon closer inspection I was thrilled to see all paintings were landscapes of eastern Summit County. An amazing venue and extraordinary paintings should have been a recipe for a successful well-attended event.

But it wasn’t well attended.

As I visited with the artist, Jan Perkins, she told me it took so much energy and effort to create an exhibition of 14 stunning oil paintings. In fact, it took months to complete this undertaking. After years of following Ms. Perkins’ work I was delighted to purchase a piece of her art last December. She exhibits nationally in museums and shows. What a coup to have an artist of this caliber in our midst. So, what happened?



Not only was the exhibit held in the historic Echo church as previously mentioned, it was also part of the historic celebration of Spike 150, which commemorated the completion of the transcontinental railroad. I was so perplexed that it was poorly attended that I did something I wouldn’t normally do. I asked the artist how the event had been advertised. I didn’t see it in the Arts Council newsletter or on social media or even in this publication. I am thrilled that our community has various art councils such as the Park City Summit County Arts Council and Summit County Project ABC, which help to promote our local artists. Maybe this event slipped through the cracks or is it really up to individual artists to advertise this kind of event?

If it is just a matter of communication let’s clear it up and support our local artists.



Charlene Harding Johnson
Park City


Letters perpetuate misinformation

Editor:
Do letters to the editor in The Park Record unintentionally perpetuate “fake news?” What is the nature of “opinion” as it relates to a newspaper’s intent to provide such a forum?

Maybe what clouds the issue is a difference between categories of what a reader opines about. Is an opinion about an experience with unleashed dogs on public trails the same as statements about renewable energy economics or the proposed carbon tax when supported by published peer review data or alleged facts? The two seem different to me in that one is more of an opinion and the other an informed statement. You can argue an opinion about a statement but can you have an opinion about a scientific or researched fact?

Recently, I have read at least three letters in the Record addressing climate change that state either inaccuracies or half truths about the costs of eliminating or reducing co2 emissions, misinformation about the side effects of nuclear energy and their related disasters and our inability to address the recycling of solar panels. Note that there are easy to “Google” published articles and papers from credible sources that address, and challenge, the stated opinions about each of the above issues.

I know that an opinion page is not meant to be a scientific journal but if letters are judged worthy of printing that represent a known basis of facts and research, i.e. science, could the Record include information about the author’s credentials to make such a claim? And I would ask the author to make some reference to sources that support their position. In that regard I will be more inclined to explore more information about their perspective and less inclined to add their opinion to the growing list of “Fake News” or “alternative facts.”

Doug Vilnius
Summit Park


Brighter, greener future

Editor:
I am currently a junior attending Park City High School as well as a dedicated Recycle Utah intern. I stand with a large number of Park City youth that support the idea of a Summit County plastic bag ban. Park City is well known as a progressive town, especially after passing our very own Park City bag ban back in May of 2017. Through proper example and support from the community, we have proven that a bag ban isn’t as impractical as it’s made out to be, so why not expand it? Climate change and environmental degradation is a global problem for which there is no single nor simple fix. Our love affair with single use plastics has proven to be wasteful and destructive, but we can take steps to avoid adding to the mess that plugs up our landfills and litters our land. The expansion of a local bag ban is a perfect baby step in the right direction. By the time I graduate in 2020, I hope to see this ban passed to ensure I’m leaving our beautiful Summit County with a brighter, greener future.

Caroline Powell
Park City

Letters

Like there aren’t enough gas stations

The article published on March 8, “A Maverik gas station could be coming to Quinn’s Junction,” paints a pretty dire picture for motorists searching for fuel in and around Park City.



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