Get Inspired
7 Fun Ways to Spark Your Creativity
Dive into the Park City's artsy scene, or just test the waters with a drop-in experience.
Unleash culinary creativity with a local cooking class.
Image: Locke Hughes
hWile Park City may be best known for its world-class outdoor pursuits, our mountain town also boasts a flourishing arts and culture scene. All year long, creative classes take place at many local businesses and organizations, from painting and photography, to glass-blowing and ballet.
“Most of us moved here for the great outdoors, but the creative community that exists in Park City and Summit County is what makes our mountain lifestyle vibrant,” says Jocelyn Scudder, executive director of Park City Summit County Arts Council. “There are so many cultural and creative experiences to be had whether you're a local or visiting”
Don’t worry; Picasso-worthy skills aren’t necessary. Regardless of your artistic experience (or lack thereof), you’re bound to find a class where you’ll feel inspired, boost your creativity, and most importantly, have fun. Here are several ways to get involved in the arts scene—any time of year.
Image: Courtesy Kimball Art Center
Park City’s well-established arts and cultural hub offers a packed schedule year-round with classes for artists of all ages in a wide range of mediums, from pastels to photography. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly painting class or a figure drawing session for adults, Kimball Art Center has you covered. Not afraid to get your hands dirty? Sign up for an introduction to wheel-throwing or a day-long welding workshop.
Cost: Starting at $5; varies according to type of class
Find the latest class schedule here.
Let your inner artist out to play with colors, shapes, and fire at this local glass-blowing studio, where you’ll work hands-on with hot glass (under the supervision of a pro, of course). Choose the type of blown-glass art you want to create, ranging from an ornament to a large glass bowl and even a pumpkin, perfect for this time of year. Or heat up date night with an hour-long session, where you can enjoy BYOB food and drink while creating up to four hot-glass items with your partner.
Cost: Starting at $25
Spice up your culinary knowledge by taking a class at this gourmet olive-oil shop on Historic Main Street. Taught by local chef, Deanna Fitchat, The Next Course is a tasting class featuring three to five recipes with optional wine pairings. Classes are hosted in a gorgeous event space in Mountain Town Olive Oil, and happen every one to two weeks. Themes change with the seasons — for example, Thanksgiving Sides is slated for November, while Make-Ahead Camping Meals takes place in May.
Cost: Starting at $50
Channel that inner Picasso at The Paint Mixer.
Image: Locke Hughes
In the heart of downtown Park City, the Paint Mixer offers step-by-step painting classes taught by talented local artists. The instructors’ down-to-earth approach makes creating a display-worthy work of art doable for anyone (trust me), while the curated music playlists also help get your creative juices flowing. Guests 21 and older can also sip wine and beer from local producers to loosen up even more as they put paint brush to canvas.
Cost: Starting at $35
Click here for the Paint Mixer’s calendar of events.
Image: Courtesy Ballet West
Inspired by classic ballet films, from Black Swan to Swan Lake? Yearning to develop better posture and more grace? Just want to have some fun while learning new moves? We suggest signing up for a dance class at Ballet West Academy. The Park City dance studio hosts adult ballet classes for all levels, from beginner to advanced. Either drop in for a one-time class, or sign up for a five-week workshop to level up your skills.
Cost: Starting at $15 drop-in class for adults, $10 for seniors and students
Bring out your inner Barefoot Contessa with Mindful Cuisine’s thoughtful and fun cooking classes, held at the beautiful home of owners, Chef Linda Elbert and her husband, Larry. Guests will enjoy a hands-on cooking lesson and demonstration, and you’re guaranteed to new skills but also confidence in the kitchen — under Chef Linda’s guidance, even the most complex recipes will seem simpler (and more fun) to make than expected.
Cost: Starting at $85
View the calendar and reserve your spot here.
Park City Library Book Club
Grab a cup of coffee, get lost in a good book, and enjoy eye-opening discussions with new friends when you attend the monthly book club meetings at the Park City library. Books range from non-fiction picks such as Marie Kondo’s The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up to fiction, like November’s pick, The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri. The library also hosts an LGBTQ+ book club (open to all!), which explores a wide-ranging selection of fiction and nonfiction literature focused on the LBGTQ+ community.
Cost: Free
Check out the fall schedule here, and call 435-615-5600 for more details and to sign up.
