News
Outdoors
ENLARGE
Trails and Vistas offers the opportunity to take in both breathtaking views of nature and imaginative, interactive art.
“It's about embracing environmental awareness through the arts,” said Nancy Tieken Lopez, Trails and Vistas artistic and executive director. “It's a unique way to showcase the importance of taking care of our well-being through our creative self, and taking care of our home, our land.”
The seventh annual art hikes will be Sept. 11-12 at Shirley Canyon at Squaw Valley USA in Olympic Valley (North Lake Tahoe) and will feature music, installation art, dance, poetry and storytelling.
Trails and Vistas' mission is to create art experiences in nature that inspire environmental awareness.
Lopez, 42, found her fascination with the connection between people, art, environment and place while she was completing her master's degree in fine arts at California State University, San Jose.
“It's so important that when we fall in love with something, we value it,” she said. “This is showcasing this land, this beauty, and helps people to embrace it. That's what we're trying to do, make the connection between person and place, and we're doing it through the arts,” the Truckee resident said.
This year, Trails and Vistas' theme is “If Dreams Were Clouds.” Like the location, the theme changes every year.
“Everyone brings something very different to the theme of dreams,” Lopez said. “Some of them are fantasy, some are weird, some are uplifting.”
That's how we look at the different artists, she added.
The theme allows artists to play with the concept of imagination, dreamtime and fluidity; it's left as open as possible to allow each artist and participant to create their own experience.
Participants gather in small groups and are led by guides on the two and a half mile hike, pausing at the myriad art venues along the way. The hike can be strenuous and will gain more than 1,000 feet in elevation. Groups depart every 15 minutes throughout the two days. Keep pets and camera at home.
Meditative and leisure hikes are also offered.
“It's been so fun to experience the environment, going out there and scouting the trail,” Lopez said. Artists walk the trail several times before the event, looking for a site that speaks to them. “Every season is beautiful in Shirley Canyon.”
The San Francisco dance ensemble Capacitor headlines the more than featured 20 artisans. The Banana Slug String Band is the featured artist for Sept. 12. Returning artists include Angelika's Healing Music and InnerRhythms Dance Theatre.
Money raised by the event goes to future art hikes and Trails and Vistas' free, art-based community workshops.
“Our goals are to expand into student field trips, weaving in science education with the arts,” said Lopez.
Trails and Vistas art hikes are presented in collaboration with a number of other nonprofits, including Truckee Donner Land Trust and Arts for the Schools.
To contact Reader Liaison Angela Diaz, e-mail adiaz@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4203.
“It's about embracing environmental awareness through the arts,” said Nancy Tieken Lopez, Trails and Vistas artistic and executive director. “It's a unique way to showcase the importance of taking care of our well-being through our creative self, and taking care of our home, our land.”
The seventh annual art hikes will be Sept. 11-12 at Shirley Canyon at Squaw Valley USA in Olympic Valley (North Lake Tahoe) and will feature music, installation art, dance, poetry and storytelling.
Trails and Vistas' mission is to create art experiences in nature that inspire environmental awareness.
Lopez, 42, found her fascination with the connection between people, art, environment and place while she was completing her master's degree in fine arts at California State University, San Jose.
“It's so important that when we fall in love with something, we value it,” she said. “This is showcasing this land, this beauty, and helps people to embrace it. That's what we're trying to do, make the connection between person and place, and we're doing it through the arts,” the Truckee resident said.
This year, Trails and Vistas' theme is “If Dreams Were Clouds.” Like the location, the theme changes every year.
“Everyone brings something very different to the theme of dreams,” Lopez said. “Some of them are fantasy, some are weird, some are uplifting.”
That's how we look at the different artists, she added.
The theme allows artists to play with the concept of imagination, dreamtime and fluidity; it's left as open as possible to allow each artist and participant to create their own experience.
Participants gather in small groups and are led by guides on the two and a half mile hike, pausing at the myriad art venues along the way. The hike can be strenuous and will gain more than 1,000 feet in elevation. Groups depart every 15 minutes throughout the two days. Keep pets and camera at home.
Meditative and leisure hikes are also offered.
“It's been so fun to experience the environment, going out there and scouting the trail,” Lopez said. Artists walk the trail several times before the event, looking for a site that speaks to them. “Every season is beautiful in Shirley Canyon.”
The San Francisco dance ensemble Capacitor headlines the more than featured 20 artisans. The Banana Slug String Band is the featured artist for Sept. 12. Returning artists include Angelika's Healing Music and InnerRhythms Dance Theatre.
Money raised by the event goes to future art hikes and Trails and Vistas' free, art-based community workshops.
“Our goals are to expand into student field trips, weaving in science education with the arts,” said Lopez.
Trails and Vistas art hikes are presented in collaboration with a number of other nonprofits, including Truckee Donner Land Trust and Arts for the Schools.
To contact Reader Liaison Angela Diaz, e-mail adiaz@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4203.
