There is, I suppose, a certain foolishness in attempting to adequately represent the life and history of a river through some drawings, photographs, a few words and notes. And while I wouldn’t presume that the entirety of the Salmon River with all of its physical verity, human and animal uses is present here, the four creative individuals who have offered their personal perspectives did an amazingly thorough job of capturing what we know to be the life and spirit of this waterway. I thank them for their commitment, their energy and their willingness to step off the cliff and into the void of unknown terrain. Risk taking is fraught will potential pitfalls so it is incredible that each of these artists was not only willing to explore new territory and new processes, but also that each met that challenge with such success.

Exhibitions and projects of this scale are by necessity a collaboration of many people. Each of the four creative participants was asked to go out and spend time in and along the Salmon River. Each of those adventures was conducted separately and each required the cooperation, assistance and enthusiasm of many. The Center is deeply grateful for the support, guidance and advice of acquaintances and strangers whose open hearts and minds enabled us to entrust our artists to them and their country. Prior to each of the sections of this book are acknowledgements of those who pitched in and helped along the way.

There seems to be no dearth of worthy ideas generated by the Center’s staff and Board. The issue is not what should we do, but what can we do justice to--what will be of interest to our members, patrons, our community? The Salmon River project came to be because the staff and Board agreed that a project that paid homage to a river in our backyard, and that highlighted the significance of water to our past and our future was important. Also that is was an endeavor that would bring together all of our disciplines as well as the multiple interests of this sophisticated community that cares deeply about the physical place we all call home.

What makes this project different from others is that we weren’t assembling a body of already composed art work but were asking for new work to be made specifically in response to the river. The prose, music and images that are included here would not have been created without the support of a handful of generous people who believed in the value of the project and in creating new opportunities for artists. Because of them the Center was able to commission these works. Michael and Leslie Engl came forward first with significant and generous support. Judy and Richard Smooke and Jeri Waxenberg and her family foundation followed shortly with substantial gifts. Kathy Abelson has long endorsed providing opportunities for contemporary composers and was eager to underwrite Evan Ziporyn’s piece. The Idaho Humanities Council stepped forward to support Mark Trahant’s essay. The Allen Foundation’s generous contribution enabled this catalog to take more substantial form. All of these combined energies—those of the artists, the patrons and the organization—are reflected here. None would be possible without the other and each required a trust and commitment that is nothing short of astonishing. The Whole Salmon project combines a commitment to community, to the arts and to future that is encouraging for the river as well as for the families and cultures it has seen and will continue to see.
Kristin Poole
June, 2003
Back to Introduction
The Sun Valley Center for the Arts Post Office Box 656, Sun Valley,
Idaho 83353

191 Fifth Street East, Ketchum
P: 208.726.9491
Email: information@sunvalleycenter.org
www.sunvalleycenter.org

The gallery is always free and open to the public.