The Kimball Art Center in Park City, Utah, has launched two engaging art exhibits titled "Returning to Wonder" and "All Sketches Wish to Be Real," which explore the intricate relationships between nature and alternate realities. The exhibits opened to the public on Friday and will continue to offer a rich array of artistic experiences until May 3 and March 8, respectively. Kimball Art Center curator Nancy Stoaks expressed her enthusiasm for these new additions, highlighting their relevance to the local community and the universal themes of awe and imagination that they embody. "Returning to Wonder" showcases a diverse range of works from acclaimed artists such as Erika Blumenfeld, Lia Halloran, Nina Katchadourian, Josiah McElheny, Katie Paterson, Pipilotti Rist, Diana Thater, Reuben Wu, and local talents Alexandra Fuller and Kellie Bornhoft. This exhibit fills four of the Kimball’s exhibition halls and aims to rekindle the audience's relationship with the natural world through various artistic mediums, including photography, glass sculptures, and immersive video installations. Stressing the importance of nature in the Park City community, Stoaks explained, "Our relationship to the natural world is something that is always relevant to our community here in Park City. I’m always trying to think of exhibitions that will be really meaningful and reflect the values and interests of the folks who live and visit here." This thoughtful approach led to the conceptualization of the current exhibits, which encourage viewers to engage with the beauty and complexity of nature in new and inspiring ways. Among the standout pieces in "Returning to Wonder" are video installations by Diana Thater and Pipilotti Rist. Thater’s work is a floor-based installation, while Rist’s vibrant piece, titled "Peeping Freedom for Franziska Schutzbach," features a vertical flatscreen embedded in a wooden printed window frame. Stoaks noted that both artists are at the forefront of immersive video art, making their contributions particularly noteworthy in the context of the exhibit. Another highlight is a captivating sculpture by Katie Paterson, constructed from nearly 100 festoon lights that collectively form the Phoenix constellation. Stoaks mentioned, "Katie Paterson is one of the first artists I thought about for the show, and this exhibit grew out of there," underscoring Paterson's significance in the exhibit's thematic exploration of wonder and imagination. In contrast, the smaller exhibit "All Sketches Wish to Be Real" focuses on the creative potential of imagination. This exhibit features works by Alexandra Fuller, Antra Sinha, and Elpitha Tsoutsounakis, with Fuller’s cyanotypes of raptors highlighting the beauty and fragility of the natural world. Fuller collaborated with Hawkwatch International, a Utah-based raptor conservation nonprofit, to photograph these majestic birds, infusing her work with themes of conservation and alternative realities. Sinha contributes ceramic pieces, while Tsoutsounakis invites community participation through a project aimed at reimagining the grid of the Salt Lake Valley. Stoaks believes the imaginative focus of this smaller show resonates with some of the ideas presented in "Returning to Wonder," making it a complementary addition to the overall exhibition experience. To further enhance the visitor experience, Stoaks has organized a series of programming events alongside the exhibits. These include workshops led by artists such as Alex Fuller and Antra Sinha, as well as a unique musical performance by Salt Lake City-based musician Chaz Prymek. Prymek will engage in a style known as comprovisation, a blend of composed and improvised music, followed by an art-talk conversation with Fuller. Additionally, the Kimball Art Center is collaborating with the Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter and the Wasatch Mountain Institute to provide interactive experiences related to the exhibits. The Swaner Preserve will host an exhibit titled "Life on the Edge," featuring an array of natural specimens, while the Wasatch Mountain Institute will organize a dark-sky activity, further connecting the exhibits to the local environment. Stoaks expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to curate these exhibits at the Kimball Art Center, reflecting on how the space has transformed into a platform for powerful storytelling through art. She stated, "I love when I see the space come to life with these stories that I’ve been thinking about for many months in totally new ways with new pieces from all over the world. It has allowed us to present some exhibitions that tell powerful stories and create a place for reflection and connection." For those interested in experiencing these thought-provoking exhibits, "Returning to Wonder" is available for viewing until May 3, while "All Sketches Wish to Be Real" will be on display until March 8. Both exhibits are located at the Kimball Art Center, 1251 Kearns Blvd., and further information can be found on their website at www.kimballartcenter.org.