From Thursday, July 2, through Sunday, July 5, Main Street Park transforms into the heartbeat of Heber City, buzzing with music, laughter, and red, white and blue pride. At its core, the festival is about one simple idea: bringing people together. Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of volunteers has spent months planning every detail to create a weekend that feels festive, welcoming, and full of hometown pride. A special thank you to committee members Kelleen Potter, Rachel Kahler, Jessica Broadhead, Dallin Koecher, Colleen Bonner, Matt Brower, Lana North, and Phil Jordan for bringing this celebration to life.

The festivities kick off Thursday evening with Heber Market on Main from 5–9 PM, the perfect way to ease into the weekend with local vendors, great food, Heber Valley Brewery, and community connection.

By Friday night, the energy builds as the park comes alive for a free community concert at 7 PM. The evening is filled with powerful and patriotic moments, from a flag salute by JROTC and a performance by the Heber Valley Drumline, to the National Anthem by Mia Walker and the uplifting voices of the America Sings! Children’s Choir. Live music continues with Shannon Runyon and a Toby Keith tribute by American Soldier, before the sky lights up with a spectacular drone show at 10 PM, blending modern celebration with timeless tradition.

Saturday is where the festival truly hits its stride. The day begins with a flag-raising ceremony, then quickly unfolds into a full day of activity and fun. Whether you’re running in the 5K/10K Fun Run, enjoying the beloved pancake breakfast, or finding your spot along the route for the Heber City 4th of July Parade, there’s something happening at every turn.

Main Street Park becomes the center of it all, filled with live music, lawn games, and friendly competition. Enjoy a pickleball tournament at Southfield Park and a midday cornhole tournament at Main Street Park. Crowd favorites return, including pie eating and root beer chugging contests, a strong man competition, and the always-entertaining “Hoses vs. Badges” tug of war, where local heroes go head-to-head in good fun. Add in a Constitution tribute, performances by local musicians, and the sounds of American Rooster, and you’ve got a soundtrack that carries through the entire day.

Creativity shines as the community comes together for the America 250 Mural, a project that began with Wasatch County School District 5th graders, each contributing a painted tile to a larger installation that will be displayed at the Wasatch County Rec Center. Alongside it, the colorful Sidewalk Chalk Contest brings art, history, and imagination to life right on Main Street.

As the sun sets, the celebration keeps going. Enjoy the Sunset Music Series on the Main Stage with Riff Raff at 7 PM, or take a short trip to Midway for the Utah Symphony at Town Square at 8 PM, followed by fireworks lighting up Memorial Hill at 10 PM.

Beyond the fun and festivities, the festival carries a deeper meaning. The Red, White, and Blue Blankets Project, in partnership with Intermountain Health Heber Valley Hospital, is giving every baby born in 2026 a handmade patriotic blanket, celebrating new life during a historic year for our nation.

The celebration continues into Sunday with a “Church in the Park” experience. Join the community for a 10 AM Christian service hosted by Mountain View Fellowship Church, followed by a potluck lunch, an opportunity to slow down, connect, and share a meal together.

At the end of it all, the Red, White, and Blue Festival is more than just a weekend of events. It’s a reflection of what makes Heber Valley special, a place where traditions are honored, community comes first, and memories are made year after year.

This year, as we celebrate 250 years of American history, there’s no better place to be than right here in the Heber Valley.

heberredwhiteandbluefest.com

Envisioned as a long-term cultural hub, the arts center aims to serve residents of all ages and artistic interests, from children discovering the joy of performance to adults exploring new creative outlets. Whether someone is interested in painting, performing, writing, or dancing, the center will provide opportunities to explore and expand their creative passions.

Art for Everyone

At its heart, the Heber Valley Arts Center is designed to be a place for everyone. Music, dance, theater, visual arts, photography, and creative writing would all have a home here, creating opportunities for both artists and audiences to connect. The goal is simple but powerful: to provide a space where people can experience, engage with, create, watch, and perform art. By bringing these experiences together under one roof, organizers hope to strengthen the sense of community and belonging that the arts naturally foster.

More Than Performances

While live performances will be a central feature, the arts center is not meant to be just a theater. Plans emphasize education, outreach, and hands-on participation, making the space a place of learning as well as entertainment. From arts education programs to community workshops, the center is envisioned as a resource for lifelong learning. Project leaders describe it as a future “pulsing heart” for arts, culture, and education in the Wasatch Back—one that supports creativity while also contributing to the region’s cultural and economic vitality.

The center is expected to bring opportunities for local artists to showcase their work, collaborate with peers, and connect with the public in meaningful ways. Community engagement is a major part of the plan, ensuring that residents have a voice in shaping the programs and experiences offered.

A Place Taking Shape

The proposed arts center will sit on a 4.4-acre site directly east of the Utah Valley University Wasatch campus in north Heber, within the developing Jordanelle Ridge Arts District. The location was selected for its accessibility from U.S. Route 40 and the ability to share parking and infrastructure with nearby facilities. Surrounding residential and commercial development is expected to grow alongside the arts district, positioning the center as a focal point for creative and community activity.

Concept design has been completed by Utah-based architecture firm Method Studios, with construction costs estimated at approximately $80 million. The land has been secured through a long-term ground lease with Heber City, providing space for the facility, parking access, and roadways for up to 75 years.

Community Support and Funding

Community feedback has played a key role in shaping the project. Studies conducted during early planning stages showed strong local support, with many residents expressing a desire to see the arts grow in the Heber Valley. Funding for the project will come from a combination of public and private sources, including a naming rights campaign expected to contribute significantly to the overall cost. While fundraising is ongoing, organizers emphasize that the project’s success depends on continued community engagement and involvement.

Supporting the Arts Today

Even before the center is built, Heber City is supporting local creativity through its Trails, Arts, and Parks (TAP) Tax. Established in 2023, the TAP Arts Advisory Committee helps guide funding decisions for arts and cultural projects across the community. Each year, the committee reviews applications from residents, nonprofit organizations, and City staff for projects ranging from performances and festivals to visual arts programs and educational initiatives.

Through TAP funding, residents are already experiencing the benefits of new programs, exhibits, and events. The Heber Valley Arts Center is designed to build on that foundation, providing a permanent space that complements the ongoing support provided through TAP grants.

Looking Ahead

The Heber Valley Arts Center represents more than a building. It reflects a belief that creativity matters, that shared cultural experiences strengthen communities, and that art should be accessible to everyone. If realized as envisioned, the center will offer a place to gather, learn, and create—a space shaped by the people it serves. Alongside existing TAP-funded projects, it signals a growing commitment to the arts in the Heber Valley, ensuring that creativity continues to thrive for generations to come.

With plans moving forward and community support, the center is set to become a place where everyone—from young students to seasoned artists—can find inspiration, education, and connection through the arts. Whether it’s performing on stage, attending an exhibit, or taking part in a workshop, residents will have a new home for creativity, right in the heart of their community.

Learn more at
hebervalleyartscenter.com

The idea of Alchemy Art was something Shanoa often dreamed about, and she finally brought it to life in 2024, shortly after moving to Heber. Growing up in Mapleton, she was drawn to art from an early age, beginning lessons at just eight years old and discovering her passion during an oil painting class. Her love for art never waned—she went on to study art education at Utah State University and spent 23 years teaching art in public schools across the Western United States.

The landscapes of the West inspired her art. During summer breaks from school, she spent her time hiking and painting with her children, inspired and drawn to the simplicity of nature. The influences of nature can be seen around the walls of her studio and leaning against artists’ easels around the room. Some depict recognizable landscapes, while others are abstract and non-objective. Over the years, as she has grown as an artist, Shanoa has drawn inspiration from nature, often distilling it into its purest forms—swirls, shapes, and movements that are both beautiful and enhance the creative energy of her studio.

On a table beside the nature-inspired gallery wall of Shanoa’s art, the well-loved tools of her artistic medium sit under a shelf made from an old Coca-Cola bottle crate. The shelf is filled with, not paint tubes, but colorful sticks of wax. When she married her husband, Kit, and their lives started in Heber, Shanoa dove into an art form she’d experimented with in college: encaustic art. Finding an artist in Park City who was selling all her tools for this specific medium, Shanoa felt like it was a call from the universe.

Encaustic art is an ancient form of painting dating back to the early Greeks in the 4th century. “If you could imagine painting with candles? That’s kind of it.” Using a hot plate, Shanoa heats the pigmented wax and paints with it in its molten state. She referenced how many people as kids would dip a finger into candle wax to watch it dry–just like that, the wax dries quickly, so she fuses it with a butane torch. “It’s all about transparency layers. It’s additive and subtractive.” The encaustic paintings on her gallery wall showcase the versatile ways she can manipulate the wax: carving, scraping, layering, and mixing of both texture and smooth sheen across the surface.

As Shanoa dove into encaustic art, even winning first place at the International Encaustic Competition in Santa Fe, NM, Shanoa’s creative energy didn’t end with her own art. By day, she teaches art to students at Heber Valley Elementary, and in the evenings, she continues to share her love of art with the community at large at her studio, Alchemy Art. “[Art has] been this constant strength throughout my life that’s given me joy, strength, insight. And I feel so lucky to have that, that I want to share with other people. So that’s part of the mission. . . give as many people as I can that gift.”

Whether the class is a deep dive into a specific medium, like watercolor or oil painting, or a more casual paint night with friends, Shanoa always strives to offer her students skills that help them progress. Her goal is never a one-and-done painting, but to understand the why and how of certain techniques so they can go home with confidence and create on their own.

Going above and beyond technique, though, Shanoa is passionate about the transformational power of art–the alchemy in Alchemy Art. Which is why she also offers art therapy classes, where that transformational work can shine.

Shanoa strives to cultivate a safe, nurturing space that reflects her mission of fostering community and connection. In art therapy class, she directs students in guided meditations and encourages them to work toward being in a “flow state” instead of structuring the class to have artists follow step-by-step instructions. “I try to get people to enjoy the process and be present with the process and become less attached to the results. The results don’t matter.” Often, it’s much easier for children to get into that flow state, whereas adults can be more timid and overthink things. Shanoa’s seen some touching transformations take place when people open themselves up to
the process.

At the end of each art therapy class, if students are comfortable, they can share their art and what it means to them with the group. In self-portrait exercises—where she encourages students to embrace more abstract, non-objective art—Shanoa has witnessed people who struggled with elusive feelings finally experience breakthroughs in self-reflection. When painting a portrait of a loved one, a woman processed and released some of the grief of losing her husband as she painted him. Often, Shanoa notes, the breakthroughs in her classes are about strengthening relationships, connection, and love.

Shanoa sees this as a process of using art as a visual language. “We all have that visual language, but we don’t access it a lot of times, and there are those things that we know, but we don’t know that we know them. They just kind of reside there. And so, I try to get down to that level.”

Alchemy Art’s class offerings are as creative as Shanoa is, as she rotates through various classes throughout the year, including art therapy, watercolor, art foundations for children and teens, oil painting, acrylics, and fun paint nights. She even offers private lessons and at-home paint parties. “I just have so much respect and appreciation for art… I think it contributes to people’s lives: making it, sharing it, teaching it.”

Book your next class
Artbyshanoa.com
@artbyshanoa

The studio is owned and run by Angie Andrews, an artist whose creative path has taken many forms over the years. Although she didn’t grow up in Heber, Andrews has called the area home since 2019, and Beehive Pottery reflects both her personal journey and her desire to create meaningful connection within the community. After spending years working from home, Andrews found herself craving interaction and shared experience—something that couldn’t be replicated behind a screen.

“I just wanted a place where other people can come and be creative and be around people,” she explains, describing the spark that led to opening the studio. That intention is evident the moment visitors walk through the door, whether they are seasoned artists or first-timers nervously approaching the pottery wheel.

Art has been a constant thread throughout Andrews’ life. With more than 30 years in the art field, her background includes formal training with an emphasis in photography, followed by a long career in graphic design and years working as a full-time photographer. Over time, her curiosity led her to woodworking and, eventually, pottery—a medium she began exploring just three and a half years ago. What might seem like a surprising pivot instead feels like a natural evolution, blending craftsmanship, creativity, and tactile process.

Finding the right space for Beehive Pottery was its own journey. Andrews and her family spent about six months searching before stumbling upon the location they now occupy. The space hadn’t even been advertised yet when her realtor mentioned it, a bit of timing and luck that helped bring the studio to life. That sense of serendipity seems fitting for a place rooted in experimentation and discovery.

From the beginning, Andrews envisioned Beehive Pottery as an inclusive space, one that removes the intimidation often associated with art studios. The range of classes and offerings reflects that goal. Short, 90-minute sessions give couples, groups, or curious beginners a taste of pottery without a long-term commitment, while five-week programs guide students through the full process, from shaping clay to glazing finished pieces. Andrews takes a hands-on approach during these sessions, ensuring participants leave with something they feel proud of, rather than a half-formed attempt.

Beyond traditional classes, the studio offers memberships, hourly studio time for experienced potters, homeschool programs that run every six weeks, and summer camps that give kids a creative outlet during school breaks. There’s also the option to paint pre-made pieces, similar to a paint-your-own pottery experience, making the studio accessible even to those who may not be ready to jump on the wheel.

What sets Beehive Pottery apart is not just the variety of options, but the intention behind them. Andrews has made a conscious effort to offer experiences that cater to different comfort levels, schedules, and ages. Some studios focus on a single specialty, but Beehive Pottery is designed to be flexible—a place where families, teens, adults, and seniors can all find something that fits.

That multi-generational appeal is further expanded through the studio’s silversmithing classes, taught by Andrews’ daughter. These sessions allow participants to create their own rings or pendants, with the option to add gemstones, a great choice for those looking for a creative experience that feels both hands-on and personal. It’s another example of how the studio blends artistry with approachability.

Family plays a central role in the business. For now, Beehive Pottery is entirely family-run, a dynamic that contributes to its warm, welcoming atmosphere. That sense of care extends beyond the studio walls as well. Andrews is deeply committed to supporting young artists, particularly at the high school level. Shelves in the studio display donated pieces—often early works from students who are still discovering their style—that are sold with all proceeds going back to local high school art departments. The funds help purchase equipment and supplies, reinforcing the idea that creativity thrives when it’s supported.

Community engagement shows up in other ways, too. Beehive Pottery hosts birthday parties, corporate team-building events, and private group sessions, sometimes closing the studio for several hours to accommodate larger gatherings. At various times throughout the year, and especially during the holidays, Andrews offers special $5 paintable pieces, making creative experiences more accessible during busy seasons.

The studio’s schedule reflects its role as a community space, with hours designed to fit into family routines. Beehive Pottery is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, allowing after-school visits, evening date nights, and weekend creativity.

Despite the many programs and moving parts, Andrews says her favorite part of running the studio comes down to people. Meeting new faces and watching their creativity unfold never gets old. No two pieces look the same, even when everyone starts with the same material, and that individuality is something she genuinely delights in. It’s a reminder that art doesn’t need to be perfect to be meaningful—it just needs space
to exist.

In a time when so much of daily life happens digitally, Beehive Pottery offers something refreshingly tangible. It’s a place where families can spend time together without distractions, where kids can explore creativity with confidence, and where adults can rediscover the joy of making something with their hands. More than just a studio, it’s a reflection of Andrews’ belief that art is for everyone—and that community is built one shared experience at a time.

beehivepotterystudio.com

For Steve Anderson, owning a historic theater is the culmination of a dream that began in the 1990s when he was a Music, Dance, Theater major at Brigham Young University. Built in 1912, the Uinta Theater, on Provo Center Street, was slated for demolition, and Steve attempted to save it. Unfortunately, he didn’t succeed. To this day, he feels a pang of regret when he drives by the still-empty lot across from the Provo City Center Temple. Back then, it was a dream that would have to wait.

Young Steve changed his major to film and television, which (he jokingly added), he chose so he could have a “more steady day job.” For over two decades, he worked in the corporate film and television world, partnering with major brands, including Disney, Nickelodeon, McDonald’s, and Nintendo, and collaborating with celebrities like Brittney Spears, Kobe Bryant, N’Sync, Matt Damon, and Steven Spielberg. His wife, Karyn, a special education teacher and lawyer, came from a talented musical family. Her grandmother wrote the LDS primary hymns “Book of Mormon Stories” and “Pioneer Children Sang as They Walked.”

Together, they launched Popcorn Media, a company focused on creating entertainment opportunities for children. The venture took them across the country with their seven children as they operated their Movie Star Camp. Later, inspired by one of his heroes, Walt Disney, Steve created Small World Studios. The studio creates audio-visual shows for theme parks and museums. Using special effects such as projection mapping, lasers, smoke, and fire, he and his team created immersive three- and five-dimensional experiences.

Ten years ago, Steve and his family decided to settle in Heber City. “One of the first things I did when I got here was drop off my business card to the current owner of the theaters and said: ‘If you ever decide to sell, this has been a dream of mine to live in a small town with a little theater on Main Street.’” His dream was so close, but it took another eight years to become a reality. Thirty years after Steve first imagined owning a historic theater, his dream came full circle when the chance to revive the Ideal and Avon Theaters, and the adjacent sweet shop, finally presented itself. For Steve and Karyn, it felt like they had “come home.”

Coming from the corporate scene, you might think owning a business in Heber would slow down the pace, but “I’m actually probably working harder than I ever have in my life right now,” Steve said with a laugh. In addition to running the business, Steve has also directed most of the musicals at the Ideal Playhouse, with Karyn at his side as the musical director. While “wearing all the hats” has its challenges, it’s also gratifying and joyful, especially with the support the Andersons have received from family, friends, and the community, some of whom have become regulars as audience members, set builders, and choreographers. All in all, owning a theater was a dream worth waiting for.

Get lost in the story

So, what is the appeal of a small, historic theater? Steve feels like you can get lost in the story in small venues. As a child, he recalled going to see Into the Woods with his mother, also a big fan of theater, in a tiny venue in Phoenix, AZ. “I’ve seen bigger productions of Into the Woods, you know, in grand halls, but there was something about that night where I couldn’t see anybody else. I could just see the show, and it was so enchanting to be in this small little place and have the whole place just transform.”

Immersion is at the heart of every Heber Valley Entertainment venue, and Steve’s background in creating multi-dimensional experiences has made attending the revitalized theaters truly memorable.

Built in 1914, the Ideal Playhouse is one of Utah’s oldest theaters, and stepping through its newly renovated doors feels like the perfect blend of nostalgia and modern comfort. The exterior windows glow with rows of warm marquee bulbs, while inside, the scent of buttery popcorn drifts from a slightly old-school concessions counter. Rich, earthy tones fill the lobby in what Steve calls a “rustic, mountain art deco” style—an aesthetic that deepens the theater’s cozy, old-time charm. Posters and décor inspired by the current musical line the walls, drawing you in before you even reach your seat. It has all the small-town charm a theatergoer could hope for.

The shows themselves spill out into the seats, doing more than just bringing the story to life on the stage. In their production of the musical Little Women, a kite flew out over the audience. Sebastian and Chef Louis chased each other through the aisles in The Little Mermaid. And, in an experience unique to the Ideal Playhouse, images are projected onto the walls, creating the illusion of being right there in the scene with the characters. In their latest production, Big River, Huckleberry Finn and Jim, played by singer, actor, and TV host Yahosh Bonner, paddled their raft on stage, while wall projections moved down the river with them. In another scene, the audience experienced being inside a rainy and rumbling Southern thunderstorm. As an audience member, it was magical, especially for the children.

The Avon Theater, just a block down Main Street from the Ideal, is being spruced up to provide a similar immersive experience, but with a flair that draws on its own history. The Avon, originally the Reel Theater, opened as a movie theater in 1948 and has a claim to fame as being one of the first theaters in the country to have surround sound, a system installed by the “father of surround sound,” Jim Fosgate, himself in 1986. The Andersons’ vision for the Avon is to put it into its heyday in the 1950s by giving it a “neon kind of Drive-In movie theater feel.”

Fences line the theater walls, carpeted walkways mimic gravel paths, and in front of the traditional theater seats lies a patch of faux grass dotted with lawn chairs. With projectors casting scenes onto the walls, moviegoers step into an immersive outdoor cinema—complete with chirping crickets, honking horns, and a canopy of twinkling indoor “stars.” It’s an indoor drive-in experience that blurs the line between nostalgia and innovation. In time, live concerts currently hosted at the Ideal will move to the Avon, where the lawn chairs will be cleared to make room for dancing on the “grass” in front of the stage.

Attached to the lobby of the Avon is a 1950s ice cream shop, rebranded as Kbop’s, named for the nickname Steve gave his wife, Karyn, early on in their relationship. The black and white tiled floor, jukebox, and vintage red-seated soda shop chairs give the impression that one has stepped back in time. Karyn is hard at work creating their own homemade ice cream flavors dubbed with fun local names that will reflect the Heber area.

Going to the Ideal, Avon, or Kbop’s is more than just seeing a great show or getting a tasty treat—it’s an experience.

More Exciting Things to Come

When Steve first got started, he filled three notebooks with thirty years’ worth of ideas he had been saving. He and his team were ready to try them all and see what the community would support. As their current season comes to a close, Steve reflects, “It’s been an exciting year of launching all kinds of entertainment, and we’ve listened closely to the public to see what they enjoy.”

As audiences leave the theater, they often pass feedback along to Steve and Karyn: “Do more of that,” or “I didn’t love that one.” Sometimes, Steve admits, it’s difficult to “kill your darlings”—a phrase from creative circles meaning letting go of (or in this case, postponing) ideas to focus on those that really work. However, community feedback has been invaluable in helping narrow down his notebooks of ideas to the ones audiences truly love. Some of the results include the recent launch of Five-Dollar Tuesdays, offering showings of new blockbuster films, and Throwback Thursdays, featuring classic retro movies.

The 2025 season at the Ideal will close with something entirely new: A Heber Valley Christmas. This inaugural Christmas spectacular is an original production featuring everything “from Santa to Jesus,” with a touch of Heber history woven in. The show will bring to life stories the team has uncovered, combining story and song in a unique stage experience. While some of the music will be traditional, Steve and his collaborator Kevin Kelly—the co-creator of the 2005 off-Broadway musical The Ark with Michael McLean—are also composing original songs for the show’s debut. Steve describes it as “all the things we love about Christmas, wrapped up in a beautiful, inspiring show that will touch the hearts of grandchildren, grandparents, and everyone in between.”

In the future, audiences can expect more original works at the Ideal. The season began in the spring with Michael McLean’s original musical Threads, and will end this winter with A Heber Valley Christmas. The team hopes to continue introducing original musicals over time—further building the distinctive, signature experience they are creating on Main Street.

Ultimately, Steve and Karyn want to create entertainment that feels like home to locals while also attracting a regional audience with experiences that are immersive and unique. “Had I gotten my theater when I was 20, I wouldn’t have had any experience. But now,” Steve reflected, “we can wow some people.”

Tickets to their shows, including A Heber Valley Christmas, and 2026 Season Tickets are available at:

hebervalleyentertainment.com
@hebervalleyentertainment

Speakeasy Antiques is a charming new addition to Kamas Main Street, having opened just five months ago. Before launching the shop, Marilee had a small display tucked in the back of the same building, which previously housed the handicrafts and art shop Artique. When the building went up for sale at the end of 2024, she seized the opportunity to invest in the community and town she’s come to love since moving to Utah by opening her own antiques store. As she puts it, “How crazy of an old lady am I to have a little antique shop? […] But I love it. It’s how I meet my neighbors. For me, selling antiques is fun—but meeting people is the most fun.”

Seizing opportunities is nothing new for Marilee. She has lived a full life marked by profound seasons of change—some chosen, others unexpected—but Marilee’s navigated them all through adaptability and a steadfast drive to stay engaged and keep moving forward.

Marilee was raised in Pennsylvania, and as she describes her upbringing, her family sounds like the Irish Pennsylvanian version of The Waltons. Red hair, a love of family, community, and antiques all ran deep. She had wonderful parents and two incredible Nannas. One, she says, was an “earth mother” grandmother, and the other an “antiquing grandmother”—both traits she’s carried forward in her own life.

She recalls that her antiquing Nanna would often come home with a taxi load of antiques, as she didn’t drive. On one occasion, she had a wardrobe drawer stuffed in the taxi alongside her. It turned out she had purchased an antique wardrobe too beautiful to pass up, but didn’t want the retailer to sell it out from under her. So, she snagged the drawer to ensure the wardrobe would still be there when her husband returned to retrieve the rest of it. After all, no one was going to try to buy a wardrobe one drawer down!

In time, Marilee married and had three sons. When her marriage ended (her youngest was just five), she suddenly found herself needing to return to full-time work. At the time, she was working at a department store perfume counter, but the nights and weekends kept her away from her children more than she wanted. So, she switched gears—enrolling in a master’s program and taking a job as the librarian at her sons’ school.

The schedule matching her kids was ideal, but she also thrived in an environment focused on research and student interaction. To this day, she still keeps in touch with students she knew and loved, and who knew and loved her in turn. As I speak with her, she shows genuine pride and joy in their lives and accomplishments.

During this challenging time, Marilee and her youngest son spent weekends wandering through the local antique mall, hunting for treasures to buy with their $15 of mad money. Her son delighted in finding small metal figurines, eventually building quite a collection. Inspired by those outings, Marilee decided to try her hand at selling antiques herself and opened a stall at a local shop. Before long, she took the next leap—opening her own brick-and-mortar store in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania, called Brandywine View Antiques.

For Marilee, having and appreciating antiques is about more than just collecting old stuff. She explains, “Antiques give you appreciation for our shared history and the land around us.” In Pennsylvania, she lived in a community steeped in antiques and history. Her home was a 200-year-old farmhouse filled with antiques, idyllically situated next to an original barn in a clearing surrounded by rock walls and dense woods. When she says she has an appreciation for old things, she really means it. She now loves being able to share that appreciation in Utah, where the culture and availability of antiques are quite different.

Throughout her career, Marilee has learned just how easy it is to be misled when it comes to antiques. There’s a fine line between genuine, high-quality pieces, simply old items, and clever reproductions, and it’s not always easy to tell them apart. Over time, she’s developed a keen eye for authenticity through experience and in-depth research—a skill she credits, in part, to her years as a librarian. As she puts it, “An old piece is like a work of art.”

At Speakeasy Antiques, you can be sure you’re finding the real thing as each piece is personally handpicked by Marilee. She chooses items simply because she finds them beautiful. Her advice for anyone looking to incorporate antiques into their home is, “If you love something, it will probably work.” And it’s easy to fall in love with her shop, which is filled with countless charming treasures. When I asked what she’s most drawn to, her answer came easily—lamps. One of her favorites resembles something you might see in a national park: a tall, rectangular lamp with intricate metalwork framing milky yellow glass panes. You can even spot it glowing in the windowsill.

Marilee has helped people from all walks of life find pieces they love. Some of those pieces have even made it into movies you’ve likely seen, including The Village, which was largely outfitted by her shop in Pennsylvania. Martha Stewart, Sigourney Weaver, and the artist Jamie Wyeth (think famous JFK and Jimmy Carter portraits) have all collected pieces from Marilee. So, come visit Speakeasy Antiques, enjoy getting to know one of your neighbors, and find something to love!

Come see all the wonderful antiques at Speakeasy Antiques at 283 N Main St in Kamas

What started online—selling images through social media—has grown into a thriving business that now includes art shows, vendor markets, and partnerships with local businesses and breweries. It’s become a full-time career, not just for Johnny but for his wife Sherry Adolphson as well, who manages the business side of the operation. Together, the couple has built something deeply collaborative, grounded in years of working side by side across various industries.

You may recognize Johnny’s work from past issues of this very magazine. His images—often showcasing Utah’s dramatic landscapes and seasonal beauty—have graced several covers over the years. Now, for the first time, the photographer behind those images takes center stage.

Johnny’s camera lens is often turned toward Utah’s rugged beauty—an area he considers his specialty—but his travels have taken him from the Tetons to the Canadian wilderness. Local mountains like Timpanogos, blooming wildflower meadows, and stretches of open farmland remain some of his favorite subjects. Though he has trekked deep into remote wilderness and faced off with wildlife, some of the most challenging moments of his early photography career came not from nature, but from the chaos of shooting weddings. In contrast, nature’s unpredictability feels more fluid—storms may interrupt a plan, but often lead to unexpected beauty.

Much of his process is guided by instinct. A planned shot may be completely abandoned in favor of something else that emerges in the moment—like a sudden burst of flowers, dramatic lighting, or an unexpected weather shift. Over the years, participating in art shows has given him insight into what resonates with viewers, yet his artistic choices are still driven by personal vision rather than trends. He acknowledges that while some of his more iconic Utah images perform well commercially, it’s often the less conventional ones that hold deeper meaning to him—images shaped by patience, light, and intuition.

Johnny recalls a few of these moments, “Mesa Arch— the most popular arch in Utah— I pulled up and stood there with the masses and got my shot. Last summer, I was down in Moab for the Art Festival, and I drove out there again. The parking lot was full, but I’ve always gone to this spot called Buck Canyon, just down the road. I like to cook breakfast in my van and chill there after shooting the sunrise. I was the only person there, and I got this amazing image of a lone dead tree. The tree formed this symmetrical light pattern between itself and the canyon in front of me, with clouds rolling over the La Sal Mountains in the background. That shot’s actually been a nice perform— but to me it’s meant way more than the Mesa Arch shot.”

The emotional response Johnny’s work evokes in others is what keeps him going. Whether his images hang in quiet homes or bustling office spaces, his goal is to bring serenity and wonder into people’s everyday environments. For him, landscape photography isn’t just visual—it’s a kind of emotional preservation.

That sense of responsibility extends beyond the frame. He’s contributed to environmental efforts by donating work to conservation groups and land trusts.
Some of the fields and barns he’s captured no longer exist, lost to rapid development in the valley. He reminisces, “Recently, Sherry dropped me off at Guardsman’s Pass, and I hiked up to a photo spot from there, but just five years ago, I was driving up and parking right at the top. A lot of the fields and barns that I’ve photographed in the valley here… those scenes aren’t there anymore due to growth and houses.” Johnny’s photography, in a way, becomes both art and archive—evidence of what once was.

There have been unforgettable encounters along the way—from standoffs with a mountain lion to surreal human moments deep in the backcountry. “There’s a place called Gooseberry Mesa,” Johnny shares, “Where one day I came across an encampment with some young adult males that were outcasts from a polygamous society who had set up their encampment where I do shoots. They were armed and had all sorts of signs quoting scriptures and warning people to stay away, even though they were on forest service lands. I just let them know that I was shooting there and went on my way.”

These experiences are part of what has shaped Johnny’s grounded approach. Through it all, the advice he offers to others looking to pursue landscape photography is simple but essential: watch the light, and build everything else around it.

With new projects on the horizon—including the opening of a gallery right here in Heber at the old fire station in mid-August—there’s a sense that the journey is still unfolding. Future travels may take him back to beloved regions like Washington’s Palouse or the Sierra, but it’s clear that Utah will always be at the heart of his work.

Behind the scenes, Sherry plays a vital role in sustaining the momentum. Her background in landscaping and business management made her a natural fit for running operations—from inventory and customer tracking to financial planning. Together, they’ve built a lifestyle rooted in independence, passion, and shared purpose. It’s a life that requires grit and flexibility, but also offers deep rewards—like hearing from customers who cherish their artwork or watching their images find a place in someone else’s story.

Sherry expresses her gratitude, “It’s incredibly rewarding. Everywhere we go now, we hear things like, ‘Hey Johnny, we have your art in our home.’ Or, ‘We gave one of your prints to our son for his birthday—he loved it.’ When young people, like college or high school students, come to our Art shows and spend their hard-earned money on a little paper print—and they’re excited about it—that’s really cool and very rewarding.”

Even now, after years of honing his craft, Johnny considers himself a lifelong student of photography. The learning never ends, and neither does the desire to create. For him, this is more than a career—it’s a calling that continues to grow, frame by frame.

You can see Johnny’s work on Instagram or Facebook and at johnnyadolphsonphotography.com

Before launching the store, Drew spent years working as a goldsmith for various established jewelers in Provo, Murray, and Springville, refining his craft and specializing in custom bridal designs, rare gemstones, and advanced repairs. He was instrumental in implementing in-house printing and casting capabilities at two of those shops, a skill he’s now brought into his own business.

His journey into the jewelry world was an unexpected one. After serving in the military as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician and deploying to Iraq during Operation New Dawn, Drew began exploring creative avenues in art and sculpture. This exploration led him to the Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology, where he earned an associate degree in Jewelry Technology and obtained certifications in stone setting, CAD design, repairs, and other related fields. These technical skills now fuel his ability to bring almost any vision to life, especially custom work, which is the cornerstone of the business.

Laura, his wife and co-founder, shares a military background as a fellow EOD technician. Today, she leads the business operations and backend of the store, applying the same diligence and resilience that once defined her military career. With a previous background in cosmetology and a deep understanding of customer service, she plays a vital role in ensuring the store runs smoothly and maintains its personal, client-first approach.

Their shared path—from bomb diffusion specialists to small business owners—infuses Herlove with a sense of purpose and authenticity. The couple’s decision to open their store in Heber was guided by both intuition and research. Drawn to the area’s rapid growth and familial roots—Drew’s ancestors were among Heber’s early settlers—they saw a unique opportunity to serve the community and contribute to its evolving identity.

The store itself is a reflection of that vision. Customers walking in are greeted by a welcoming space designed to inspire without overwhelming. A gemstone display lets clients see and try on various cuts and styles, while cases of one-of-a-kind, ready-to-wear pieces offer immediate options for those not pursuing custom work. Every aspect of the space is meant to feel approachable and pressure-free, with clients working directly with Drew, not a salesperson.

While the store offers a wide range of styles, its specialty lies in fully custom, bespoke jewelry. A 3-D printer allows Drew to design pieces tailored exactly to a client’s vision, whether it’s an engagement ring, a piece of fashion jewelry, or a reimagined heirloom. Drew has a particular fondness for intricate, bold designs rich in detail and filigree, but emphasizes that the aesthetic is always led by the customer’s taste.

Materials used in the shop are primarily precious metals, with diamonds and gemstones sourced through reputable vendors. However, many customers bring in their personal stones, including sentimental pieces passed down through generations. Reworking heirlooms is a regular part of Drew’s work, breathing new life into rings, pendants, and other pieces with both technical care and emotional sensitivity.

Beyond the jewelry itself, the couple is dedicated to building meaningful connections within the local community. With long-term goals of expanding their staff and eventually moving into a larger, custom-designed space, they are also exploring creative projects, such as a one-of-a-kind holiday advent calendar featuring 25 unique jewelry pieces. Plans are in place to collaborate with local artists to display artwork in the shop, and in the future, offer one-on-one jewelry-making classes where clients can experience the full process of crafting a piece from start to finish.

Herlove is more than a store—it’s a reflection of Drew and Laura’s journey, their devotion to craft, and their belief that jewelry should be as unique as the person who wears it. Each piece created here is built with intention, artistry, and care. Whether it’s a symbol of love, a cherished family legacy, or a bold fashion statement, Herlove strives to make sure the story behind it shines just as brightly as the finished product.

“Laura inspires my art,” Guy said, holding up a Marvel-style superhero portrait of his partner. “I love her so much.” Her encouragement pushed him to share his work beyond his sketchbooks and into the public eye. These days, Guy paints bold murals and creates unique commissions that span walls, canvases, and clothing—his style as expressive and vivid as his personality.

If you’ve walked into Salt Lake City’s Butler Pro Gym, you’ve seen Guy’s work—18-foot-tall comic-book heroes flexing acrylic muscles across massive walls. The gym’s website even features a video panning across his art. It’s the loudest thing in the room. And it’s unmistakably Guy.

Art has been part of Guy’s life for as long as he can remember. He sketches constantly—during meals, in his downtime, whenever he can. His journals are filled with drawings that capture moments in his life more clearly than words ever could.

“I was adopted from El Salvador,” he shared. “Just a few weeks ago I started researching my family history. Turns out I’m from Santa Ana—a cultural hub.” Known for its artistic spirit, he wonders if his sense for color and line comes from those roots.

Art runs in the family now, too. Guy’s daughter shares his talent, and they often challenge each other with sketch-offs. “She did a drawing, I did one. We were trying to outdo each other,” he laughed. “I’m trying to show her how to sketch from imagination—not just to trace—because you won’t always have a reference.” It’s a mantra he lives by; Guy doesn’t use projectors when painting his large-scale murals. His technique is driven by observation, memory, and practice.

Their relationship is close, and art keeps them connected. He guides her not just in drawing, but in how to think like an artist—testing pens, brushes, paints, and colors to see what works best. “Trying different tools teaches you so much,” he said. “It’s part of the theory of it.”

Guy is drawn to comic and graffiti styles, and two elements define his work: motion and color. His compositions lead the eye naturally across the image, and his palette choices make the pieces pop. “If you look at a tree’s shadow,” he explained, “it’s not black—it’s a darker hue of the same color. Shadows have color, too.” It’s the kind of detail most don’t think about—but he sees it instinctively.

Even with his talent, art isn’t yet a full-time gig. By day, Guy works as a mine contractor, calculating the specs of massive, two-story gears to ensure proper function and repair. His precision on the job mirrors the care he takes with his art. Growing up in Park City, his technical career echoes the legendary miners who once kept the town running.

But the dream is alive—and slowly becoming reality. Guy recently teamed up with his childhood friend, Philip Lund, to create a line of comic-inspired, graffiti-style T-shirts. Transitioning from hand-drawn work to digital vector files was a learning curve, but Guy’s deep understanding of color blending helped.

“I’ve known Adam—his middle name—since we were two,” said Philip. “In seventh-grade art class, he was drawing stuff way beyond the rest of us. It’s just who he is. It’s electric.” The two bonded early—both were adopted from Latin America—and have been inseparable since.

Guy lights up when he talks about murals. Maybe it’s the scale. Maybe it’s the way larger-than-life figures reflect inspiration back to the viewer. He’s currently working on new pieces and hoping to take on more projects as awareness of his work grows.

His process is both energetic and focused. With hip-hop playing in the background and a pencil or spray can in hand, Guy’s mind is in constant motion. Each drawing refines the next. Every mural pushes him forward.

It’s not just talent—it’s about making the elements do what you want them to do.

Though he inspires those around him—Laura, his daughter, lifelong friends—Guy is quick to say it’s the people in his life who inspire him. Their belief in his talent keeps him working, improving, and sharing what he creates.

“I’m just trying to get her”—his daughter—“to venture out and try different things,” he said. “It’s important. You don’t realize how much it helps.” That mindset guides not only his art but his life: experiment, explore, evolve.

With every mural, shirt, sketch, or canvas, Guy is doing more than making art—he’s building a legacy. One that’s full of movement, color, and love.

More Information: @skocki_customs