Warm River Studio, an art gallery in Ashton, opened last month and has since hosted open mic events and concerts. It will host musician Kray Van Kirk on June 11.
Ellen Lynch, owner of Warm River Studio, says she is excited for the upcoming concert and hopes more artists come to perform and share their talents in the future.
“Warm River Studio is a gallery of contemporary art,” Lynch said. “But the real vision is to create a multi-discipline creative center. And I also invite especially students here who are musicians, actors, and any kind of performer, any artist to come share the space because it’s a beautiful space and a sweet community.”
After Warm River Studio’s last concert with Ben Cosgrove, Lynch was approached by a man who said his brother would be a great addition to the studio. When asked, Van Kirk was happy to join Lynch and his performance at Warm River Studio will be the final part of his current tour.
“It’s great,” Van Kirk said. “I’ve been on the road for two-and-a-half, almost three months and it’ll be an absolute great way to finish because my last show is in Minneapolis and the drive from Minneapolis back to Northern California is a long slaw. But if I can get to Ashton, that’s just a few days and it’s nice to see my two brothers who live there and then just two more days home.
Van Kirk said he feels his mission is to make everyone feel included and create new stories for the modern era.
“I think, maybe I’m totally wrong,” Van Kirk said, “Is to write new stories and new myths for the 21st century so that everybody of any identity, any origin, any history, anything, everybody gets to be the hero of the story and find their place in the world through that lens.”
Visit the website for Warm River Studio for ticketing or more information about Kray Van Kirk.
To listen to the full interview with Ellen Lynch and Kray Van Kirk, go to BYU-Idaho Radio’s podcast on Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.