Entrada Institute

10/11/2026

The 13th annual Arts and the Park, sponsored by the Entrada Institute in partnership with the Utah Watercolor Society and Capitol Reef National Park, will be taking place this week, from October 14 to 17. The artists may be found painting around Wayne County and in Capitol Reef National Park, and you are welcome to watch the creation of their paintings on Thursday and Friday, October 15–16.

On Thursday evening, October 15, at 7:00 p.m., Vinita Pappas, this year's award-winning guest watercolor artist, will be giving a demonstration of her loose, expressive approach to painting. Along the way, she'll share two simple tips she believes every painter can benefit from. Rather than capturing every detail, Vinita aims to capture the feeling of a place and say more with less. Years of exploring creativity and mindfulness have shaped her approach to painting. She believes good painting requires both structure and room for intuition, allowing the watercolor to retain its freshness and spontaneity.

Beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday October 17, the artists' paintings will be showcased during the annual watercolor show and auction. Becky Pace on piano and Matt Cowan on violin will be performing some classical and familiar pieces to enhance the celebration of this week's creative endeavors. Etta Place Cidery's "Global Street Taco Bar" will give guests the opportunity to create mini-fusion tacos featuring flavors from around the world. Tickets for this event are $35.00.

Both of these events will take place in the Don Gomes and Annie Holt Performing Arts Center in the new Entrada Cultural Center at 70 South 200 West in Torrey. To attend either event, scan the QR code in the flyer below or click the following link: www.entradainstitute.org/events-calendar.

10/04/2026

Barry Scholl has long been interested in the history of the Capitol Reef area. This Saturday, October 10, at 7:00 p.m., he will be discussing how, during the dark days of the Great Depression and World War II, classic linen postcards idealized the American Southwest as a hyper-colorful dreamland of endless vistas, impossibly blue skies, and timeless beauty. Using high-rag-content paper and saturated inks, the images were typically bright, bold, cheerful—and highly exaggerated.

Barry's presentation will feature a cross-section of vintage linen postcards focusing on the Southwest and will include well-known sites and a few lesser-known attractions, including the Salt Wash Sentinel and Waters’ Fortress. Barry will be speaking in the Don Gomes and Annie Holt Performing Arts Center in the new Entrada Cultural Center at 70 South 200 West, Torrey.

To attend this event, simply click the button below the announcement. You can also explore more upcoming programs, performances, and special events by clicking the following link:
www.entradainstitute.org/events-calendar. This presentation may also be livestreamed here, and you will not need to register to view the livestream.

10/02/2026

The first Classic Conversation in the new Don Gomes and Annie Holt Performing Arts Center in the Entrada Cultural Center will be held this Thursday night, October 1, at 7:00 p.m. Marci Milligan, president of the Entrada Institute, will be the featured guest. She will be in conversation with Don Gomes, vice president of the Entrada Institute.

While Marci is ever-present when you think of Entrada, there may be stories yet to be uncovered. To attend this event, go to www.entradainstitute.org/events-calendar/.

09/30/2026

On Saturday, October 3, at 7:00 p.m., Barbara Jones Brown, coauthor of Vengeance is Mine: The Mountain Meadows Massacre and Its Aftermath, will discuss the book and read excerpts from it. Publisher's Weekly has described the book as "the definitive history of the Mountain Meadows Massacre and its fallout," and the book has won numerous awards. Her presentation will take place in the Don Gomes and Annie Holt Performing Arts Center in the new Entrada Cultural Center at 70 South 200 West, Torrey.

To attend this event or explore more upcoming programs, performances, and special events click the following link: www.entradainstitute.org/events-calendar/

This presentation will also be livestreamed here, and you do not need to register to view the livestream.

09/29/2026

An investigation into why fruit production has declined in Capitol Reef National Park over the past 30 years and what role bees have played in the decline was undertaken in 2024 and 2025. Using current measurements of how bee visits have affected fruit production, Lusha Tronstad, invertebrate zoologist at the University of Wyoming, will share what has been learned.

Her presentation will be given this FRIDAY night, October 2, at 7:00 p.m. in the Don Gomes and Annie Holt Performing Arts Center, 70 South 200 West, in Torrey. To attend this event, scan the QR code in the flyer below, or go to www.entradainstitute.org/events-calendar. Events are also livestreamed here, and you do not need to register to view the livestream.

09/28/2026

https://youtu.be/L0D8kDJUAYY

The center is funded by donations.

09/28/2026

Torrey's Entrada Institute opened its new $2.1 million cultural center Saturday after 10 years of fundraising.

The building gives the town of fewer than 300 people a 100-seat great hall for concerts, art, science and community programs. It replaces the small space the nonprofit used for more than 30 years.

About a third of the money came from gifts under $1,000, along with donated materials and labor from around Wayne County, ABC4 reported. Foundations, local families and businesses, and state capital grants covered the rest.

The institute plans to open a public observatory in 2027 and is raising a final $500,000 to finish it, along with the grounds and vendor booths.

Torrey is the gateway to Capitol Reef National Park and Utah's first dark-sky community.

𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘰: 𝘌𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘢 𝘐𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘶𝘵𝘦

09/27/2026

The first Classic Conversation in the new Don Gomes and Annie Holt Performing Arts Center in the Entrada Cultural Center will be held this Thursday night, October 1, at 7:00 p.m. Marci Milligan, president of the Entrada Institute, will be the featured guest. She will be in conversation with Don Gomes, vice president of the Entrada Institute.

While Marci is ever-present when you think of Entrada, there may be stories yet to be uncovered. To attend this event, scan the QR code shown below, or go to www.entradainstitute.org/events-calendar/ This Classic Conversation will also be livestreamed here, and you do not need to register to view the livestream.

09/26/2026

Be sure to drop by this afternoon and then come back to see Christoph Luty at 7pm. It’ll be a great evening of music and celebration!