We had the good fortune of connecting with Yun Gee Park Gallery and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Yun Gee Park Gallery, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Scott: When we decided to open our own gallery, we wanted to create something different- an arts-centered destination that fully embraced the unique qualities of the Tucson region, yet that was also international in scope, so that both visitors to the region as well as Arizona residents could draw enjoyment and inspiration. What we created is a gallery and gardens complex.

Yun: Rather than a big, white box space showcasing art removed from environment, we wanted to create an environment that showcases living with art, and emphasizing how art can elevate one’s life and actions. It is a concept that is very Korean and very Zen. There is importance given to the moment, and experiencing the moment to the fullest. A tea ceremony is a good example. While sharing tea served in paper cups can be joyful, and might well be the best choice for a certain situation, in most cases, well considered choices of vessels and utensils and their arrangement can significantly elevate the experience and even impart further meaning to the ritual. The same is true for serving a meal, arranging a living environment, or assembling oneself for the day.

Scott: That’s why we think of art and we present art in categories of curation: curation of body, curation of environment, and curation of action. We want to encourage our patrons to enhance all aspects of their lives in order to meaningfully elevate their environments and activities to the level of art and to create a meaningful human to human connection between themselves and the artists.

Yun: Also, part of appreciating the moment entirely is being aware of all of the senses. That’s why we strive to make each visit to the gallery a five-senses experience by doing such things as burning Korean incense inside the gallery in the morning and serving tea and Korean snacks. Sound is ever changing from the birds in the gardens and the laughter and conversation, and the artwork and the settings we create for them provide constant stimulation for the sight and touch.

Scott: To keep the experience fresh, both for ourselves and our visitors, we constantly strive to re-imagine the gallery and the manner of presentation of the artworks. We treat the entirety of the galleries and gardens as sort of a three-dimensional, five-senses design “magazine,” the purpose of which is to scintillate the senses, in diametrical opposition to the overly pervasive digital-based experiences that tend to dominate our current age. Currently on the grounds is the Korean-Sonoran garden with a gazebo and koi pond; the Mexican-Sonoran meditation garden, called the Jardin de los Santos, with its grotto; and the gallery garden which is a contemporary Sonoran-themed garden with a sculpture garden adjacent; interspersed are multiple pavilions, outdoor sculptures, art installations, and even a viewing tower for gazing down at the sculpture garden and out at the mountains. We have plans to create several more private gathering areas around the grounds, and to convert the aviary into a larger group gathering area, too.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Scott: Tucson is an amazing place to visit. There are so many diverse ways to experience the city and surrounding areas that anyone can have a enjoyable adventure. Those who love the outdoors can enjoy the surrounding mountains and canyons year-round. Hiking, biking, and horseback riding adventures await literally at the edges of the city. One can easily explore the trails and bike paths in the morning and return to town for a dip in the pool or a round of golf. In the winter it’s possible to go skiing on Mt. Lemmon in the morning and still swim in the afternoon. The Hacienda del Sol Resort was originally a girl’s finishing school set in the Santa Catalina mountains, but is now a great place to set up home base for exploring the city or the natural environment. It’s a fantastic place to dine, drink, and enjoy the Tucson sunrises and sunsets. Finding delicious food, however, is not difficult in Tucson. It has been designated a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, after all, and many restaurants feature a unique Sonoran flair. For sightseeing, a must do is a trip to Mission San Xavier del Bac, a historic Spanish Catholic mission located about 10 miles south of downtown Tucson, Arizona, on the Tohono O’odham Nation San Xavier Indian Reservation founded in 1692. To understand and see the flora and fauna of the region, a trip to the Sonoran Desert Museum is a must see. The best place to start to any trip to Tucson is the Southern Arizona Heritage & Visitor Center located in downtown Tucson, Arizona inside the Pima County Historic Courthouse.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We would like to give a shoutout to our gallery’s artists, clients, and supporters who share in our love of the arts and artful living.

Website: https://yungeepark.com

Instagram: @yungeepark

Facebook: @YunGeeParkLLC

Youtube: Yun Gee Park Gallery

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