NEWS
Mountain Jam Embraces Local Artist Shelley Parriott A Symphony of Color Returns to Belleayre
Sculptor Shelley Parrriot has begun the process of creating a fun atmosphere of her colorful artwork made of perforated aluminum shapes towering ten feet high at Belleayre Mountain, today. Parriott is aided by her assistant Todd Brannon, of whom has helped build these works of art with her for more than twenty years throughout the country. In addition, Allan Skriloff who is a creative colleague came to assist on putting together these magnificent installations around the mountain.
HIGHMOUNT — As the legendary Mountain Jam music festival prepares to make waves again this weekend at Belleayre Mountain Ski Center, one local artist is quietly transforming the grounds into an immersive landscape of color and light.
Sculptor Shelley Parriott, a longtime figure in the Catskills art community, is once again adorning the mountain with her signature large-scale, prismatic sculptures—towering ten-foot works made of powder-coated, perforated aluminum that reflect, shimmer, and evolve with the changing light throughout the day.
“I think of it as a symphony of color,” Parriott says, gazing at her pieces as sunlight dances through them. “These installations are not meant to be walked through like in past years, but they still invite the viewer in. They change constantly. It’s a visual experience that complements the music.”
This marks a return for Parriott, who previously created walk-through installations for Mountain Jam in 2018 and 2019, back when the festival was still held at Hunter Mountain. Now reimagined at Belleayre, her work offers a dynamic new dimension to the festival’s creative offerings.
Parriott is not working alone. Todd Brannon, her installation assistant for over 20 years, has traveled the country helping her bring these visions to life. “We’ve worked on pieces for places like Cincinnati and Cleveland Children’s Hospitals and private collectors,” says Brannon. “But Mountain Jam is something special, there’s a whole spirit to it.”
Joining them this year is Allan Skrilloff, a fellow artist and longtime Mount Tremper resident. “It’s a lot of work getting these in place,” Skrilloff notes, “but when you see them lit up, with music playing and people reacting to them, it’s worth every minute.”
Festivalgoers will notice the sculptures strategically placed across the ski center grounds, some at the main entrance, others offering stunning views from the gondola ride. Designed to be seen from multiple vantage points, the installations serve not only as art but as visual landmarks for attendees, and Instagram-worthy backdrops that enhance the festival experience.
While each piece may appear delicate and airy, the perforated aluminum is weather-resistant and sturdy. “They may look fragile,” Parriott says, “but they’re built to last, and to move. The overlapping perforations create prismatic patterns that shift all day long.”
With Belleayre’s natural beauty as a backdrop, and Mountain Jam’s stellar musical lineup in full swing, Parriott’s work helps blur the line between performance, environment, and visual art.
“I want people to be transported,” she says. “Just like music, this art invites you into a space where your senses are heightened, your imagination gets to play, and you’re reminded that beauty is always changing, just like sound, just like light.”
Stay tuned for a full festival report and more on Parriott’s installation in next week’s Mountain Eagle.
Mountain Jam takes place Friday – Sunday June 20th-22nd at Belleayre Mountain in Highmount, NY. For full lineup and tickets, visit www.mountainjamfestival.com