Bright Knight: The Life & Legacy of Adam West

Sun Valley Museum of Art (SVMoA) and the City of Ketchum, in collaboration with the family of longtime Ketchum resident Adam West, are pleased to announce Bright Knight: The Life & Legacy of Adam West, an exhibition coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the landmark television series “Batman,” in which West starred in the title role. The exhibition will open to the public on June 30, 2026, and will run through Aug. 14, 2026. The opening celebration will take place Tuesday, June 30, at 4:30 p.m. 

Presented jointly by SVMoA and the City of Ketchum, the exhibition will be held at the historic building at Forest Service Park, located at the corner of East 1st Street and South 1st Avenue. The exhibition will be free and open to the public, offering visitors an engaging and in-depth look at the life and legacy of one of Ketchum’s most beloved residents. The exhibition will be open Tuesday evenings, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., and Wednesday through Saturday, from noon to 4 p.m. 

“Adam brought joy to generations as Batman, but few know the remarkable and storied scope of his life,” said the West family in a joint statement. “We are deeply grateful to the City of Ketchum and Sun Valley Museum of Art for helping share this fuller portrait in the town he loved. It feels especially fitting to celebrate him here, where he was recognized not only for the character he played, but also loved for the person he was. We hope this exhibit inspires visitors with the joy, creativity, possibility, and sense of adventure with which he lived.” 

“It has been a delight to work with the West family to organize this exhibition,” said Courtney Gilbert, Assistant Director and Curator, SVMoA. “And we are so grateful to the City of Ketchum for their partnership in the project. For me, like so many, Adam West is not only the original Batman, but the iconic Batman. In planning the exhibition, I’ve learned so much about the full expanse of his career – from his work in spaghetti Westerns to his practice as a painter – and his love of Ketchum and this community. I’m thrilled that we’ll be able to share his story with visitors of all ages, including a new generation encountering West’s work for the first time.”   

The exhibition will feature materials spanning Adam West’s life and career, including photographs from his childhood on a ranch in Walla Walla, Washington; images from his early acting career; still photographs from the “Batman” television set; and a collection of Batman memorabilia. Additional highlights will include sound recordings, video, images from his voice work on “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy,” and a selection of paintings created by West in the later decades of his life. 

“I grew up on Adam West’s “Batman” – my cousins and I would don homemade masks and capes and pretend we were in Gotham,” recounted Pete Prekeges, Ketchum Mayor. “That’s why I’m so excited for this exhibition in Ketchum. It’s a chance to celebrate Adam West’s legacy right here in the community he called home, and it reflects our commitment to a vibrant arts scene that brings people together, sparks creativity, and keeps that sense of joy and possibility alive for all ages.” 

This collaboration reflects the City of Ketchum’s commitment to supporting arts, events and cultural programming that are open and accessible to the public. In partnership with SVMoA, the exhibition will celebrate Adam West’s enduring cultural impact and deep connection to the community, while also activating Forest Service Park as a dynamic space for arts and public engagement. Bright Knight: The Life & Legacy of Adam West is made possible through generous support from the West family, the City of Ketchum and Atkinsons’ Markets. 

ASSOCIATED PROGRAMS AND EVENTS 

Exhibition Opening Celebration 
Tuesday, June 30, 4:30-6:30 p.m.  
Forest Service Park, Ketchum  
Free; open to all  

Evening Exhibition Tours with West Family and SVMoA curator 
Tuesdays, July 7 and June 10, 5:30 p.m.  
Forest Service Park, Ketchum  
Free; open to all  

Film: “Starring Adam West”  
Wednesday, July 1, 5 p.m.  
Merlin’s Magic Lantern, Ketchum  
$10 SVMoA member / $12 nonmember