STORIES: Wilbur Invitational @ The Emerson

Five Montana artists share eccentric and imaginative stories utilizing non-traditional materials. A reception will be held Friday, Sept. 5, beginning with a gallery talk at 5:30 and refreshments 6-8 pm.

Great Falls ceramist Ken Kohoutek features the daily life of several odd and hilarious characters in his brightly colored, ceramic wall tile sculptures (see above left).

Bozeman artist Kenda Minter and Missoula artist Francis Pearson (see right) both recycle found objects discovered in every day life to create highly textured wall-hung and freestanding sculptures.

Former Missoula artist, MA Papanek-Miller layers appropriated pop culture imagery often inspired by children’s toys in her translucent and mysterious paintings.

Bozeman artist Chris Turbuck, a recent MFA graduate of MSU’s School of Art, creates enormous 3 dimensional cartoon narratives that explore our common insecurities with drawn figures that are extraordinarily true-to-life.

Altitude Gallery

The latest gallery interview is with Amy Kirkland of the Altitude Gallery. Altitude features art in a number of media, including glass, jewelry, painting, photography, pottery, woodworking, and others.

1. Please introduce yourself and your exhibit space.
The Altitude Gallery is located on Main Street, in the old Azteca space across from the Army-Navy store (with the horse). It’s nine feet wide by fifty-five feet deep.

2. Do you have a defined mission or niche?
The work in the gallery tends toward nature-based contemporary.

3. What local/regional/national mix of artists have you had?
We have about 50% local artists, and 50% regional, meaning Montana and surrounding states.

4. How do artists usually connect with you?
I find them, and they also find me. I find artists mostly through art shows and the Internet. They might find me by dropping in or hearing about us from a friend.

5. How should an artist looking for a show or advice best approach you?
The best would be to call first to set up an appointment. Ideally, I’d like to see one finished piece and a portfolio I can look through. A CD or web site is also good.

6. Anything else you’d like to tell artists and art aficionados?
I’m really happy to be part of the downtown Bozeman gallery scene!

Contact info: 134 East Main Street, Bozeman, MT 59715; phone 406.582.4472; info@altitudegallerybozeman.com; http://www.altitudegallerybozeman.com

Julie Abowitt and Linda Williams @ Artists’ Gallery

Julie Abowitt and Linda Williams will be featured artists during the month of September at the Artists’ Gallery in the Emerson, 111 S. Grand Ave, Bozeman. The Gallery invites the public to an artist’s reception on Friday, September 12th from 5:00 – 8:00 PM during Artwalk.

Julie Abowitt will be showing new work in a variety of media. Her etchings, drawing, oil and acrylic paintings, digitally created images, and art-to-wear express her fascination with diverse techniques. Linda Williams will be showing landscape and floral oil paintings.

Julie Abowitt was born and raised in New York City. She attended the High School of Music and Art, Queens College, the Art Students League. Five years ago, she attended Cabrillo College for Desktop Publishing and Multimedia while living in Santa Cruz, California.

Julie recently retired to devote herself to doing her art full-time. She has worked as an art coordinator for the Seattle School District; an art gallery director; an art and drama teacher; an activity director in assisted living and a rest home; an artist in residence for Washington state; an artist in residence and festival coordinator for the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County; has written standardized tests in fine art and health/PE. Her work is in public and private collections. Julie’s work can be seen on the web at http://www.artfullyconnected.com.

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Linda was born in Atlanta, GA and grew up in New York, New Orleans, and Memphis.  She graduated Phi Kappa Phi from Montana State University in 2000 with a degree in Fine Arts, receiving the Strand Award.

She was included in the 35 Important American Women Artists Show in July1992 at Saks Gallery in Denver and currently resides in Bozeman, MT.

Linda served as the Chairman of the “Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale” in Cody, Wyoming in 1990.  She also wrote a personal column on art appreciation for the Carbon County Art League Art Newsletter quarterly in Red Lodge, Montana beginning in the Fall of 1998.

She has recently ventured into oils after being a watercolor painter for many years. If you have any questions regarding her work or technique, please feel free to contact her at 406-586-1350.

tart seeks clothing crafters

tart, a jewelry and apparel store in the Emerson seeks crafters who are making silk screened and/or handsewn clothing, preferably from recycled, organic and/or sustainable materials. tart carries work by local and regional artists, with an emphasis on recycled and environmentally friendly materials. Please email tartalicious@yahoo.com or call 406-582-0416 if you’re interested in selling your work in tart.

Posted by Anna, the tartress

Down the Rabbit Hole: Alice in Wonderland Inspired Photography by Margaret Mateskon @ tart

Local photographer Margaret Mateskon shows her fantastical series of collaged and manipulated self portraits inspired by Lewis Carroll’s much loved novels in tart this month. The show will be on display through the end of August. Opening Reception during Artwalk, Friday, August 8th 5-8 p.m.

Queen's Croquet by Margaret Mateskon

But wait, there’s more…

Mad Tea Party — Friday, August 15th

6-7 pm Children’s Activities
7-9 pm Adult Play Time

Come join the fun which will include tea with the Mad Hatter, croquet with the Queen of Tarts, a costume photo booth with featured photographer Margaret Mateskon, and more. Costumes will be both encouraged and rewarded: those in costume will receive 10% off purchases the night of the event.

Button Bracelet Class — Thursday, August 21st 7-9 pm

Get grandma’s button collection out of the attic and onto your wrist! Students will learn how to make a bracelet using buttons, beads and beading wire. No prior beading experience required.
$20 covers class and basic materials. Buttons will be available for purchase, or students may bring their own. Pre-registration required. Call 582-0416 or stop by tart to register.

Here’s how you find us:

We’re in the Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture
111 S. Grand Ave. #110
Bozeman, MT 59715
406.582.0416
tartalicious@yahoo.com