Month: March 2011

Made In Montana Marketplace Opens

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This morning the Made In Montana Marketplace, held at the Great Falls Civic Center, opened their doors to wholesale buyers. I attended the opening ceremony where Lt. Governor John Bollinger, Great Falls Mayor Michael Winters, and several other dignitaries touted the success of small businesses in the state. Nearly 100 vendor booths filled the Civic Center and what an amazing variety of Montana made goods they have. The brightest colored booth there had to have been Montana … Read more

Great Falls’ Festival of the Book

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Wow, day one of Great Falls’ Festival of the Book and I was hooked! The event is sponsored by the Great Falls Public Library and is held there too. Last night featured two wordsmiths (one was also a talented musician). Paul Zarzyski, cowboy poet extraordinaire, opened the show. Listening to him recite poetry is fun, watching him recite poetry is more fun! And, when you listen to the poems you are transported to the life … Read more

Great Tunes at the Holiday Inn Art Show

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What a treat last Saturday night – Chinook, MT natives Ken Overcast and his grand daughter Faith Hallingstead played and sang in the lobby of the Holiday Inn during the Western Heritage Artists Show and Sale. Ken plays guitar, Faith plays violin, and they both sing. There was a dedicated crowd listening to their great music on the main floor and the second floor overlook was rimmed with people too. Ken has played and sang … Read more

Charlie Russell Skit at Art Show

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The Western Heritage Artists Show and Sale at the Holiday Inn in Great Falls, MT sponsored a fun skit last Saturday night. Characters portrayed Charlie Russell during his early days in the Judith Basin when he met trapper Jake Hoover. Hoover ended up taking “Kid” Russell under his wing and the story goes that Charlie probably would have starved to death if it hadn’t happened that way. Charlie Russell was only sixteen years old when … Read more

An Afternoon With The Masters

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I spent most of this past Saturday afternoon at the Western Masters Art Show and Sale at the BW Heritage Inn in Great Falls. As they began a new tradition with this show, it was clear to me that the odds of them becoming a great anchor show during Western Art Week are great. There were 110 rooms of all genres of art including over 155 juried artists. The show ran for four days. I … Read more

Wild Bunch Art Show

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A new art show during Great Falls’ huge art weekend was sponsored by a group of eleven artists called The Wild Bunch. The show was at the Hampton Inn and featured art for sale, artist demonstrations, door prizes and a silent auction that was a benefit for the Children’s Museum of Great Falls. Mike Logan, cowboy poet from Helena, provided entertainment Friday. I really wanted to hear him but could not fit it in with the other activities going on … Read more

A Paint Around

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I attended the Western Heritage Artists “Paint Around” last night at the Holiday Inn in Great Falls, MT and that was the first time I had ever heard of an event like that. Fourteen artists participated in the event where each artist worked for 10 minutes on a painting, then a bell would sound and they would advance to the next painting and work on it. This photo is Dave Dube painting, dressed in French theme, … Read more

Art In Action

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This morning The Russell:The Sale to Benefit the C. M. Russell Museum sponsored Art in Action at the Meadowlark Country Club in Great Falls. The event kicked off with a brunch and mimosas. Entertainment was provided by Eric “Fingers” Ray while attendees mingled and enjoyed visiting. A total of 26 artists worked on their art as people visited with them, asked questions and looked over their shoulders. All of the artists seemed to enjoy the chance … Read more

Art in Action – Round Two!

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I took so many fun photos at today’s Art in Action sponsored by the C. M. Russell Museum. Here’s a great photo of Stanford, MT sculptor Steve Lillegard working on his clay model that will become a bronze. I believe he said he will cast 25 of this piece. I’ve actually watched Steve do what he terms a “live pour” outside his studio in Stanford. If you are passing by on US Hwy 87, you’ll see … Read more

Western Heritage Artists Quick Finish Event A Success

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For thirty years the Western Heritage Artists have taken over the Holiday Inn in Great Falls, MT the third week of March. I’ve attended many of their events and the group has seen steady growth. Tonight was their Quick Finish event where artists had 45 minutes to produce an original work. It could be in any medium. I had a great time just watching the artists work. The event is a fundraiser for the Lewis & Clark … Read more