The Pandemic and … The Performing Arts, p. 6 Musicians, p. 8 The Visual Arts, p. 12 Arts Education, p. 14-15 MAP artists, p. 19

Summer 2020 n Montana - The Land of Creativity

MAC CARES The shows must go on! Summer theatre continues with protections in place MAC channels By Kristi Niemeyer For a rural state, Montana is uncom- monly rich in performing arts and summer CARES Act funds is one of the seasons when that wealth is on full display, with live theatre on stages and in parks from Birney to Bigfork. But to artists and with coronavirus loosed upon us, this organizations season looks different than most. Fort Peck: “Come in and put The Montana Arts Council (MAC) announces the availability of emergency funding to offset economic your troubles at the door” losses due to COVID-19. MAC will award funds to On the other hand, several summer the- nonprofit organizations, artists and cultural workers atre stalwarts are opening this year, albeit a in Montana. The funds come through the National little later in the season. “I’m really happy Endowment for the Arts (NEA) as part of the federal to see a lot of Montana companies are go- Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security ing ahead,” says Andy Meyers, artistic di- (CARES) Act. rector of the Fort Peck Summer Theatre. “Support from every member of Montana’s “That’s simply not the case nationally.” “I first heard rumbles about COVID Congressional delegation reinforces that the arts are Mike Gillpatrick, Louis Jepson and Neal Lewing appeared in the Port for everyone,” said MAC Chair Cyndy Andrus. “The when I was in Arizona, rehearsing for a six- week run of ‘Chicago,’” he recalls. Four Polson Players’ 2019 production of “The Sunshine Boys” and reprise arts have been our constant to lift our spirits, bind the show as the season opener at Fort Peck Summer Playhouse. our communities and preserve our histories. Another shows into the six-week run, “they closed it facet of Montana’s beauty, the arts are a resource that down and sent us all home.” we must protect.” Meyers, who maintains an apartment in the cast “Planning seems to be an exercise in futility,” he says. quarters year-around, came back to quarantine in Fort “Every single person has been flexible no matter what – Peck, “so I could be here to handle all the planning and but that’s what we do as artists, we really come together Another facet of loop-de-loops.” and work things out.” Montana’s beauty, the He adds, “I’ve probably made 200 different game plans in the process of coming up with a restructured See Summer Theatre, page 5 arts are a resource we season.” must protect.” – MAC Chair Cyndy Andrus Blackfeet artist receives $30,000 mentor fellowship Jackie Larson Bread, an accom- Bread has dedicated the No area of the state has been untouched by the plished Blackfeet artist, was among past 50 years to practicing and pandemic, with events cancelled and venues closed. 11 artists who received a 2020 Mentor developing her unique style of Coupled with the losses of outdoor festivals and re- Artist Fellowship award from the beadwork. She comes from a lated tourism, Montana’s economy will suffer long- Native Arts and Cultures Foundation long line of artists to whom she term effects. In Montana, the creative industries: (NACF). carefully listened, absorbing • contribute over $1.5 billion to Montana’s econ- The regional award is open to the knowledge passed on to her omy accomplished American Indian and from her relatives. Now, she • represent 3.4% of the Total Gross State Product Alaska Native artists and culture bear- is a respected culture bearer in • supply 15,666 jobs, generating $883 million in ers. Following an open call for appli- her community and an accom- total compensation cations, a panel of arts professionals plished artist nationwide. Sixty percent of Montana’s artists and cul- who specialize in contemporary visual Bread creates utilitarian tural workers are fully unemployed because of arts and traditional arts reviewed objects using a pictorial style COVID-19. While the CARES Act expanded unem- 60 Native artists and selected 11 to of beadwork that features floral ployment benefits, this group is reporting only a 36% receive $30,000 fellowship awards. and geometric designs and viv- “This intensive one-to-one men- id colors. Her work is deeply success rate with Pandemic Unemployment Assis- Beaded Bag by Jackie Larson Bread tance. For this reason, MAC is dedicating the majori- toring program has proven to propel personal and a form of story- ty of CARES Act funding to support this sector. emerging artists and their careers, telling, often depicting family revitalize cultural and artistic practices within commu- members and friends from her Blackfeet community. See CARES Act, page 2 nities, and strengthen the mentoring skills of established Native artists and culture bearers,” says NACF Director See Blackfeet Artist, page 7 of Programs Francene Blythe. Montana novelist Peter Bowen remembered as a writer’s writer By David McCumber of the real-life Western character Luther Sage “Yellow- Reprinted with Permission from stone” Kelly, a soldier, frontiersman, hunter and scout. The Montana Standard, April 11 Bowen was a writer’s writer, respected for his word- Peter Bowen, a novelist who found acclaim and smithing — and his irreverence and sardonic humor. For literary success writing about the Montana he loved, died a time, he wrote columns for Forbes FYI magazine under Wednesday, April 8, after a fall at his home in Livingston. the name “Coyote Jack.” He was 74. The writer Christopher Buckley, a pretty good hand Bowen was best-known for a series of 15 mystery at comic novels himself, was the editor at the magazine novels set in the fictional Eastern Montana town of who commissioned the columns from Bowen, and said Toussaint, and featuring a Métis brand inspector named he knew he had a winner when he read the first line of the Gabriel Du Pré. first column: “Sorry to be late in answering. I sprained He also wrote a four-book series of historical novels my wrist on a pair of Jehovah’s Witnesses.” Indeed, the set in Montana in the 19th and early 20th century that column became one of the magazine’s most popular blended history and humor in a way that delighted read- features. ers and critics alike. They featured a fictionalized version See Peter Bowen, page 17 Novelist Peter Bowen (Photo by Michael Gallacher) State of the Arts • Summer 2020

the arts and humanities. I’m frustrated by the ways that inclusion tactics have sabotaged the From the Director cultural sector. The arts have demonstrated their worth in job creation, community revi- Tatiana Gant, Executive Director talization, economic development, tourism, [email protected] education, juvenile interventions, cultural preservation, healthcare, recovery from mili- tary service, elder care, mental health … the The arts help maintain list goes on. Society has flocked to the arts in this time of crisis, and yet culture is a small community and raise morale part of the recovery strategy. Photo by Czelsi Gomez The impact of the virus on the arts commu- The State of the Arts Summer issue gen- I’ve been reflecting on a distinction I heard nity is grim. What is happening in the arts is erally includes extra pages to highlight the years ago on diversity, equity and inclusion, reflective of what is happening across society. festivals and events that allow the arts to shine often shorthanded as DEI. Simply stated, Uncertainty and desperation linked to the in the most hospitable season in Montana. The inclusion and diversity are listening and pandemic have made inequities unbearable on absence of the summer calendar is just one engaging. For those holding power, it feels every level. The Great Falls Tribune printed small indicator of how different our world is accountable to invite new voices to be at the a quote by artist Ben Pease, speaking about now. table, but it often stops there. the anti-racism protests, asking, “How loud Overwhelmingly, artists and The next big step do you have to be to be heard?” I hope that 2 organizations continue to create feels much more Ben believes me when I say it isn’t a fault of and share as a way to maintain Society has flocked to dangerous, as it the messenger; the power structure has proven community and raise morale, the arts in this time of requires responding itself unworthy. despite the uncertainty. I have with a deliberate We each hold power in different ways. I faith in our creative spirit, crisis, and yet culture shift in power al- am certain, as a subscriber to this paper, that although I worry about the sta- is a small part of the most always through you share an appreciation for the value and bility of the support structure. dismantling and necessity of the arts. I hope that you’ll join us The arts sector contributes recovery strategy. rebuilding. MAC, as as we push past inclusion and work for equity. more than $1.5 billion annually an agency of state to Montana’s economy. It may be years before government, holds power and must be equita- Every action can shift power we can adequately measure how the pandemic ble and transparent. Equity becomes a wicked has changed the industry financially. The most problem, one that needs constant reexamina- Every action has the potential to shift pow- Sign up comprehensive survey that I am following, tion as, through vigilance, we improve. er. It can be as simple as buying your next gift by Americans for the Arts, has less than 75 from a local artist. As consistent as attending every city council and school board meeting for MAC’s arts organizations from Montana contributing An opportunity for equity data. Even at this point, the reported financial to understand whether the arts are present or eNews The health of the economy will be a signif- losses exceed $4 million. absent. And as deliberate as expanding your Between the quar- icant factor as we move into our new reality, Artists and independent businesses are understanding by listening to new voices with terly issues of the which I see as an opportunity for equity. even harder to track. Those contributing data the purpose of understanding. As we practice State of the Arts, our The groundwork is being laid for needing to to date report losses that exceed half of their this beyond the arts and make it the founda- staff publishes four ‘tighten our belts’ and ‘prioritize necessities,’ annual income, and dependency on sales to tion of our new normal, I am hopeful for the separate e-newsletters a slippery slope into reducing investments in world we can build. with opportunities and individuals for most of that income. information: • Artists’ eNews • Arts Educators’ eNews MAC adds Program Director Brian Moody to roster • Arts Organizations’ eNews The Montana Arts Coun- Born and raised in for me, even if it just amounts to doodling on • Public Artists’ cil’s new program director, Wyoming, he earned notes during meetings to stay focused,” he eNews Brian Moody, looks forward a bachelor’s degree in says. “Painting and drawing have taken on If you’d like to sign to exploring how art can help sociology from Linfield new meaning and importance for me now that up for one or more of build more resilient com- College in Oregon and a I share them with my daughter.” these, please offer us munities and better connect master’s in sustainable He adds that visits to local arts institutions your contact informa- people to the places they call communities from North- like the Holter Museum, the Myrna Loy, tion and what you’d home. ern Arizona University. and Grandstreet Theater “were a key part like to receive at: art. “In my role with MAC, He has lived all over the of making the town feel like home. And the mt.gov/enews or send I hope my experiences as West before moving to COVID-19 pandemic reinforced how much I us an email at: mac@ an educator, community Helena in 2018 with his rely on music, movies and creative writing for mt.gov. organizer and researcher help wife and young daugh- comfort and inspiration.” us, as a staff, think critically ter. Moody has worked Other pursuits include trail running, hik- about our programs and how in diverse roles in the ing, gardening and reading. “I do my best to they serve the public,” he nonprofit and education spend as much time as possible outside,” he says. “I feel like my formal world, ranging from says. skills as a social science Program Director Brian Moody school-garden teacher to As program officer, he’ll help coordinate researcher can help us design community organizer to several of the Montana Arts Council’s grant and deliver programs that reach unmet needs food-safety trainer. programs, provide training through classes, for Montanans. Finally, I hope I can help the The arts have been a constant companion. workshops and conferences, and offer service Montana Arts Council tell its story and the “Drawing has been a lifelong daily practice and support to the public. He’ll also help story of the people it serves.” evaluate programs and implement improve- ments when needed. He’s available at [email protected] MAC began holding information webinars June 12 that or 406-444-4700. CARES Act (from page 1) will remain available for viewing. Applications are available through the MAC website. Montana CARES Individuals will award up to $2,500 MAC anticipates announcing awards for the first round to those impacted by COVID-19. Professional artists can of grants in mid-July. Eligible and qualified applicants will State of the Arts apply to Montana CARES Recovery to recoup losses from remain in consideration until available funds are committed. canceled opportunities, up to $1,000. State of the Arts is published four “I am proud of MAC’s bold response to prioritize those About the CARES Act times a year by the Montana Arts that fuel Montana’s creative economy with their talent,” Council and produced by Lively The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security said Agency Director Tatiana Gant. “MAC took the time to Times. (CARES) Act provided $2 trillion in federal economic relief examine the field-wide resources and determine what would State of the Arts welcomes submis- to the nation, of which $75 million was allocated to the Na- serve those most at risk. These investments ensure that we sions of photographs, press releases tional Endowment for the Arts (NEA). Of that amount, 40% can weather this epidemic and maintain our culture.” and newsworthy information from in- was designated to be divided among the state arts agencies To date, the total financial impact of COVID-19 on dividual artists and arts organizations. and regional arts organizations for distribution. The NEA cultural organizations in Montana is more than $4 million. Please check with the Montana has limited the use of funds to salaries, fees for artists and In addition to assisting artists, Montana CARES Recovery Arts Council for reprint permission. other contracted personnel, or facility costs. provides up to $1,000 of reimbursement for losses related Next Deadline: The deadline for MAC received $424,400 from the CARES Act through to postponed and canceled arts programming for nonprofit submissions is Sept. 4 for the Fall is- the NEA and intends to subgrant 100%. Resources provided organizations. sue (October-November). Send items by the State of Montana will cover overhead and operations Through the third grant offered, Montana CARES Part- to: Montana Arts Council, PO Box expenses and will be used toward additional grants. MAC ners, recent grantees of the MAC Public Value Partnership 202201, Helena, MT 59620-2201; anticipates making approximately 230 awards through the can receive up to $3,000 for their on-going public services phone 406-444-6430, fax 406-444- trio of Montana CARES grant programs that add value to Montana communities. 6548 or email [email protected]. “Montana has unique challenges with access to tech- Subscriptions: State of the Arts is nology, aggravated by the closure of public libraries,” said Additional Resources available free of charge upon request Agency Deputy Director Kristin Han Burgoyne. “Staggered • Americans for the Arts, www.americansforthearts.org, as a public service of the Montana deadlines will allow us to meet immediate needs quickly offers the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource and Response Arts Council. To subscribe, call 406- while providing the time to share the opportunity through Center, a comprehensive source for arts organizations and 444-6430, or update or sign-up alternate channels.” individuals. online at art.mt.gov. Summer 2020 • State of the Arts

She will also teach at the university. McKenzie joined RMC in fall 2011, after earning a doctorate in English from the University of Congrats to ... South Florida-Tampa. She is a member of the college’s Modern Language Association and the Society of Children’s Book Writers & The fledglingfilmmakers from Illustrators. “It’s a highly competitive Helena and Harlem who received process, so winning this award is a regional Emmy Awards from the tremendous honor,” said McKenzie. National Academy of Television “It’s also a wonderful opportunity to Arts & Sciences (NATAS). During collaborate with my colleagues in the an online ceremony live-streamed humanities overseas so that, when I from NATAS NW headquarters in return to Montana, I can continue to Seattle on Saturday, June 6, officials deliver innovative teaching strategies announced that both “Looking and content to Rocky Mountain College Forward From Yesterday” (Short students.” She’s also at work on a novel Form Non-Fiction) and “EAST” for middle-school students based on (Short Form Fiction) had taken top Irish legends, and anticipates that her honors in their respective categories. Fulbright studies in Ireland will help her They now advance to the national complete that project. competition, where they will vie for the country’s top prize for student Montana The Magazine of Western production work against high History, a publication of the Montana 3 Harlem students Mia Wing, Kiahna Cochran, Mitchrena Historical Society, which announced schools from predominantly larger Begay, Nellie King and Amelia Blackcrow with MAPS that two articles published in 2019 markets. The films were created instructors Micheal Workman and Dan Molloy on the set by students of the Montana-based of “Looking Forward From Yesterday.” were recently selected for national MAPS Media Institute, and follow recognition. Flannery Burke’s article, last year’s win of three regional production awards, and one highly “‘Worry, USA’: Dude Ranch Advertising Looks East, 1915-1945,” coveted national award, from NATAS. Both films in the NATAS NW won the coveted Spur Award in the Best Western Short Non-fiction competition originated in MAPS Media Lab workshops. “EAST” was category from Western Writers of America, Inc. The article, which Send us your the result of a collaboration between MAPS and the Myrna Loy Center appeared in the Summer 2019 issue, looks at how working ranchers good news in Helena, where area students got a crash course in filmmaking from in the West shaped their own ideas of people who lived in the East as MAPS instructors in the spring of 2019. The film follows a day in the part of their campaign to woo curious sports hunters and outdoorsmen Artists, writers, mu- life of three East Helena teenagers, and touches on themes of a sense to what were becoming “dude” ranches. Magazine contributor David sicians, arts educators of places, enduring adversity, and the bonds of friendship. “Looking Beyreis was a finalist for the Spur Award in the same category for his and arts adminis- Forward From Yesterday” was the third MAPS project undertaken piece, “If You had Fought Bravely I would have Sung for you,” which trators: Please let us by the students from north-central Montana, who formed their own looked at the changing roles of Cheyenne women during 19th century know about major production company, Milk River Productions. Harlem High School Plains warfare. It was published in the magazine’s 2019 Spring awards and accom- edition. His article also won the Wrangler Award for short non-fiction. is located just across the Milk River from the Fort Belknap Indian plishments, especially Reservation, which belongs to the people of the A’aninin (Gros Ventre) Missoula, which finished 10th on the Western States Arts beyond the borders and Nakoda (Assiniboine) tribes. “Looking Forward From Yesterday” of Montana. chronicles the challenges facing the tribes as they work to preserve and Federation’s (WESTAF) roster of the 30 Most Creative Small Cities Send your good even resurrect their culture in contemporary times. It’s a powerful and in America. WESTAF, a nonprofit arts service organization and intimate story about a way of life that many feared was lost completely. leading provider of technology solutions for the arts, recently released news to Congrats, “Our tribes are doing some incredible work, and to have our own kids its Creative Vitality List, data-driven compilation that profiles and c/o Kristi Niemeyer, be able to document that work means more than you can imagine,” celebrates the arts, culture and creativity of America’s most vital 207 6th Ave. E, says Craig Todd, the production company’s Harlem High School and vibrant places and spaces. Using data from WESTAF’s CVSuite Polson, MT 59860; advisor. Both films now move on to the national NATAS competition, creative economy data tool, the index measured and ranked the or better yet, email winners of which will be announced in the fall. creative economies of Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) with kristi@livelytimes. populations under 500,000. The index includes data sources from com. the nonprofit and for-profit arts sectors with indicators in creative Judy Ericksen, If you include a award-winning occupations, nonprofit revenues, and creative industry sales. “This is more proof that our artists, arts organizations, galleries and digital photo, please professional potter make sure it’s at least and dedicated entertainment venues are essential to the economic and social vitality 200 lines per inch (lpi community of Missoula,” said Tom Bensen, executive director of Arts Missoula. volunteer, who was “Such national recognition will no doubt benefit our community when or dpi) and a file size named the 2020 we emerge from the current crisis.” Check out the whole list at cvsuite. of over 500kb. Paris Gibson Award org/the-30-most-creative-cities/#top. Winner. Selected by previous Livingston, which was named this year’s Film Friendly award winners, Community by the Montana Film Office for the community’s support Ericksen meets of the filming of “Robert the Bruce.” The community was among the award criteria the winners of the 2020 Montana Tourism Awards, recognizing the significant contributions Montanans have made to the state’s tourism of providing Judy Ericksen (Photo courtesy of the Great Falls Tribune) significant and recreation industries. impact and leadership for the community through volunteerism and performing selfless action for the betterment of Great Falls, as Seven Helena-area artists who recently were awarded $500 Grants exemplified by the city’s founder, Paris Gibson. Ericksen moved to to Artists Awards by The Myrna Loy. Recipients are ceramic artists Great Falls with her husband from Minneapolis in the 1960s. She Sara Catapano, Breena Buettner and Susan Mattson; painter became best known as an artist, crafting pieces that are both beautiful Steve Gibson; musician David Casey; pianist Charlotte Dike; and and functional. She often donates her work and teaching sessions theatre artist Errol Koch. This batch of grants specifically targeted for charities to auction or raffle, and shares her craft by teaching and artists who are financially challenged by the COVID-19 shutdown of mentoring students who are often working to overcome physical or arts activities. “It’s not much,” says Myrna executive director Krys mental challenges. She has taught classes at Paris Gibson Square Holmes. “But supporting local artists is important to us.” Museum of Art, an institution she was instrumental in creating. Her artistry has been recognized with the Governor’s Cultural Foundation Award, the YWCA Salute to Women Award, the Governor’s Arts ransitions Award for Service to the Arts and the We Stand Tall Award from the T Great Falls Area Chamber of Commerce. Among her many community Welcome to Sarah Justice, who took the helm as endeavors: she launched the YWCA’s Empty Bowls event, and single- executive director of Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art handedly made 250 bowls a year during the fundraiser’s first eight in Great Falls on Jan. 1. Justice has served The Square as years; served on the board of Gallery 16, a women’s artist co-op; has the education director since 2017, and worked as interim volunteered at the Cascade County Detention Center for two decades, executive director through the last half of 2019. After where she runs the library program; and was manager of the Cascade an extensive nationwide search in November, the board Quartet for many years. As one of her nominators said, “Judy would be agreed that she “was the best fit to move The Square the last person to seek special recognition or speak highly of her own forward with her vision and vitality.” Justice brings a accomplishments. She simply moves through life listening to others, unique perspective and experience to the position of watching for ways to help others, encouraging others, standing up for executive director. She’s a working artist and has been others, and celebrating the accomplishments of others.” an educator and business owner for many years. Hailing from the southeastern U.S., she earned her BFA from Precious McKenzie, Georgia State University in Atlanta and her MFA from associate professor of the University of Montana in Missoula. She also holds Sarah Justice English at Rocky Mountain a degree in interior design from Bauder College in Atlanta. Before College, who has received returning to academia in 2010 she owned and operated Living with a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Art Studios, which specialized in decorative wall finishes, cabinet and Program Award in the furniture refinishing, and wall murals for residential and commercial Congrats, Innovation Research spaces. “The Square is a huge asset to Great Falls, and I will do Transitions and Dissemination Program. everything I can in my tenure to grow the museum’s contemporary Condolences Professor McKenzie will art exhibitions, presence, educational programming and outreach to research at University the community,” she writes. “Contemporary art has great purpose compiled College Cork, Ireland, as in today’s time and place, and I want to spread the importance and by Kristi Niemeyer part of a project to study Precious McKenzie knowledge of it.” for State of the Arts Irish folktales and legends. (Photo by Amber Jean Reinhardt) More Transitions on next page State of the Arts • Summer 2020

nation including the Rose Parade More Congrats to ... in Pasadena, in addition to Welcome and best wishes working with to internationally recognized world-renowned conductor Norman Huynh, composers. And as who has been appointed fine arts supervisor music director of the he advocated for Bozeman Symphony. Huynh a robust arts and was selected out of six music program finalists following a year-long within the district search during the 2019-’20 and wrote the John Combs (Photo by Sara Diggins/Missoulian) concert season conducted request for the by the Bozeman Symphony Kennedy Center that created the Spark! Arts Ignite Learning program, Board of Directors, an eight- which ensures access to the arts for all of the district’s students. “I person search committee, didn’t have very many days where I felt like I had to go to work,” staff and musicians, with Combs told the Missoulian. “It was a passion, it was a mission, it was community participation. something I felt was called to early in my life.” Huynh has established – Excerpted from the Missoulian, June 7 (missoulian.com) 4 himself as a conductor with Norman Huynh Fond farewell to Gallery 16 in downtown Great Falls, which (Photo by Stark Photography) an ability to captivate an audience through a multitude closed in May after celebrating its 50th anniversary. Since the 1970s, of musical genres. “Norman is an exceptional talent and we are the women-owned gallery has exhibited the work of Montana artists in fortunate to have someone of his level of expertise help forge the many mediums, including painting, ceramics, textiles, prints, jewelry future of the Bozeman Symphony Society,” said board chair Stephen and woodworking. Longtime gallery member and ceramic artist Judy Schachman. Born in 1988, he is a first-generation Asian American Ericksen told the Great Falls Tribune that the impact of coronavirus Montana Book and the first in his family to pursue classical music as a career. Along was the “straw that broke the camel’s back.” She noted that online with his role as the Bozeman Symphony’s music director, he will shopping has changed the art market. “It’s a different world now,” Festival goes continue as the Harold and Arlene Schnitzer Associate Conductor she said. “A lot of us are getting older, and running the business takes virtual for 2020 of the Oregon Symphony. Recent conducting engagements include work.” Gallery 16, named for the street where the first storefront sat, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Rochester was launched by nine women who pooled their resources to keep the The Montana Book Philharmonic, Orchestra Sinfònica del Vallès, Eugene Symphony, doors open. It was both a place to sell their work and create in the Festival announces Grant Park Music Festival, and the Princess Galyani Vadhana Youth studio space. “They said it couldn’t be done,” Ericksen said. But by the its first virtual book Orchestra of Bangkok. He has served as a cover conductor for the end of its fifth decade, the cooperative gallery had grown to represent festival, scheduled for New York Philharmonic and Los Angeles Philharmonic with John nearly 100 artists, both men and women, at its home on Central Ave. Sept. 10-12, 2020. Williams. Huynh has been at the forefront of moving orchestral music This year, the goal is out of the traditional concert hall into venues where an orchestra is to bring the annual not conventionally found. In 2011, he co-founded the Occasional celebration of the Symphony in Baltimore, which celebrated holidays by performing Condolences to … written word directly innovative concerts in distinct venues throughout the inner-city. into the homes of As music director, he has commissioned new works by multiple The family readers across Mon- composers. He received the 2015 Yale Distinguished Music Educator and friends of Award for his work with the Portland (Maine) Symphony Orchestra’s tana and the region, acclaimed singer Musical Explorer’s Program. As the assistant conductor of the PSO William “Bill” around the country, from 2013-2016, Huynh visited over 60 schools across the state of Runsabove and even, the world. Maine and co-founded Symphony & Spirits, a series of events for (Oglala Lakota Missoula’s annual young professionals, to make the orchestra more accessible and and Northern book festival pays engaging for a younger audience. “I look forward to expanding our Cheyenne) of tribute to the tradi- collaborative efforts and building lasting partnerships with other arts Frazer. He died tion of writing in the institutions in town,” say Huynh of his new post in Bozeman. “In the Jan. 11. He was West by bringing wake of current world events, I believe that the role of the symphony born June 14, together authors is to reconnect us with each other, to facilitate healing and forward 1956, to Lloyd from across the state, momentum through the language of music.” and Margaret the Rocky Mountain Runsabove, Bill Runsabove (center) Welcome to Lauren West, and the Pacific grew up in Lame Korn, the new director of Deer and began singing when he was 8 years old. He started his own Northwest. Since the Montana Book Festival. drum group with his childhood buddies; they used a washtub as their 2015, the festival Formerly a bookseller drum until Bill’s father, Lloyd, made them a drum and took them to has been a grass- at Fact & Fiction, Korn a powwow. Runsabove became a lead singer for many drum groups, roots organization, is a native Montanan including Teton Ramblers, Bad Land Singers, Lame Deer Singers, relying on individual who graduated from the Birney Singers and Rocky Boy Singers, all of Montana; Mandaree donations, grants, University of Montana with Singers and Newtown Singers of North Dakota; Blackfoot Crossing corporate sponsor- a bachelor’s in English. She and Bob Tail Singers of Alberta; and Four Sacred Mountains of New ships, a handful of is the director of content Mexico. dedicated locals, and for The Adroit Journal, a In 1977, he and the Bad Land Singers began recording with Indian the enduring sup- reader for icehouse poetry House of Taos, and made four recordings: Bad Land Singers at Home, and the chapbook designer port of the Montana Gahomani Songs and Live at Bismarck, Volumes 1 and 2. Indian House for CutBank. She recently Records also recorded Runsabove with other drum groups, such as literary community to Lauren Korn received her master’s in High Noon Singers of Alberta, Big Bear Singers of Saskatchewan survive. English from the University and Mad Dog Singers of Crow Agency. He became lead singer of “We have worked of New Brunswick and looks forward to calling Missoula home again. Eagle Whistles of Mandaree, ND, and they made several recordings. to build upon the She replaces Tess Fahlgren and Samantha Burris, who helmed In 1982, Eagle Whistles toured Canada and the U.S., and had a event’s 30-year lega- the festival in 2018 and 2019. “As we all move through this difficult significant impact on the powwow trail with their unique rock ’n roll cy while also reinvig- time, we are delighted to be able to hand the festival off to someone style. The group also served as host drum at many powwows. orating the festival capable, hard working and experienced,” write the outgoing directors. Runsabove eventually started composing songs, which are with new ideas and “Lauren’s vision for the festival and depth of knowledge will be an still performed at powwows. He composed a song for Blackfeet fresh perspectives,” enormous asset to the future of the statewide arts community.” In activist Elouise Cobell and the theme song for Canada’s Idle No says Missoula Public response to the global health concerns around COVID-19 and the More movement. His compositions have been sung and adopted by uncertainty about shifting safety regulations, as well as the growing Library director and runners, and performed for family giveaways and Native American number of cancelled book tours and postponed book releases, the causes. In 1990, he performed with the Bad Land Singers at Carnegie board member Hon- Montana Book Festival is going to pivot into cyberspace this year. Hall in New York City for a concert celebrating Folk Masters and ore Bray. “In 2020, “My hope is, that in putting the infrastructure in place for this year’s Traditional Music in the Americas. The group also made a presentation we invite readers and virtual events, the Montana Book Festival can begin its tenure as a in Washington, DC, in 1992, “The Year of the American Indian.” writers everywhere year-round entity, operating as an online literary community based in He performed with his family on Broadway in New York City at to witness our annual education and collaboration and serving as a vital resource for readers the Symphony Space Theater, with the Bad Land Singers at the showcase, to be a and writers in the region,” says Korn. National Folk Festival in Lowell, MA, and sang for both of President lasting part of our Bill Clinton’s inaugurations and President Barak Obama’s first literary tradition.” So long and best wishes for a happy retirement to John Combs, inauguration. He was featuring in the film “Running Brave,” starring Festival events will who retired from his position as Missoula County Public Schools’ fine Robbie Benson, and taught Benson to sing a powwow song for the be viewable from the arts supervisor at the end of the school year. A native of Miles City movie. He performed for the opening and finale of the National Folk who listened to classical music as a kid, he eventually spent 28 years Montana Book Fes- Festival in Butte, where he gave a presentation on native song. as Hellgate High School’s band director and another 11 years as the Runsabove was given his native name, “Buffalo Bear,” which also tival website, www. district’s fine arts director. “He’s an incredible educator, and he’s one means “Grizzly Bear,” and is a direct descendant of Chief Little Wolf, montanabookfestival. of the top band directors in the country,” said Lewis Nelson, Sentinel Northern Cheyenne, who brought his people back from Oklahoma to com, as well as its High School’s band director and a former student of Combs, in the where they now live in Lame Deer. He is also a direct descendant of YouTube channel and Missoulian. He studied music education at the University of Montana Cheyenne Chief Wild Hog and Chief Red Cloud, Oglala Lakota. As on Facebook. and earned his master’s degree from the University of Southern a composer of original and traditional style songs, he believed it was California, where he played in the Trojan marching band and even very important to preserve the way of singing and drumming taught with the likes of Fleetwood Mac. As a teacher, he trained countless by the elders. He also added a little bit of his own style of up-tempo musicians and students whom he took to perform in venues across the singing to the powwow circuit to make people want to dance. Summer 2020 • State of the Arts

Summer Theatre (from page 1)

Meyers will urge thought of his patrons to parents – avid wear masks theatre-goers and keep a who are part safe distance of the aging in the lobby demographic and theatre. that’s most The play- susceptible to house holds “The Pin-Up Girls,” with Frances Connery, COVID com- 432 people. Courtney Quincy, Katie Kvelde and Joseph plications – “Unfortu- Kellogg, opens the Port Polson Players’ when crafting nately, we’re season, July 16-26. guidelines for thinking 170 For safety’s sake, they are breaking with the coming might be a tradition in other respects too, by seating season. full house for groups of patrons six feet apart (since capac- In addition us this sum- ity is limited, reservations are encouraged), “God Help Us” starring Ed Asner with Jay Pyette and Kate 5 to moving mer,” says making hand sanitizer available in the lobby, the opening Hagen, has a three-day run on the Fort Peck stage and Thomson. and disinfecting all of the seats in the auditori- date from late travels to Whitefish July 24-25. To help um before every performance with a backpack May to July 3, the theatre is staging the same compensate for the loss in ticket revenue, sprayer. number of shows as planned, but with smaller the theatre applied for a federal Paycheck “The players will be wearing patriotic casts and shorter runs. The theatre uses an Protection Program loan to help meet payroll masks while ushering patrons to their seats,” online ticket program that automatically takes through the end of June, and has also sought adds Koch. “We hope people who feel com- care of social distancing in the auditorium. grants to help weather the downturn. fortable will choose to visit us this summer for With a theater capacity of 1,000, “if we sell For tickets, call 406-837-4886 or visit some family-friendly laughter and fun!” one-third of the tickets, that’s still 350 peo- bigforksummerplayhouse.com. Show times are 4 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednes- ple,” says Meyers. days, Thursdays, 7 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 7 p.m. Strict cleaning protocols and distancing Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. Call 800-829- guidelines are also in place for the lobby, Across Montana: Humor, 2969 or visit www.virginiacityplayers.com. Shakespeare in concession area and staff quarters. escape and reflection Neal Lewing of the Port Polson Players After a stint in Fort Peck, mounting the Another summertime staple of Virginia the Parks will help stage and stars in the season opener, season opener, “The Sunshine Boys,” the Port City is The Brewery Follies, returning to the cancels season “The Sunshine Boys,” July 3-12. As an orig- Polson Players return to their home stage at stage at H.S. Gilbert Brewery for another sea- Sadly, Montana inal member of the Fort Peck company, “he the Theatre on the Lake. “We’ve selected the son of belly laughs, hijinks, celebrity imper- Shakespeare in the has a story about every inch of this campus.” following titles to provide laughter, music sonations, sketch comedy and plenty of music. Parks has cancelled The next show, “God Help Us” starring and heartfelt sentiment to give much-needed The season opened June 19, and continues at 8 all of its outdoor television legend Ed Asner, has a three-day escape and reflection – especially consider- p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays, with matinees at performances of run, July 17-19. Staged last year in Havre and ing the events of the past four months,” write 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through Sept. “Cymbeline” and “A 19. Until the state moves to Phase 3 or reopen- Billings, it also features Montana Actors’ The- producers Karen and Neal Lewing. Midsummer Night’s ing, seating capacity is cut in half, making atre veterans Jay Pyette and Kate Hagen. In keeping with state and federal guide- Dream.” The season continues with “Working,” reservations a must. Call 800-829-2969, ext. 3 lines, the theatre will seat no more than 65 “For the first time a celebration of the extraordinary lives of or visit www.breweryfollies.net. patrons per show, with strict social distancing in 48 seasons, we’ve ordinary people based on the book by Studs had to postpone Terkel, July 24-Aug. 9; “Love Let- Cutler Bros. Theatre in Deer our 2020 season to ters,” starring Meyers and Fort Peck Lodge opens June 19-July 12 with favorite Pam Veis, Aug. 14-16; and the “Mayhem in Montana,” an orig- 2021,” says artis- ever-terrifying “Wait Until Dark,” inal comedy written and directed tic director Kevin Aug. 21-Sept. 6. by Kelly Cutler, and featuring Paul Asselin. “However, in Show times are 7:30 p.m. Fridays Burlesque and Earl Pennyway – “two lieu of touring, we, and Saturdays and 4 p.m. Sundays; of the strangest characters you’ll as a team, have been call 406-526-9943 or visit www.fort- ever meet!” Next up is Shakespeare’s coming up with pecktheatre.org. “Romeo and Juliet,” which the creative solutions ever-inventive troupe has “adjusted to that will allow us to Bigfork: 170 might be a modern setting,” July 24-Aug. 16. continue to engage Show times for both productions are our communities a full house this year 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 in innovative ways, The Bigfork Summer Playhouse p.m. Sundays. Comedy Night returns and maintain our lights up the stage with a few con- at 8 p.m. Aug. 8, bringing SNL-style mission of reaching cessions to the coronavirus. The 61st skits to the stage. Call 406-846-4096 or underserved commu- season opens more than a month later visit cutlerbros.com for details. nities.” than usual – July 2 instead of May – MSIP, headquar- Last year’s production of “Oklahoma!” in Bigfork. and includes limited seating and fewer Playmill Theatre in West Yellow- tered on the campus shows. Otherwise, vows associate pro- for restrooms and concessions. “Reservations stone opens later than usual – June of Montana State ducer Brach Thomson, the show will go on! are imperative,” say the Lewings, who strong- 25 – and has instituted several procedures University in Boze- The season opens July 2 with the inspiring ly encourage patrons to bring masks or face designed to “ensure the protection of our man, is offering an Disney musical, “Newsies,” and a powerful coverings. amazing patrons and hard-working staff.” online video series production of “The Hunchback of Notre The season kicks off with a musical love Among these, the theatre will operate at 75% called “Reverse Tour: Dame” July 4. Two comedies follow: “Sister letter honoring veterans, “The Pin-Up Girls,” capacity; when patrons first arrive, they’ll be Postcards from the Act” joins the repertory line-up July 18, and July 16-26. Next up is Joe DiPietro’s comedy given a squirt of hand sanitizer and receive a Road.” Community “Something Rotten!” opens Aug. 1. As usual, about intergenerational relationships, “Over contactless temperature check; staff will wear members and actor the season closes Aug. 27-Sept. 5 with “Hits The River And Through The Woods,” July masks and don gloves when handling tick- alums create video from the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s.” 30-Aug. 9. The season wraps up Aug. 13-30 ets and money; and a new Evaclean system postcards extolling According to Thomson, the playhouse with another show by DiPietro, “The Last will be used for daily cleaning and infection the virtues of their recruited and signed 20 actors at auditions Romance,” which the Lewings describe as prevention. town – or a town in New York City, St. Louis and Louisville “a sweet story filled with comedy, poignancy, On a lighter note, this year’s season of mu- they loved visiting before the pandemic caused a nationwide mystery, opera and yes, romance!” sicals blends comedy, romance and adventure while on tour – and shutdown in March. The company, which Show times are 8 p.m. Thursdays-Satur- with “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” share a piece of numbers around 55 people, also includes mu- days and 2 p.m. Sundays; visit portpolson opening June 25; “Footloose,” opening June Shakespeare. These sicians, a tech crew, costumers, directors and players.com or call 406-883-9212. 26; and “Tarzan,” opening June 27. All snippets will air choreographers. shows run in repertory through Sept. 5. Call on the company’s Even though it was no longer required, the The Illustrious Virginia City 406-646-7757 or visit www.playmill.com. Facebook, YouTube whole crew quarantined for two weeks upon Players once again grace the and Instagram pages arrival in Bigfork. “That way, we know the Opera House stage in historic Vir- beginning June 29 entire company is COVID free and we then ginia City. “This is the 71st contin- with a postcard from can function like a single family home,” says uous season of the Players, so we Dr. Waded Cruzado, Thomson. are grateful we get the chance to president of MSU, “That means that we don’t have to social open our doors this year, to keep and will continue distance from each other – so you get a believ- that tradition alive,” says company through the course of able story on stage.” manager Christina Koch. the summer. It also protects the cast, who can’t realisti- Instead of three shows this MSIP is also of- cally stay six feet apart during a performance. summer, the company is staging fering online Zoom As for theatre-goers, every other row will two: the fairytale “Rumpel- classes in stage be blocked off until the state lifts its strict dis- stiltskin,” adapted by Bill Koch, combat, monologues tancing limits, with two empty seats between June 19-Aug. 2 and a classic mys- and scene study, reservation groups. Extra cleaning and sanitiz- tery, “Seven Keys to Baldpate,” beginning July 6; visit ing procedures are in place, and the playhouse Aug. 4-Sept. 6. The Virginia City Players mix comedy and melodrama. shakespeareinthe parks.org. State of the Arts • Summer 2020 The Pandemic & the Performing Arts By Kristi Niemeyer stunning newly-renovated theater in the heart When the coronavirus swept into Montana of downtown Billings that will be completed in March, the resulting closures decimated con- on-time and on-budget later this summer,” Yates certs and theatre productions and crippled the said. However, the pandemic made reopening in vibrant nonprofit arts community that supports September untenable. them. As the state begins to reopen, here are The outbreak of COVID-19 occurred as the some of the ways these groups are charting a ABT was finalizing dates for the upcoming sea- path forward toward an uncertain future. son. When the staff prepared models of socially distanced seating at a much-reduced capacity, When the COVID-19 curtain descended, Co- with rigorous sanitation, “it became clear that hesion Dance Project in Helena was forced to our best laid plans for a Sept. 12 grand reopen- cancel its school residencies and outreach class- ing were not attainable.” es for students with developmental disabilities. With scheduling upended through December, In response, the organization is creating an the ABT is working to get previously booked MCT props designer Lesley Washburn eight-class video series with an accompanying events rescheduled for 2021. Meanwhile, inter- found a way to make temperature home kit of props and materials so students can national artists were struggling to get visas. safety checks kid-friendly! still participate in creative movement classes “Most of our performances are national or 6 tailored to their unique needs. At the same international touring companies traveling from ATP Kids are at work on a re-vamped outdoor time, Cohesion is crafting a video series for outside the region through states with different production of “Moana Jr,” with limited audiences adults with physical disabilities who tend to be protocols in place,” says executive director Jan and opportunities for in-vehicle tailgating and more restricted to their home, hospital or rehab Dietrich. distanced lawn seating. environment. A recent email to patrons ends with this Groups of 10 students are rehearsing outdoors “These two programs will allow us to reach promise: “It WILL be worth the wait and quite and wearing masks. “It’s difficult, to be sure, but new audiences and potentially offer expanded the celebration when we are able to enjoy what our priority has to be keeping our students safe,” programming in the future,” says artistic direc- it seems we often took for granted: gathering says Walrath. tor Tanya W. Call. with family and friends for the best of live The community has supported ATP with do- The studio cancelled its in-person technique performance.” nations large and small. “We are grateful to serve classes but was able to shift those online via in a community that supports the arts and other Zoom and even held an For the first time in nonprofits,” adds Walrath. “It’s been heartening. end-of-session pseudo re- four decades, Missoula Symphonies cital. “That was something Children’s Theatre can- Whitefish Theatre Company was forced to cancel outdoor new and well received for celled its two auditioned cancel five shows – one-third of its season, which the small group of dancers summer camps. amounts to an $80,000 loss. Executive Director concerts who continued with online “For over 40 years, Jennifer Asebrook says the company has applied The Glacier Sym- classes,” says Call. thousands of campers for several grants from both state and national phony, Orchestra and With Phase 2 of the and staff members have sources, but to date had received no word from Chorale has post- state’s reopening in place, spent their summers on funders, “which is very stressful.” poned this summer’s Cohesion is offering sum- the shores of Flathead and So far, savings, investments and endowments popular Symphony mer camps, with an online Seeley lakes. To cancel have helped the company survive. “However, if Night at Rebecca Farm option available. The Zoom camp for the first time this continues too far into the future, we will have and the weeklong sessions are apt to contin- ever is heartbreaking for to look at staff layoffs or cutting salaries,” Ase- Festival Amadeus until ue, since “we had partic- us,” wrote MCT Exec- brook says. “Selling our seats at 50% capacity 2021. ipants join us from out of utive Director Michael will not keep us in business over the long term.” Limitations in town and out of state.” McGill and Artistic Two shows are on the horizon at the crowd size and social Although the compa- Director Joseph Martinez. O’Shaughnessy Center: a Black Curtain theatre distancing during ny cancelled its spring They promise all camp- production of “Seminar,” June 27-28, with both rehearsals and perfor- production of “Resonance,” ers will be welcomed at in-person and online viewing options available, mances would “make a shorter outdoor perfor- next year’s camps, if they and “God Help Us!” starring Ed Asner, July it difficult to reach the mance is in the works. For A young Montana Ballet Company choose to attend. 24-25. Three summer theatre camps are sched- quality of performance now, all larger performanc- student attends class online. MCT’s popular home uled for July with smaller groups and additional and listening experi- es are on hold due to the theatre program, “Play- guidelines in place for distancing and sanitation. ence that the Glacier possibility of COVID-19 flare-ups in the fall. date,” continues to offer a free step-by-step, day- WTC is currently testing new technology Symphony is known All of these factors took a toll on revenue, by-day guide to “a low-drama but dramatically for filming and live streaming shows. Post for,” says Maestro John “which will likely affect us for several months, fun experience for your whole family cast.” COVID-19, the technology could be used year Zoltek. The postpone- if not years to come,” says Call. Grants, and MCT is also developing a new program called around to bring productions to more underserved ment translates into a a loan from the Paycheck Protection Program MCT Playdate Create for presenting organiza- communities, including rural schools, assisted revenue loss in excess (PPP) have helped retain staff and keep the tions, “not to replace the tour, but to engage fur- living centers and nursing homes and prisons, of $50,000. dance center open. Call hopes additional con- ther the children as we wait for the safe return that do not have access to the arts. In response, the tributions and grant support “help us stay stable to the road and in the air to serve communities,” It could also help the other arts organizations, organization has and afloat.” says International and Public Relations director nonprofits and businesses who use the O’Shaugh- launched its “Passing Teri Elander. nessy Center and “are also looking for creative the baton to YOU” Montana Ballet Company in Bozeman Local day camps in Missoula resumed June ways to stay afloat during these unsettled times.” campaign, inviting created an Online Academy in March to provide 15 with modifications for group size, distancing, fans “to consider a classical ballet instruction to more than 200 and other considerations. “Flexibility is key, The Myrna Loy in Helena cautiously re- donation equal to, or students, ages 3 to adult. and changes will be made if necessary,” adds opened for movies in May, and in June allowed greater than, what you “My daughter was so engaged, and partici- Elander. audiences of up to 100 people (about 40% of would have spent on pated so earnestly throughout class, that I ended Since March, MCT lost approximately 25% capacity). “We are going back to our roots as a attending our summer up just sitting off on the side and watching her of the year’s revenue from cancellation or post- movie theater for the summer,” says executive pops concert and Festi- in sheer delight,” wrote one parent. “It was so ponement of live shows. Grants have helped the director Krys Holmes. val Amadeus.” clear that having a bit of expected normalcy in organization keep staff employed, develop new The summer series of live performances was Also on the chop- her day was just what she needed.” programming, and purchase cleaning supplies. cancelled due to uncertainty about the artists’ ping block: the Helena MBC also continued its Adaptive Dance Missoula Community Theatre’s season ability to travel and audiences’ willingness to Symphony and Car- Program, offering recorded lessons to students remains up in the air as surveys gauge patrons gather indoors. However, an outdoor street party roll College’s joint with Down syndrome, and made May a month readiness to see live performances. is in the works for August, and The Myrna is Symphony Under the of “Celebration and Gratitude” with additional The good news? During Missoula Gives co-producing Stackfest in East Helena, tentative- Stars. Since its incep- classes, including a special master class via in May, MCT raised a little over $33,000, and ly scheduled for Aug. 8. tion 16 years ago, the Zoom with New York City Ballet Principal many patrons have donated back the cost of The center is also exploring technologies that event has drawn more Dancer Daniel Ulbricht. tickets to cancelled performances or tuition fees might allow hybrid events focused on small audi- than 18,000 people “Connecting with our colleagues and danc- to children’s programs. “We have an amazing ences, with the capacity for viewers to participate from across Montana ers across the country in this new livestream family of supporters and friends,” says Elander. online too. A potential collaboration is afoot with and two-dozen states format has been a silver lining,” writes Artistic the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center in Big to enjoy an evening of Executive Director Elizabeth DeFanti. “Though Alpine Theatre Project in Whitefish, which Sky, which might allow artists to perform on symphonic music on physically distanced, we have not been socially typically offers lavish summer theatrical produc- each stage to small audiences, with interaction the campus lawn. distanced.” tions, has postponed this year’s production of between the two theaters. In addition to all “Jersey Boys” until January 2021. But Broad- “The idea is to use the limitations as a creative the health, safety and In light of the ongoing pandemic, “and with way talent is still converging on the Flathead challenge, and to see how we can use all this as fundraising consider- the utmost concern for the safety of its audi- Valley, this time for a series of pop-up commu- an opportunity to overcome our other biggest ations, “we must be ences, artists, volunteers, staff and vendors” the nity concerts held at various outdoor locations. challenge – geographic remoteness and travel mindful of the tens of Alberta Bair Theater in Billings has delayed Guest artists will also work with, and perform costs – to bring people together,” says Holmes. thousands of Amer- its 2020-’21 season indefinitely. alongside, Broadway Summer Training Camp She points out that The Myrna’s versatility is icans who have lost “No one is more disappointed with this students. a plus. By offering movies, concerts, workshops, their lives because difficult decision than the ABT board and “Obviously, the performing arts are hit arts education, community events and an art of this crisis,” noted staff,” said Ron Yates, president of the board of especially hard right now,” says cofounder gallery, “we can shift emphasis and move things Music Director Allan R. directors. The board has met frequently since Luke Walrath. “However, we have always told around some to survive.” Scott, “this would not mid-March to discuss how the newly renovated our students that creativity will help you find “However, like every other arts nonprofit, be an appropriate time theater would operate under federal, state, local solutions to tough challenges – and who better we are balancing out the pressures of financial to celebrate.” and entertainment-industry safety requirements. to find creative solutions than the creative arts survival, and still serving and engaging our “We have a terrific dedicated staff and a community?” audiences.” Summer 2020 • State of the Arts

Native News

Blackfeet artist (from page 1)

“My work is very narra- Bread has served as a Bread and her apprentice, Dugan A. Coburn tive and personal, telling of consultant for the Smith- (enrolled member of the Blackfeet Tribe and a family members and friends sonian National Museum descendant of Klamath, Pit River), will create and the beauty that they of the American Indian a traditional Blackfeet men’s beaded outfit. emitted to the world,” she on Blackfeet traditional These outfits are highly regarded in the Black- says. “This is the basis of my art. She has provided feet community and will include a buckskin art, my storytelling.” dozens of training classes shirt, leggings, breechcloth, belt, moccasins, Many of the beaded for adults and children gauntlets and bags. portraits she creates are focusing on Blackfeet The Mentor Artist Fellowship is a struc- derived from vintage photos beadwork, lectured in tured 15-month program designed to empower of people who her mother many venues about her artists and build capacity in Native commu- and father knew personally. art and Blackfeet materi- nities for future generations. As part of the Bread draws from stories al culture, and collaborat- program, mentors and their apprentices will 7 her parents told her about Jackie Larson Bread ed with artists throughout complete art projects by the end of the fellow- these individuals and is (Photo courtesy of the Native Arts and her career. During the ship period to broaden Indigenous worldviews interested in the physical Cultures Foundation) past half century, she has in both Native and non-Native communities. characteristics of the person in the photograph remained fascinated by the beauty, the con- In addition to the monetary award, the fellows – their hair, their clothing, the beadwork, the struction, the meaning, the color, the tactile and their apprentices participated in a two-day quillwork, the sewing, the cultural meaning, property, and the familial connection of these virtual mentorship and professional develop- and the way the individual sat for the photog- beaded pieces. ment training March 26-27. rapher all convey components of a story. In For the 2020 Mentor Artist Fellowship, Learn more at nativeartsandcultures.org. essence, she says she is painting with beads.

The Cheyenne Story wins Western Heritage Award Grants support Montana Indian Gerry Robinson’s powerful Bill Rowland and Little Wolf’s Language work of historical fiction, The great-great nephew – believes Cheyenne Story: An Interpreta- “being able to tell our own story Program tion of Courage, was awarded helps begin a long-overdue heal- The Montana De- the National Cowboy Museum’s ing process.” He spent 16 years partment of Com- 2020 Western Heritage Award for researching and writing to deliver merce has awarded Best Western Novel. The Western a historically, culturally, and Heritage Awards honor individ- emotionally accurate retelling of a total of $712,500 uals who have made significant how the Cheyenne were extricat- through the Montana contributions to western heritage ed from their Northwest corner Indian Language through creative works in litera- of the Great Plains. Program to the eight ture, music, television, and film He also worked closely with tribal governments in that share the great stories of the tribal elders and cultural leaders Montana to support American West. to accurately and seamlessly in- language revitaliza- Robinson is a Helena resident corporate the Cheyenne language tion efforts. and enrolled Northern Cheyenne Gerry Robinson, Northern into his text. Robinson’s charac- The Montana Indi- tribal member who was raised on Cheyenne, releases the first ters use the Cheyenne language an Language Program the reservation in Lame Deer. His in their dialogue, and the reader book in his trilogy about a works to protect debut novel is a compelling and devastating tribal saga. comes to know and understand balanced narrative that presents its meanings contextually with American Indian a fresh look at the origins and help from the glossary of Cheyenne words and cultural integrity by devastating results of the U.S. Army’s late ment of the Northern Cheyenne Reservation, phrases found at the back of the book. recognizing that lan- November 1876 attack on the Cheyenne – the has not been told in its entirety and has never Raised at the heart of the Northern Chey- guages spoken, writ- penultimate event that led to their temporary been written about by a member of the tribe. enne Indian Reservation, Robinson grew up ten, or in the form exile to Oklahoma. “This is an important contribution to our hearing fragmented stories about his ances- of sign language are The story begins five months to the day tribal history,” said Mina Seminole, cultural tors. He devoted nearly 20 years of his life to vital to the identities after Custer’s defeat by the Northern Chey- director at Chief Dull Knife College in Lame researching, traveling the country, and reach- of tribal nations and enne and seamlessly alternates between two Deer, in Native Sun News Today. “It is so ing back through time to reclaim his heritage. the state. narrators: Little Wolf, the Cheyenne Sweet important to tell our own stories … Maybe A published historical writer and member “Encouraging Medicine Chief, and Bill Rowland, Little this will encourage others of us to write more. of Western Writers of America, the author efforts to protect Wolf’s brother-in-law and an interpreter in the This is a real accomplishment for a Cheyenne is currently working on the next book in the employ of the U.S. Army. to do this. There are other books, but they trilogy, which will encompass the second leg tribal languages is an To date, the full story of the Cheyenne were told to white authors.” of the Northern Cheyenne’s fraught journey. important part of re- people, post-Little Bighorn to the establish- Robinson – the great-great grandson of specting the cultures of tribes in Montana,” said Department of Jay Laber’s Reborn Rez Wrecks on display at Missoula Art Park Commerce Director Tara Rice. Experience the large-scale and built large-scale sculpture that Each tribal gov- sculptures of Blackfeet artist Jay weighed hundreds of pounds with ernment will receive Laber (1961-2019) in “Reborn Rez tight tolerances. He would meticu- $89,062.50 for the Wrecks,” on display through Octo- lously sift through hundreds of parts 2019-2020 biennium. ber at the Missoula Art Park. before selecting and inserting exactly “On the Northern Laber (Amskapi Pikuni/Black- the right piece to suggest or describe feet) passed away last year at his an essential detail. Cheyenne Reserva- home on Post Creek, north of St. “For a lack of a better word, he tion, the Montana Ignatius. He leaves behind a potent was a genius,” friend and mentor Indian Language legacy of public artwork. Corky Clairmont told the Missoulian. Program has brought When he was 3 years old, “A lot of our communities have been together language Laber’s family left Montana after through a lot of hardship, and I think and culture specialists the flood of 1964 took a devastat- that determination and beauty of our from five Reservation ing toll on the Blackfeet Nation. people comes out in his work.” districts,” said Dr. When Laber returned to Montana Laber combined both expertise and Richard Littlebear, in the late 1990s, he enrolled at vision to consider all angles of each president of Chief Salish Kootenai College in Pablo sculpture, making his works appear Dull Knife College. to study forestry. While taking art active, kinetic and full of energy. classes on the side, he began mak- Bison is part of Jay Laber’s “Reborn Rez Wrecks” at the Art Park. “This exhibition is an important “The MILP has pro- ing sculptures of warriors, dancers acknowledgement of an interna- vided opportunities and wildlife out of discarded car parts. displaced his family more than three decades tionally recognized artist whose iconic public for camaraderie for In 1999, the Blackfeet Nation and the earlier. commissions are located across the state,” says specialists who are Montana Arts Council commissioned him “It’s a new twist on an old tradition … to Missoula Art Museum senior curator Brandon passionate in their to create a set of four sentries to oversee make things out of whatever was handy, and Reintjes. “The Art Park is the ideal environ- pursuit of teaching the North, West, South, and East entrances that was handy,” Laber said. ment in which to host Laber’s large-scale sculp- their own language of the Blackfeet Reservation. Laber made The artist settled on Post Creek and ture, and this is the first exhibition in the Art and culture.” these large-scale sculptures from rusted-out launched his studio, which he named Reborn Park that exemplifies MAM’s strong commit- Learn more at Rez Wrecks. He was a precise craftsman cars that were damaged in the flood that had ment to contemporary Native artists.” indiancountry.mt.gov. State of the Arts • Summer 2020 Montana musicians adapt to age of COVID-19

By Brian D’Ambrosio nity to focus on to the good things in life that For State of the Arts she adores besides music. Dropped cold-turkey into the middle of the “I’m catching up on some much needed traumatic and dynamic COVID-19 pandemic, rest from the road,” says Hays. “I’ve been Montana musicians are adjusting to life in cooking, renovating my house. I find this time an age of social limitations. The State of the to be a welcome break from performing.” Arts newspaper caught up with a sampling of musicians to learn more about how they are Marcedes Carroll: If you wanted to navigating the turbulent waters of the time. boil down this Livingston singer-songwriter’s recent debut CD, She’s Pretty, to just three John Floridis: “Like everyone else I words, you couldn’t do better than “coming have had to adapt,” says the longtime Missou- out party.” Clearly, Carroll intends to straddle la guitarist and songwriter. “I had about five multiple worlds to put in the effort to securing performances in the six days leading up to the her reputation. Monday where everything hit the fan. During As the deadly coronavirus spread across Almeda Bradshaw the last few performances, things were getting the country and disarmed the economy, Car- conscientiously worked within what she 8 super cautious, and as the week went on, there roll sought to find the reassurance of normal- considers “a pretty small niche” of music, were questions about the gigs, and each suc- cy through artistic immersion. performing statewide mostly at community ceeding day a little more concern about close “Right now, I want to keep encouraging centers and fairs along with a sprinkling of contact, and it started having people to be kind and supportive, and live regional festivals. Her inspiration has been the an effect on people going out. streams of music have given people some- clean, value-laden Gene Autry Western songs, … Businesses started adhering thing to look forward to, and to get their the ones touting values, respect, hard work, to policies to get ahead of the minds off of things for awhile,” she says. and reverence for livestock. curve, and work disappeared. It “When we get through this, everyone is While Bradshaw says that her sound and was a strange sensation to see going to realize that we need to cherish every- style won’t ever completely split from the that happen.” thing that we have. There will be gratefulness western roots she holds close, she is unshak- Professional working mu- in music and friendships and even the ability able in her belief that the future of her music sicians such as Floridis can’t to go in to work … Personally, I want to get in the time of COVID-19 must and will stand removing performance back to the fundamentals, and keep creating. develop. It won’t be drastic – she won’t be dates off of their calendars, but That’s something that will get a lot of people donning and shedding musical guises. She in a time of national emergency through.” will, however, be adding a couple of different he has made peace with the darts to her quiver. precautionary timeline. Wylie Gustafson: For the past 30 “For the past 12 years, I’ve been working “There is no sense in getting years, this Conrad native has reared and nur- my music as a business,” says Bradshaw. upset about it because it’s tured his own version of country-folk, writ- “I’ve been doing online Facebook shows happening to everyone. Being ing, singing and celebrating songs primarily since 2017, so even though COVID-19 cut my John Floridis self-employed, there is the basic financial about the ranching and western lifestyles. live shows down to nothing, I had no trouble need that we are dealing with, and needing to In the time of COVID-19, Gustafson has making good use of my online streaming Cowboy Poetry meet …” been working like crazy, but practically none experience playing for tips and merch sales. In the midst of this, Floridis is familiariz- of the labor involves music. And because I kept records and reported my Gathering ing himself with the modified role of music as “It has been catching up on fencing, income, I was able to tap into Montana’s pan- postponed a response to a critical moment. demic unemployment assistance and can “There is live streaming, and I’ll be make ends meet.” The board of direc- going with that, sticking a virtual tip jar For Bradshaw, the pandemic has been tors of the Montana out there through Venmo and PayPal, an avowed learning experience, another Cowboy Poetry and and relying on that. For someone who opportunity life presented to dig down Western Music Gath- plays music consistently, it’s so much a deep and detect the positive silver linings ering, held annually in part of your identity. To me, it’s ground- in even the darkest of clouds. August in Lewistown, ing to play music. So, even if it’s live “And now I’m getting back out doing has postponed this streaming, at least I’m playing music at live shows, so I am digging that,” she year’s gathering until the end of the day.” says. “I think the main difference for my Aug. 12-15, 2021. In addition to his regular Mon- performance future is to stream more According to a tana Public Radio show, “Musician’s consistently from my live shows and press release, “The Spotlight,” Floridis hosted a Montana work both live and online audiences at volatile uncertainties PBS special, “Live From Home,” that the same time.” created by the coro- first aired May 20 and features a host navirus threat have of musicians playing from their homes, Jessica Eve’s first big tour furnished made planning for including Jack Gladstone, Tim Fain, her a sense of well-rounded and hard- this August’s Gath- Naomi Moon Siegel, John Dunnigan, Wylie Gustafson rides the range. earned experience. With a mind chock- ering impossible.” In Melissa Forette, Philip Aaberg, Chris full of vivid memories, the Billings order to avoid put- Cunningham and Erica von Kleist. Check it farming, and renovating some pastures on musician is prepared to embark on a new ting performers or out at www.montanapbs.org/programs/live- my ranch,” says Gustafson. “The pandemic excursion. has been extremely hard on us, musically fans “in harm’s way,” fromhome/. At 32, Eve has no purist attitudes about her speaking, as we (Wylie & The Wild West) are the board opted to style of artistic expression or about the state Christy Hayes: Lately, this Butte singer/ primarily a festival band that relies heavily on of today’s commercial music. Won over by reschedule the festival songwriter admits she’s in a funny, in-between our live performances. There has been little the popular country hits of the 1990s, she’s for next summer. place, addressing and confronting the ups and we can do to transition to a nine-month future too been heavily influenced by a number of Since 1986, the downs of existence. of cancelled festivals and performances.” her parents’ favorite recordings, including the Montana Cowboy “Now it has more of a feeling of going With some cancelled shows rescheduled works of Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Poetry Gathering home,” Hays says of Butte. “I can regroup to next year, “there is a little bit of hope for and Montana’s Mission Mountain Wood Band. and Western Music and not be out on the bar scene or worrying us. There are a few private performances that With the momentum of her career coming Rendezvous has cele- about how successful I could be or won’t be. have not cancelled, so it is not a complete to a screeching halt and now a restart, she is brated the American The writing is conducive here. It’s an exciting wash out.” finding new ways to rebound, and embracing Cowboy of the Upper new phase.” Gustafson did one virtual performance for fresh inspiration in a difficult time. Rocky Mountain West. Reevaluating her own notion of self during the Kerrville Folk Festival – a video of him “I have done a few online shows and Tickets already pur- the COVID-19 crisis, she has been pouring with his guitar singing “Big Sky Lullaby.” played on my front porch for my neighbors to chased for this year’s more time into the non-profit songwriter and This summer, he plans to film videos to a keep myself performing for an audience,” says event will be honored writer-in-residence program she recently couple of his latest songs in order to fill the Eve. next year. formed called Dear Butte, an artistic retreat big void in his music. In this era of ambiguity, “Now that venues are starting to open up, Visit Montana for like-minded people who need to get away the waiting is indeed the hardest part. I am so ready to play to a live audience again. CowboyPoetry from the cityscape to create. “It will be interesting to see how the fes- They may not be able to dance or stand around Gathering.com. “I am at the point where I am not com- tivals and performances look when we start and visit but the crowds have been incredible. pletely sacrificing or pursuing or obsessing working again,” he says. “The world of mu- … They are being patient with the staff and over carving out my own ca- sicians may never be the same but the music following the rules set in place for us.” reer,” she says. “That’s where will continue somehow because we all need it Eve says she has felt and witnessed abun- Dear Butte came from, the like we need air.” dant kindness and patience from most of the need to live a whole and hap- listeners and supporters of the local music py and fulfilled life. Music Almeda Bradshaw: Call the Huntley community. and notoriety are inherently artist a traditionalist. You could even de- “It seems that they have been missing us as not fulfilling. To provide the scribe her as quaint or folksy. But just don’t much as we missed them. This life as a sing- wherewithal and the support label her “country.” Indeed, she is quick to er-songwriter and performer is a very special and to open up a lot of artistic note that there are a number of distinctions one, and I am so lucky to live in a community doors for others – to me, that between the average mainstream country that appreciates and supports me.” is exciting.” artist and the western performer she considers The shaky time of herself to be. Helena resident Brian D’Ambrosio is the COVID-19 has provided Four full-length albums and almost a author of Montana Entertainers: Famous and Hays with the solid opportu- dozen years into her career, Bradshaw has Almost Forgotten. Christy Hayes Summer 2020 • State of the Arts

“Get Well” is sweetly rockin’ and hopeful, for good reason. “Let’s call the angels, let’s hope we all get well,” Conway sings. “Blow My Top,” with its supple, serpentine clarinet licks, bucks the About Music – By Mariss McTucker explosive nature of the song’s title. I like it! The title song, “Outside 20 Grand: Not My Work Inside,” wherein Conway and Sargent sing unison lead, has a dreamy This dynamic group from Whitefish, call- quality. And Conway’s whispery crackle on the waltzy “I Just Realized ing themselves “your friendly neighborhood (I Was Drunk)” brings the late John Prine to mind. Our protagonist funk band,” has poured 10 years of powder regrets calling his ex while fairly inebriated. -keg stylings into the stew of hip-hop, R&B This is a graceful and melodic effort from a man in pain, who’s still and jazz that fuels their new album. managing to roll with life’s punches. Definitely worth a listen! Starting as a five-piece instrumental outfit, the group has since expanded their Jackson Holte and the Highway membership along with their songwriting Patrol: Last Rain of the Summer ability. They infuse nifty melodies with This rockin’ Missoula four-piece, made torrential lyrics and killer vocals, courtesy of lead singer/saxophonist up of a few of the Garden City’s “greasiest Kendra Timm. bar-band veterans” got together back in 2017. The monster line-up also includes founding members Jamie Simp- Last Rain of the Summer is their first full- son, guitar; Vincent Rannazzisi, drums; and Rebecca Nelson, tenor length album. sax, flute and keys. Others are Eric Gates, baritone sax and keys; Zac Led by vocalist/songwriter Jackson Holte, 9 Fawcett, trumpet, flugelhorn, sitar and keys; Toby Ferguson, percus- who also plays guitar, harmonica, saxophone sion; Eric Kanter, rap-style vocals; and Matt Seymour, bass. Everyone and keys, the fellas put out toe-tappin’ rock ’n roll, blues and folk-in- but Seymour adds vocals too. spired story songs and ballads. Holte credits David Olney and Levon Timm, Kanter, and Fawcett composed many of the pieces, and Sey- Helms, among others, as influences, and his earthy, melodic pieces mour wrote “Gingerwulf.” The whole band gets in on the action with reflect that. ideas, but they say listing everyone’s influences would take too long. He’s joined by Tyson Gerhardt, guitar, vocals, and accordion; Marko “We only got time for the funk.” Ha! Capoferri, bass, vocals, banjo, and Dobro; and Brian Tremper, drums State of “Gingerwulf” is about a crime-fighting pack of wolves. It has and keys. Tremper has since left the band to pursue other opportunities. an orchestral, film-like sound, with lots of cymbals and cool chords. Holte wrote all but two of the pieces, and co-wrote “Something Had the Arts Kanter’s howls top it off. I like it! a Hold on Me” with Capoferri. The traditional “John Henry’s Hammer” welcomes CDs The title song, “Not My Work,” is jazzy and light, with whimsical is reprised as a squirrelly up-tempo rocker; Holte’s baritone voice, State of the Arts flute setting up the feel. Timm politely disses another woman who which can hit the high notes too, is in fine form as he wails and growls spreads gossip about her, and refuses to be dragged into the dirt. Her his way through the song. Shades of Jerry Reed! welcomes CD sub- supple voice bends nonchalantly around the lyrics. Kanter adds some His love song to the Big Easy, “New Orleans,” is a bouncy fin- missions by Montana rap, and the ensemble lays down a relaxing vibe. gersnapper with a sprightly snare drum leading the way. It’s got an musicians for inclu- Bass thunks and sizzlin’ horns rock “Funk Penitentiary.” The infectious horn refrain and a light touch. Holte sings of leaving cold sion in the About Warden (drummer Rannazzisi) doesn’t let Timm party after the show Montana for a warmer climate and the carefree party life. Accordion Music section. The because he makes her help tear down the PA, so she’s in jail. She and and spirited bass keep this hit hoppin’! recordings must be Kanter have conversational back-and-forth vocals while drums moon- The talking blues barnburner, “Fast Lane West,” starts with trucker professional, com- walk around them. There’s loads of talent here. Check them out! chatter on the CB, courtesy of Raina Wallace. Sung lickety-split by mercially available, Holte with an emotive, sandpapery delivery, it’s about a newbie trucker full-length CDs warned to hug the center line so two racing rigs can zoom by. Yow! Arterial Drive: Isn’t Everything recorded within the Amazing? past 12 months, with This Billings band’s first full-length al- Marcedes Carroll: She’s Pretty, Vol. 1 cover art and liner bum exhibits tight musicianship and infec- Livingston vocalist/guitarist Marcedes notes. Reviews also tious melodies. They’re a full-blown ball of Carroll has a debut EP out, with seven origi- energy and talent, laying down 12 originals nal songs, five by Carroll and two co-written appear at livelytimes. guaranteed to rock you. with Jennifer Schmitt (“Downriver” and com, Montana’s Arterial Drive is: founding members “Old Man”). A legion of regional players statewide source for Drew McDowell, vocals/ guitars; Meg Gild- provides a knockout complement to Carroll’s arts and entertain- ehaus, vocals/violin; Josh Reedy, drums; Juanillo Chavis, bass/vocals; powerful voice. ment. On guitars are husband Isaac Carroll, Rick and new member Alex Campbell, bass (on two songs). The first three Brief biographical also play auxiliary percussion. Winking, David Dyas and Levi Main (he This is Chavis’s swan song. He left due to the rising demands of also plays harmonica). Dyas and Main share information on band parenthood, and sings on most tracks here. Former member Ryan harmony vocals, as do Alaina Gordon and Hannah Clemonson. Ethan members would be Supola adds piano and trumpet. Decker adds drums and percussion; pianists are Chris Cundy, Tyler helpful to the writer. Their “indie alternative” moniker includes rock, rap, Latin, country, Schultz, and Luke Simonson. Chelsea Hunt is on fiddle, Tony Polecas- Please send submis- even a little disco. They toy with rhythm and syncopation facilitated by tro plays Dobro, and Grammy-winning producer Doc Wiley adds bass. sions to CD reviewer Carroll has blues influences, like Ella and Etta, and artists like The superb drum work in tandem with the funky thunk of bass. Songwriters Mariss McTucker, P.O. McDowell, Gildehaus, and Chavis are terrific singers, too. Trio (Dolly, Emmylou, Linda). But I hear others holding sway as well. Box 81, Dixon, MT, The slow-rockin’ title song has breathy, hopeful lyrics underpinned In “Downriver,” a slowly rockin’ and bluesy ’60s belt-buckle shiner, by 10,000 Maniacs-like drum beats. The bluesy, rap-style “That’s Carroll elongates her syllables with smooth transitions à la k.d. lang, 59831. What’s Up” starts with live bar sounds and some nifty vocal percus- and emits warbly, growly inflections like Janis. She goes all out; it’s a sion, then the verses introduce each member with their own rockin’ wailer with fine syrupy Dobro. This one’s a hit! breaks. Inventive! In the pop-rock “Kisses,” Carroll expands her elastic alto with a On “Young Lover’s Games,” Gildehaus channels Adele-like stylings squealy quality, dropping deep for notes, then going high to sing a as her controlled “oh-ohs” slip into falsetto range. Whew! The tempo breathy “whisper.” picks up, crackerjack instrumentals ensue, and the marvelous hook, She’s terrific on The Band’s “Cripple Creek,” giving it an up-tem- “we dance,” takes over. Yow! po meter and swampy feel; there’s a wah-wah guitar break that really The ’60s-sounding “Sunburn” opens “Crocodile Rock”-like, with a talks, too. “Sagebrush” has nifty drum work, cool fiddle and Bonan- gorgeous sax interlude, light and sweeping, and languid lyrics. Abrupt- za-sounding guitar. ly, a Latin-hued rhythm takes over. Fun! “Old Man” is spooky and ominous. With an excellent arrangement The “Black Devil Brigade,” about the first U.S. Special Service and wicked instrumentals, it turns a nursery rhyme on its head as a Force, is complemented by the military cadence of a snare drum. Made downtrodden spouse exacts revenge on her abusive husband. “Knick- up of American and Canadian soldiers during World War II, it trained knack paddy-whack, old man.” Ha! at Fort Harrison and beguiled the Germans during the Italian Cam- Carroll recently released Vol. 2 of She’s Pretty – a second sev- paign. McDowell’s great-grandfather, who fought in the unit, survived en-song effort that includes the title song, a bittersweet ballad. injury and capture by the Nazis, escaped, and provided valuable intel. It’s a bit of a love story as well. What a chilling, moving piece! There’s Red Glow Buffalo: Sooner or Later so much more. Check it out! Bozeman rock outfit Red Glow Buffalo has their first recording out, a seven-song EP inspired by life experiences, its highs and Billy Conway: Outside Inside lows, and what goes wrong in relationships. They balance that by When Wilsall musician and rancher Billy having fun and not getting too serious. Conway discovered he had Stage IV liver The band began in 2014 when Leif Masella, lead vocals/guitar, cancer, his friends encouraged him to make and Matt Thacker, lead guitar and back-up vocals, started writing a recording. The drummer for the successful songs and performing. They later hooked up with drummer Rob ’90s alt-rock band Morphine agreed that it’d Lehrkind and bassist Greg Sullivan, who sing, too. be good medicine, and dusted off 13 songs Their Facebook page calls their music a mix of pop, fusion and he’s written over the years. rock, but there are other influential styles, too – outlaw folk and The album was produced by his long-time country, hip-hop, jam, funk and punk, and progressive rock. It all partner, musician Laurie Sargent, who put out her own album at the makes for straight-ahead rock songs with alternative nuances. same time (Smiley Face). They’re hoping to raise funds for medical The bluesy title song, “Sooner or Later,” finds drinking on the bills. No less than 12 musicians lent a hand, including Conway’s 10- schedule, but with the awareness that it could lead to trouble. The year touring partner, Jeffrey Foucault. toe-tapping hook is staccato and syncopated: “If they don’t get, if they Conway sings lead and plays guitars, drums and percussion, plus don’t get me now, gonna catch us sooner or later.” Catchy! bass, vibraphone and harmonica. Sargent provides guitar, bass and “Couch Potatoes,” a fast-paced dancer with revved up drums, is keys, and sings harmony. Morphine band-mate Dana Colley supplies about the wandering younger generation, going from one job to another saxophone and clarinets, and oodles of others add percussion, pedal trying to make it. “Well, I packed my bags and headed for the city, but I steel, vocals, and exotic African instruments, to name a few. couldn’t find work and it wasn’t lookin’ pretty,” go the lyrics. The result is a pleasing massage of the eardrums. Conway’s expres- The blues-infused rocker “Sweetest Girl” has X-rated lyrics and sive, seasoned voice exudes a world-weary quality that commands at- some dexterous whistling, and “Nothing Left to Give” is just as it tention, and his drum work is, as always, impeccable. He’s tight, taste- sounds – a man is worn out by loving someone who doesn’t give back. ful and understated on swampy blues, rock, folk and country styles. It’s got a boomy tom drum and Yardbird-like the background vocals. State of the Arts • Summer 2020

Lookout towers were the ultimate in social distancing. Although most of these iconic 20th century buildings are obsolete, lookouts were once main- bout ooks tained by individuals who accepted isolation, erratic weather patterns, boredom, A B tedious work and the unexpected visitor, animal or human. Or, if it became intolerable, they gave up and abandoned their posts. Fiction Schick has a master’s degree in linguistics and owned and managed a for- eign language company in Arizona before moving to Bigfork. This is her fourth Blood Fire Vapor Smoke novel set in Montana; other titles include Lila, A Life of Her Own and Minna. By Shann Ray Retribution and grace coexist in this often dark, yet mesmerizing collection of stories by Non-fiction Montana-born author Shann Ray. The slim vol- ume is packed with so much tender, lyrical lan- guage, then a punch of violence, a fierce, bloody American Zion: Cliven Bundy, God descent: “In the hearts of men a fervor gestated, and Public Lands in the West born of that which conceals and hides and makes By Betsy Gaines Quammen its way as of the owl or the snake, in silence, What happens when members of an Amer- unwanted, deadly.” That fervor collides again ican religion – one built in the 19th century and again with a more benevolent force: “love is on personal prophecy and land proprietorship stronger than death … love does not let go.” – assert possession over western federal lands, 10 Ray, who spent his middle school years armed with guns and a certainty that God wants on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation, revisits Cheyenne history in “Black them to go to war? Kettle,” his telling of the terrible massacre at Sand Creek, and “Black Wound,” American Zion is the story of the Bundy about the 32 Cheyenne men, women and children killed near Hat Creek. In family, famous for their armed conflicts over “Spirit of the Animal,” a white man kills a wolverine, and is wed to Bird in public lands in the West. With an antagonism Ground, who restores him to life. In “The World Clean and Bright,” a cycle of that goes back to the very first Mormons who violence and loss is met at last with grace and forgiveness. fled the Midwest for the Great Basin, they hold How to The triumphant “Fourteen Types of Belief” follows a young man who heals a sense of entitlement that confronts both law from the loss of his father – “a man who loved basketball like he loved family” and democracy. submit a book – by excelling at the sport. Bozeman historian Betsy Gaines Quammen The book’s one long poem, “City on the Threshold of Stars,” merges examines the roots of the Bundys’ confrontations, and how history has shaped for State of personal history and world history, as the Nazis destroy Prague and lay waste an often-dangerous mindset that today feeds the militia movement and threat- the Arts to an entire village. The author is of German and Czech descent, his grandpar- ens public lands, wild species and American heritage. ents married during World War II, and his beloved daughters: “How like your “Brilliant and electrifying … Gaines Quammen’s voice is bright, engaging To submit a book mother you are. So ready to defend humankind.” published in the and smart,” writes Terry Tempest Williams. “Her vision calls for an ecological Kirkus, in a starred review, praises the book’s “incisive and riveting tales wisdom that can govern our communities, both human and wild, with rever- past 12 months by with a diverse cast courtesy of a skillful, expressive author.” ence and respect.” a Montana author Ray, who grew up in Montana, teaches leadership and forgiveness studies at The author received a doctorate in environmental history from Montana for inclusion in the Gonzaga University. This is his second collection of stories. He’s also written a State University in 2017, and has studied various religious traditions over the novel and four books of poetry. years, with particular attention to how cultures view landscape and wildlife. About Books section – Kristi Niemeyer of State of the Arts, She lives in Bozeman with her husband, writer David Quammen. email the following information to kristi Eden Mine Cheatgrass Dreams By S.M. Hulse @livelytimes.com or By Theodore Waddell In Eden Mine, the award-winning Montana The West has a storytell- [email protected]: author of Black River examines the aftershocks ing history, and everyone • Title, author, of an act of domestic terrorism rooted in a small has a story. This is artist publisher and Montana town on the brink of abandonment. The Theodore Waddell’s – an crisis tears apart a family, tests the faith of a pas- month/year pub- illustrated mosey through tor and the loyalty of a sister, and mines the deep lished; the landscape, livestock and rifts that come when the reach of the government colorful characters that made • A brief descrip- clashes with individual freedom. up his life as a cattleman tion of the book For generations, the Fabers have lived near in a remote part of central (no more than 200 Eden Mine, scraping by to keep hold of their family’s piece of Montana. Jo and her brother, Montana. The essays that words), and a short compose this memoir have bio of the author; Samuel, will be the last. Despite a long bat- tle, their property has been seized by the state much in common with his • A cover image: through eminent domain – something Samuel art. They are frank, evocative minimum 200 dpi in deems a government theft. sketches (each accompanied pdf or jpg format; As Jo packs, she hears news of a bombing. Samuel went off to find work by a painting or line drawing) that deftly combine the abstract and the literal to in Wyoming that morning, but soon enough, it’s clear that he’s not gone but communicate the persistent struggle and beauty of ranch life. • If other publica- The illustrations share DNA with the super-sized abstract impressionist tions or authors have missing. And the 9-year-old daughter of a pastor at a nearby church lies in crit- ical condition. Can the person Jo loves and trusts most have done this terrible paintings for which Waddell is known, but are more narrative in nature. reviewed the book, thing? “Theodore Waddell writes of his wild reverence for the land and the fellow send a brief sampling “Hulse … perfectly captures not only the landscape of the American West, beings with whom he shares Her as if he’s slapping oils onto colossal canvases of those remarks. but also what it feels like to survive in a town that is dying,” writes Alex Zenter – unafraid to lay it on thick and gritty, and you bet, poetically musical and Books submit- in The New York Times Book Review. Author Molly Gloss called it “luminous, sentimental,” writes author and poet Paul Zarzyski. Waddell is a recipient of Montana’s Governor’s Arts Award and the subject ted to State of the deeply moving, and insightful.” The author’s first novel, Black River, was a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway of a major retrospective celebrating his career, Theodore Waddell: My Mon- Arts appear in this Award for Debut Fiction, an ABA Indies Introduce title, an Indie Next pick, tana, published in 2017. He and his wife, Lynn Campion, divide their time publication at the and the winner of the Reading the West Book Award. between homes in Sheridan, MT and Hailey, ID, where he continues to paint Montana Arts Coun- almost every day. cil’s discretion and as Gone Alaska space permits, and Forty Years a Forester By Dave Barrett will not necessarily In the debut novel by a Missoula author, Adam By Elers Koch Elers Koch (1880–1954), a key figure in be reprinted at Lively Porter leaves his North Idaho home for adventure the early days of the U.S. Forest Service, was Times.com. on a fishing boat called the Western World and trolls the waters of southeast Alaska with an enig- among the first American-trained silvicultur- matic skipper named Philip Swanson. ists, a pioneering forest manager and a master Adam is thrown into a world that is completely firefighter. By horse and on foot, he helped foreign to him. In this coming-of-age story, he establish the boundaries of most national learns about the complex relationships between forests in the West, designed new fire-control men and women, his place in the natural world, strategies and equipment, and served during the and the damage humankind is doing to the natural formative years of the agency. environment. Forty Years a Forester, Koch’s entertaining “This sharply written story offers first-hand and illuminating memoir, reveals his contribu- insights into a young man’s hard-earned lessons in tions to the incipient science of forest man- a hostile yet appealing voyage of discovery,” writes Phil Fandozzi, Professor agement and his role in building the human Emeritus at the University of Montana. And Gabriel Tan, in Prism Review, relationships and policies that helped make the says the novel “has a certain charm that I haven’t seen in a while. The message U.S. Forest Service, prior to World War II, the encourages us to think more about the effects of overfishing on both the envi- most respected bureau in the federal govern- ronment as well as on humans.” ment. Dave Barrett teaches writing at Missoula College. His work has appeared Koch grew up on the Montana frontier in the late 1800s. After earning a most recently in New Reader, Raconteur, fresh.ink and The Bark. master’s degree in forestry from Yale University in 1903, he joined the USDA Bureau of Forestry. In addition to being a major innovator in forest manage- ment, Koch was a skilled mountaineer, an outspoken wilderness advocate and The Lookout Woman a successful novelist. By Mae Schick In his foreword, prize-winning author John Maclean praises Koch’s legacy Bigfork novelist Mae Schick’s newest book, “of close observation of the natural world, original thought, and the courage to The Lookout Woman, is set on a fictional peak express a conviction.” overlooking Glacier National Park during World War II. Florence has fled a stalled marriage in Ernest Hemingway in the Yellowstone High Country Missoula to become a fire spotter. Martin is a Nazi saboteur assigned to blow up a Canadian By Chris Warren Nickel operation. In the 1930s, iconic American author Ernest Hemingway spent five sum- The story pairs an exhilarating backwoods mers at a ranch on the edge of Yellowstone National Park, where he did some adventure with a fight for survival and the raw of his best writing. His experiences in the mountains are connected to 12 of his violence of a hunted man, all against the power- most famous works, including For Whom the Bell Tolls. ful backdrop of the natural world. Summer 2020 • State of the Arts

Poetry About Books Mostly Cloudy By Mark Gibbons Hemingway declared that the ranch near Missoula poet Mark Gibbons shares 50 Cooke City was one of his favorite places to poems in his fourth collection from Foothills write in the world, on par with Paris and Madrid. Publishing, Mostly Cloudy. His often blunt, Yet Chris Warren’s book marks the first time blue-collar writing eyeballs the characters and this period has been thoroughly examined. After landscape of his home, from the Clark Fork years of painstaking research, the Cooke City River that flows through it to the fortunate resident takes readers on an astonishing journey denizens of “Sleepy Inn,” with cable and a bot- into one of the most important periods in the life tomless pot / of Boyd’s in the office / some retro of the Nobel Prize winner. accommodation / your age where the women / Warren examines what Hemingway did and outnumber the men / two to one, and all wrote during those five summers, and how his the ice / you can scoop is free. experiences and the people he met shaped his “While Gibbons writes often about music life and work. His book portrays a Hemingway of a certain era (Joplin, Hendrix, the Grateful that few readers knew existed, living in a place Dead), his voice is its own kind of music, a kind that few scholars knew was so essential to his that offers wisdom and comfort for this wild ride we’re on,” writes author writing. In an appendix titled “Following Papa’s Footsteps,” it also offers a list Melissa Stephenson. “At the end of these pages I’m left crying and laughing, 11 of places to stop on “a Hemingway pilgrimage to the area.” with little fear of whatever comes next. “ Warren, who spent years researching Hemingway’s connection to the area, The collection also features seven black and white photos by Kurt Wilson. presented a paper on the author’s final short story, set in Cooke City, to the “I think photography and poetry have a lot in common,” the poet told the Hemingway Society in Paris in 2018. His research was instrumental in bringing Missoulian. “It’s just that little snapshot, it’s just that little glimpse, that little the society’s biennial conference to Cooke City and Sheridan, WY in 2020. moment that both of those things, those two art forms capture.” Gibbons teaches at area schools through the Missoula Writing Collabora- tive, and is involved in the Montana Arts Council’s Poetry Out Loud program. A Wild Land Ethic: The Story of Wilderness in Montana Nominations Edited by Dale Burk and Wayne Chamberlin Reimagining in 2020: Poems: First Reflections More than 40 writers – many of them pio- By Laura Keller-Wolff Open for neers of the wilderness movement in Montana – With Reimagining in 2020, author Laura Montana and 32 photographers tell the story of wilderness Keller-Wolff’s second book in a series on the preservation in Montana. Each donated their theme of reimagining, she challenges readers to Center for the words and images toward the collaborative reach for the poetics of heart and soul in times efforts that inspired and fueled this collaborative of extreme instability. Book Prize effort. In “Not Noticing Is Weird,” she asks readers The Montana Some of the most dedicated and influential to consider what sustains us: that turquoise lake Center for the Book wilderness advocates in the state contributed to / those navy surfaces, edging from a / stony (MCB), a program of the book, including Jim Posewitz, Hal Harper bottom, deep mysteries and cosmic / equations. Humanities Montana, and Dr. John A. Vollertsen of Helena, retired out- What rock holds you? is now accepting fitter Arnold “Smoke” Elser of Missoula, Greg “These times push us to the edge of every Schatz of Columbia Falls, Peter Bengeyfield of sense perception, where steps toward a new nominations for the Dillon, Bill Cunningham of Choteau, George world are inches away,” says the author. “Yet, fourth annual MCB Wuerthner of Livingston, and Karen Steven- we need to create a bridge from volatility to the Prize. The nomination son of Terry. The contents are divided into five new sources of depth, symbolism and non-lit- deadline is July 15, sections: Context, Perspective and Reminisce, Places of Special Legacy, Voices eral footholds to carry our world beyond. That 2020. For the Wild, and The Task Before Us. The appendix lists established and pro- bridge is poetry: A sister to art, a brother to posed wilderness areas in Montana as well as wilderness-oriented conservation peaceful co-existence.” The Montana organizations in the state. Keller-Wolff is the founder and director of Spiralation, Inc., and managed Center for the Book Dale Burk of Stevensville and Wayne Chamberlin of Helena served as The Mural-Poetry Project, which brought youth and elders together to create Prize will be awarded co-editors of the book and Burk also wrote its foreword. The Montana Conser- 13 murals in Flathead County and one in Lincoln County, featuring local to up to five pro- vation Elders, a nonprofit group based in Helena, helped develop the book in history, art and poetry. Her Dream-Well Project aims to generate poetry and art grams across the concert with Burk’s Stoneydale Press in Stevensville. The process took over from dream analysis. Learn more at laurakeller-wolff.com. three years to bring to fruition. state, nominated by a Kids’ Books community member Roadside Geology of Montana or self-nominated in El Copihue recognition of their By Donald Hyndman and Robert Thomas; Illustrated by Chelsea Feeney By Susan Barfield, Alvaro efforts to promote With summer stretching before us, what better Osses, Robinson Ancamilla, literacy and litera- time for a road trip armed with the latest edition Diego Ancalao, and Nilsen ture in their region. of Roadside Geology of Montana? Ancamilla With support from a National Award-winning The Roadside Geology series originated programs will receive in 1972 with Roadside Geology of the North- Geographic Society grant, five ed- ern Rockies, followed 14 years later with the ucators (including one Montanan) a $1,000 cash award, bright-yellow Roadside Geology of Montana. collaborated to write a tri-lingual be featured on the Now, nearly 50 years after the first book, (English, Spanish, Mapudungun) Montana Center for Mountain Press has released this completely children’s book based on a Mapuche folktale; illustrations are by students in Mapuche schools from Araucania in southern Chile. the Book online plat- revised full-color second edition that, like so forms, and have their many things in Montana, is big. The state brims The Mapuche are the largest indigenous culture in Chile and the book’s with geologic wonders, from the northern edge of mission is to teach respect for all cultures. The folktale tells the story of how events promoted by the Yellowstone caldera, the world’s largest and most violent volcano, to fossils Chile’s national flower, the copihue, got its name. The tale involves the ro- Humanities Montana. buried for millennia in Montana’s badlands, to the vestiges of ice-age floods mance of a prince and princess from two rival tribes, who fall in love. There is The prize recog- that drained Glacial Lake Missoula. an introduction of Mapuche culture at the beginning of the book and enhance- ment activities for readers at the end. nizes programs that Like its predecessor, this edition begins with a chapter encapsulating “The offer creative and First Four Billion Years,” then traces the rocks and geology found along each In addition to limited hard copies of the book, it is available as a self-pub- major highway in sections devoted to Northwest Montana, Southwest Montana lished eBook, which is narrated in the three languages by three of the au- wide-reaching literary and Central and Eastern Montana (each with its own road guides). While the thors. Access the eBook for free at: www.msubillings.edu/coefaculty/barfield/ and literacy program- format is the same, the authors rewrote the text to appeal to both geologists and projects.htm. ming. A list of past amateur enthusiasts, and updated maps and photos. Four of the five co-authors are from Chile; three are Mapuche, the fourth a Chilean teacher. Montana co-author Susan Barfield, Professor Emerita from winners and more Written by two geologists, this guide offers an accessible and comprehen- information about sive tool for exploring the rocky underpinnings of our vast state. Montana State University Billings, has co-authored two other tri-lingual chil- dren’s books. She is executive director of the non-profit Project International the nomination pro- Pride. cess is online at www. The Father of Glacier National Park: Discoveries and humanitiesmontana. Explorations in His Own Words The Story Tree – Year One org/montana-center- By George Bird Grinnell (compiled by Hugh for-the-book-prize/. By S.A. Bergquist and illustrated by Jamie Carrier Grinnell) Any organization or George Bird Grinnell was a prolific writer and Dylan loves his time at the cabin each record-keeper. After a long day’s hunt or explora- year. He loves the mountains, the river, the group with a literary tion, he diligently made time in camp for meticu- wildlife and the adventures. Most of all though, program is eligible, lous journal entries. Dylan loves spending time with his Papa, and regardless of nonprof- With his small group of explorers, he discov- especially hearing stories each night under the Story Tree. it or for-profit status. ered and named 40 geological features east of the In awarding the Prize, Continental Divide and west of the Blackfeet Res- From Bartleby the Bear’s incredible itch, to ervation. His journal entries became the backbone Theo the Fish’s scary first day at a new school, the Montana Center of a series of articles he wrote about his trips from Dylan (and other young listeners) uncover time- for the Book prioritiz- 1885 to 1898 for publication in Forest and Stream. ly, entertaining stories, with lively, imaginative es geographic diver- His discoveries, writing and leadership eventually illustrations. Author S.A. Bergquist has always been a sity with an emphasis led to the creation of Glacier National Park. on organizations that The great West that George Bird Grinnell first storyteller, whether it’s on stage as an actor, encountered in 1870 as a 21-year-old man was shortly to disappear before director and producer, in the classroom as the reach rural popula- his eyes. Nobody was quicker to sense the desecration or was more eloquent theater teacher at CMR High School in Great tions and youth. in crusading against the poachers, the hide-hunters, and the disengaged U.S. Falls, or among family and friends. Now, retired Congress than the “Father of American Conservation.” from teaching, he and his wife, Patty, spend as In this book, distant cousin Hugh Grinnell compiles first-person narratives much time as possible with their grandkids. from unpublished journal entries, personal correspondence, newspaper editori- Illustrator Jamie Carrier is a Montana native and half of the Americana als and dozens of articles to take readers back to tell the early story of Glacier. duet, The Lucky Valentines. John Taliaferro, author of Grinnell: America’s Environmental Pioneer and His Their book was published by The Get It Factory in January 2020. Restless Drive to Save the West, wrote the foreword. State of the Arts • Summer 2020 The Pandemic & the Visual Arts By Kristi Niemeyer Small Business Administration and a grant from Museums and galleries across the state were Humanities Montana. abruptly forced to close in March and find The #GivingTuesdayNow campaign brought innovative new ways to reach audiences with in an additional $2,000 from local sources, exhibits and educational offerings. Most have which helped pay for daily operations and the reopened, but with new safety protocols and an new website. Meanwhile the staff took advan- a more vigorous online presence. Here are some tage of the two-month closure to clean, disinfect examples: and paint the gallery and reinstall artworks.

Billings & Beyond Helena For Jeremiah Young, owner of Stapleton After cancelling the annual Spring Art Walk Gallery, a circa 1913 photo of his Stapleton on May 8, Downtown Helena came up with a Building – home to both the gallery and Young’s Window Art Walk. Twenty-five artists adorned Beth Lo’s playful admonition is posted interior design business – draped in red, white the windows of more than 20 downtown busi- at the Radius Gallery. and blue bunting sparked the idea for a new nesses with images that demonstrate social dis- this time we are living.” Their collaborative show. tancing. The community was invited to decide works will be presented in 2021. 12 “I have been percolating an idea for some on Best of Show via Facebook. Voting ends June Open AIR founder and director Stoney Sass- time around that image and the idea of ‘show 30 and the winner will be announced July 1. er, an artist herself, has been in communication the flag’ – meaning to stand up for, support or The Montana Historical Society reopened with other artists navigating a range of difficult defend something or someone,” says Young, to the public June 9, with rigorous cleaning situations during the pandemic. who also serves as gallery co-curator with protocols, new hand-sanitizing equipment and a “Some I have spoken with have lost loved Abigail Hornik. “We began reaching out to our request that visitors and volunteers limit social- izing with staff. ones, and many have experienced real difficul- The MHS also offers innovative online “Stay ties through isolation, anxiety and depression, Connected” activities, including the “Corona- financial insecurity, and national and global virus Quarantine Challenge,” a riff off a Getty issues,” she writes. “Simultaneously, I have Museum effort. MHS is posting two-dozen pho- also seen artists take advantage of this time to tos of art from its collections and asking people develop and grow their creative practice, to to re-create them using family or common savor long periods of time for contemplation and household items and then post photos of their reflection, to take deep breaths and hold space re-creations to the MHS Facebook, Instagram for the observation of their existence – often all and Pinterest sites. at the same time.” “We thought it would be a fun diversion Like all nonprofits, Sasser says her orga- for individuals and families who are spending nization has taken a significant financial hit, a lot of time at home these days,” said Kirby compounded by the postponement of a major Lambert, the MHS Outreach and Interpretation fundraiser originally slated for May. The support “American Me” by Ben of sponsors and the local and regional communi- artists more than a year ago, asking for works Program manager. He added that if enough peo- Pease is part of “Show ty ensures Open AIR can continue through this inspired by that concept – and of course with ple participate, the re-creations could become the Flag” at the Staple- fall, “but it is unclear how we will make our way no idea the show would be opening in a time of their own exhibit in the future. ton Gallery in Billings. forward.” pandemic and protests.” Still, she sees some positives in the The new exhibit, “Show the Flag,” way the pandemic has evoked a sense opened June 4 with a virtual gallery Hockaday’s of community and generosity. “I think tour via slideshow on the Stapleton during a time that can feel helpless and Plein Air Gallery website and the option of out of control, it can feel really good to viewing by appointment. The show Glacier offers identify where you can take action and is populated with work by a dozen feel responsible for doing good in the remote option of the gallery’s artists, including Ben world,” she writes. The Hockaday Pease, whose work is an integral part Radius Gallery limits occupation to Museum of Art in Ka- of the Chicago Field Museum exhibi- 25 at a time, and asks “for your safety lispell hosts the 13th tion “Apsáalooke Women and War- and ours that visitors wear masks, accept iteration of “Plein riors” (closed abruptly in March due a squirt of sanitizer upon arrival, and Air Glacier: Paint to COVID-19), and Governor’s Arts practice social distancing from those not Out” in June. Artists Award-winner Kevin Red Star. in your immediate party.” traditionally travel to Three short films have also been While closed in April and May, the Northwest Montana uploaded: “Behind the Scenes at Sta- gallery upgraded its website, explored to paint outdoors in pleton Gallery,” which follows Young Coronavirus Quarantine Challenge at the Montana His- more digital marketing strategies and Glacier National Park and Hornik as they unpack and hang torical Society: On the left is an undated self-portrait by purchased a 3D camera to provide virtual and the nearby Swan the new exhibit, a videos of artist Judd Robert De Niro Sr. from the MHS collection; on the right is a reproduction with Zane Talwani of Helena. tours of the space. and Flathead valleys. Thompson “grafitti-ing the gallery” and “This is pretty sophisticated tech- Due to COVID-19, a gallery conversation with Kevin Kooistra of nology that allows digital visitors to actually this year’s Plein Air the Western Heritage Center. navigate through the gallery spaces at their own Glacier 2020 includ- “While always intended to be meaningful on Missoula pace and select ‘hotspots’ that give them more ed an option for a variety of levels, ‘Show the Flag’ has gained The Missoula Art Museum reopened to information about the works that interest them,” out-of-state or im- unexpected importance from this time we’re the public June 4 with guidelines in place for writes gallery director Lisa Simon. mune-compromised living through,” says Young. increased cleaning, reduced building occupancy, Visit www.radiusgallery.com to experience artists to participate For the first time, theYellowstone Art Mu- and more. these 3D tours, which are now a standard feature remotely by painting seum and the Billings Symphony Orchestra “MAM was comforted by the support of of each new exhibit. in their own back- and Chorale had planned to combine commu- friends, members and donors who wrote encour- yards and submitting nity favorites: Summerfair and Symphony in aging notes and gave donations after the muse- their work digitally. the Park, June 26-28 at Pioneer Park. However, um closed in mid-March,” writes Carey Powers, Great Falls All works created the pandemic and social distancing derailed membership and marketing coordinator. The C.M. Russell Museum Complex are available for pur- a collaboration that was expected to include Virtual public programs have included inter- reopened June 25. To protect guests, staff and chase during a special more than 100 artists and musicians and attract views with exhibiting artists, while educational volunteers, parties larger than 10 individuals online art auction, around 10,000 people over three days. offerings, like distance-learning platforms and must enter the museum in a staggered format. 5-8 p.m. June 27 The YAM elected to move Summerfair from art-making worksheets, helped support parents, Although guided tours have been suspended and may be viewed the park to the “cloud,” with an online event caregivers and teachers during school closures. through September, a new gallery map and online June 23-July 11. June 22-28 featuring both national and local In-person events, including summer camps, a marked pathway through the museum help Proceeds benefit the artists. In keeping with the spirit of arts, craft, have resumed with a limit of nine participants. guests enjoy the museum while minimizing museum’s educa- food and fun, the YAM also invited food trucks A new series called “Looking Together” features contact with others. Museum staff wear masks; tional programs and to park onsite at the YAM and partnered with twice-daily tours led by MAM staff members visitors are encouraged (but not required) to do exhibitions and help the Billings Symphony to bring music to the Tuesday through Friday until Aug. 14. the same. support artists, many Summerfair website. Open AIR residency program was in the According to the website, The Russell Live whom have been “We look forward to our future collabora- midst of jurying local, national and international Auction, originally slated for mid-March, has severely impacted by tion next year, when we plan to celebrate these applicants for upcoming artist residencies when been rescheduled for Sept. 10-12. Auction art- pandemic closures amazing events of visual and performing arts the shutdown occurred in March, and opted to works are currently on display; visit cmrussell. and cancellations. with you all once again at Pioneer Park,” wrote limit residencies to artists living and working in org for the online catalogue. The sixth annual executive directors Bryan W. Knicely and Igna- Montana. Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art “Timeless Legacy” cio Barron Viela in a joint press release. The first six-week sessions begin June 29, reopened in late May with enhanced cleaning exhibition and fund- While the Carbon County Arts Guild & with the final summer residency wrapping up and safety protocols and began offering online raiser, featuring 19 Depot Gallery in Red Lodge reopened June Aug. 30. Artists plan to give on-site talks in classes for individuals and families June 1. The critically acclaimed 13, the organization cancelled a major source of open-air settings and some will offer workshops Square’s 23rd art auction and exhibition – the women artists from revenue, the annual Art in the Beartooths fund- during their stays (learn more about program- primary fundraiser and benefit for the museum – western Canada and raiser. Director Kim Kapalka has been “working ming at www.openairmt.org). is still scheduled for Aug. 29, outdoors. the United States, is diligently to find other sources of revenue,” Open AIR also initiated CoLab MT+ to The Square received a $5,000 CARES Act scheduled for which have included infusions from the State connect Montana-based artists with those living grant through Humanities Montana to help cover 5-7 p.m. Aug. 8. The of Montana for online art learning experiences and working outside of the state to make work general operating costs – a welcome infusion exhibit is on display and exhibition opportunities, loans from the together over the coming year “in response to that will help “keep our institution thriving,” Aug. 11-Oct. 31. Summer 2020 • State of the Arts

Pagliaro moved to Montana in 1994, and continued to work as a muralist and commissioned painter, showing her work in Livingston About Visual Artists and Park City, UT. She retired a few years ago, which has allowed her the freedom to follow her instincts and paint what she is most passion- ate about. Kristi Hager: Equal: A Work in Progress “I don’t think these are going to be crowd pleasers,” she told the Through Sept. 17 at the Yellowstone Art Museum in Billings Bozeman Chronicle in 2018 of her new direction. “But it’s what I have Artist’s website: kristihager.com to do.” Missoula-based painter and photographer Kristi Hager is making equality a work James Weikert: Familiar Landscapes in progress with a series of July 1-31 at The Artists’ Shop, Missoula larger-than-life paintings of Artist’s website: www.jamesweikertoriginalart.com women. Bozeman artist James Inspired by the 2020 cen- Weikert offers a fresh take on tennial of women’s suffrage, “Familiar Landscapes” with Hager says, “I was thinking of a series of new oil paintings the long struggle to get equal focusing on some of the rights for a lot of people, not favorite places he has visited just women.” in the past few years, from With the exception of the Missouri Breaks to North 13 Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Cascade National Park. this series of portraits high- The oil painter and archi- lights women from the artist’s tectural engineer was born own circle who are working to in Florida, grew up in New overcome adversity. AMM by Kristi Hager Hampshire and graduated “I started with my great from Norwich University in grandmother, mother, goddaughter, friends and a hero,” said Hager. central Vermont with a degree The translucent works are painted on thin, un-stretched muslin using in architecture. Drawing on Send your washes of gray paint. Each head-and-shoulders portrait is unsmiling, his background in architec- Anne Lake by James Weikert submissions and projects an aura of competence, confidence and quiet power. ture and love of the outdoors, All the women depicted in the show have experienced some form of he created a painting style that blended elements from both the built for About gender discrimination. “Ask any woman you know, and you are likely and natural environments. His early oil paintings reflected the New Visual Arts to hear a story,” Hager says. “I hope the young girls included in the England landscape of his youth. With About Visual exhibition do not have the same kinds of stories to tell in the future.” Weikert moved to Montana in 2003, and his paintings were imme- Arts, State of the Arts Each work was painted in acrylic on cotton scrim and is titled with diately influenced by the dramatic mountains that surrounded him. His continues to profile the individual’s initials. Near Hager’s self-portrait, KJH, are portraits of background in architecture “helps to give me a unique perspective of living Montana artists her mother, NEH, and immigrant great-grandmother, AMM, who died the forms, colors, and patterns present within the places I visit,” he (no students, please), in 1924. writes. whose work is the “We stand on the shoulders of giants and we are asked to be giants Weikert recently completed the Montana Arts Council’s Montana focus of a current for the next generation,” says the artist. “Our time here is short, but Artrepreneur Program, which helped him gain a better understanding exhibit in Montana important.” of how to grow a sustainable art business. In addition to a full-time (on display during The installation threads through the first floor of the museum, con- job in architecture, he currently maintains a studio at The Foundry, a some portion of the necting the YAM’s other major exhibit, “North x Northwest Women’s cooperative studio and gallery space in Bozeman, and shares his work three months covered Work.” On view through Oct. 4, this commemoration of the centennial at galleries and shops across the state. by the current issue of of women’s suffrage features 60 works selected from 441 entries by Jill “Creating art gives me a sense of freedom I don’t find anywhere State of the Arts). Ahlberg Yohe, associate curator of Native American Art at the Minne- else. … It’s just me, my ideas, my paint and my brush,” he writes. Submissions must apolis Institute of Art. include: Elisha Harteis: Running With Scissors • A digital image of the artist’s work, Carla Pagliaro: Chaos Aug. 7-28 at The Clay Studio of Missoula, with a reception with title of the piece June 26-Aug. 21 at the Green Door Gallery in Livingston 6-9 p.m. Aug. 7 (at least 200 dpi and Artist’s website: carlapagliaro.com Artist’s website: elishaharteis.com 500kb); Livingston artist Carla Pagliaro Sculptor Elisha Harteis, the cur- • A brief bio and pours her passion for space and rent artist-in-residence at The Clay description of the color into a new body of work Studio of Missoula, presents her Exit artist’s work; that embraces elements of every- Show in August. • Date range and thing she has done over the past Harteis was born in Butte and title of exhibit; and 15 years. grew up in Missoula. She earned her • The gallery or Her approach is to first pains- BFA in ceramics from the University museum name, town takingly paint realistic elements of Montana in 2015, and has contin- and phone number. and then proceed to obliterate ued her education with a short-term MAC will select sub- much of what she painted, cre- residency at the Red Lodge Clay missions that reflect a ating a more and more abstract Center, a studio assistantship at the cross-section of gen- work. Often, her favorite and Arrowmount School of Arts and der, geography, styles most time-consuming areas get Crafts in Tennessee, and a short- and ethnicity, and are painted out, something she finds term residency at the Clay Studio of from a mix of public very satisfying. Missoula. and private galleries “It’s liberating not to get too She currently teaches ceramics and museums. attached or precious about it,” she in her own business, Mud Bunneh Submissions for says. “They are chaotic, because Ceramics, and recently started the Fall issue (Octo- in these times that’s just what teaching after-school programs with Running With Scissors by ber-December, 2020) comes out. But, of course, it has Chaos #4, Cactus elementary and middle school kids Elisha Harteis are due Sept. 4; send to be coherent chaos, and that’s by Carla Pagliaro with Missoula Public Schools, the ingredients to Kristi@ the tricky part.” Missoula Art Museum and The Clay Studio of Missoula. livelytimes.com with “A lot of them are also pretty bloody,” she adds. “I’m not sure where On her website, Harteis says that her current work, which often About Visual Arts in that’s coming from, but it feels right so I don’t question it.” depicts children and animals, helps her address the difficult issue of the subject line. Pagliaro, who grew up in New York, earned her bachelor’s in art child abuse “by juxtaposing the quiet brutality of abuse against the history at Wellesley College in Massachusetts and a post-baccalaureate perceived, inherent innocence of children.” certificate from Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadel- “Every art work, in one way or another, is my expression of negoti- phia. She spent several years in Los Angeles where she painted sets and ating my own history with the world,” she writes. “My art is a subjec- exhibited in several prestigious galleries and museums. tive dance between the fissures of expectation and experience.”

Allez! The team behind the newly resurrected 120 N. Higgins Ave. in Missoula has launched a new art program down the alleyway of this historical location. Called Allez!, and pronounced “Allay,” the new adventure creates an outdoor art gallery of mural artworks which will be rotated on a regular basis. The first installation of this ambi- tious project, which opened June 5 and continues through August, features large-scale prints of Missoula artist James G. Todd’s jazz series. Todd’s work was selected for the debut “because he is a true Missoula icon, but also because of the pure humanity that shines through his portraits, both the light and the dark,” says program director Lillian Nelson. In the photo at left local jazz art- ists Beth Lo and David Horgan prepare to play. (Photo by Lillian Nelson) State of the Arts • Summer 2020

Arts Education Pandemic problem-solving, arts-ed style Missoula Writing Collaborative supports kids and families By Monica Grable Arts Education Director Mother Earth For artists and those art-centered individu- als among us, there has always been a recog- By Magnolia, grade 4 nition of the power the arts hold to unite us, to draw attention to social ills and to provide Mother earth has long leafy green hair and emerald green eyes. She smells of fresh dirt dug up for ways to express ourselves. However, few from the garden. Her voice sounds like gentle waves hitting the shore of the ocean. Her face of us – even those immersed in arts education always has a warm welcoming smile on it. She glows like the moon at night. Mother earth – could have fathomed the degree to which is bigger than the biggest redwood tree and has her head up in the clouds. She is kind, gentle arts experience would so prominently factor and forgiving. It is she who creates the weather. The sunshine that makes the flowers grow. 14 into our health and wellbeing in the midst of But when she cries it starts to rain. And the snow, glorious snow. When she is happy and it is isolation. cold that is what happens. But when she is mad you can get caught in a snowstorm or worse, a When the COVID-19 pandemic moved thunderstorm! Mother earth has a pet cloud. Her clouds name is Ridge and sometimes she us all into quarantine, teachers and teaching acts like a bridge when Mother earth needs a way to cross the rainbow. artists alike were faced with a choice: opt out for a time or embrace the opportunity to And that’s all I know about Mother earth. re-imagine their work. These are the creative thinkers – innovators by nature – so natural- ly they chose the latter. With hardly a beat missed, the education teams of our state’s arts organizations immediately set to work to MAPS expands ensure they would be able to reach their arts learners and lead the way in reminding us all online offerings of the power of art. The Missoula Writing Collaborative statewide (MWC), a nonprofit in its 26th year of MAPS Media Insti- sending its writers into classrooms, began tute will shift exclu- to address student needs with outreach. The sively to an online moment Montana schools shut down, the staff format for its summer of MWC contacted each of their partnering 2020 courses. The schools to see if they were online teaching or entire curriculum will sending packets home. remain free-of-charge, If online, writers jumped into the cre- and, for the first time ation of videos for their use or in some cases ever, MAPS will open provided real-time online teaching; if sending select summer classes packets, they responded in kind, quickly de- to all 8th-12th grade veloping teaching packets to ensure that stu- students statewide. dents were supported in their need to express themselves during isolation. Students from The move comes in Lewis and Clark and Rattlesnake in Missoula, response to the coro- Potomac, Arlee, Dixon and Seeley Lake were Prior to quarantine, Aspen Decker shares Coyote Stories at Pablo Elementary. navirus pandemic, the beneficiaries of their remarkable efforts. says Executive Direc- (Photo by Clara Moser) tor Clare Ann Harff, I Remember noting that MAPS Maybe we are louder consulted instructors, A sad poem by Liam students and parents, than ever in our seclusion. as well as local, state, Writing loves solitude. I remember a time. and national guide- That time was long time ago in a galaxy about right here, lines in the decision – Mark Gibbons Toilet paper wasn’t worth your while. process. People weren’t scared to step outside! If someone got with in six feet you wouldn’t shout and scream and be all like “Our initial The MWC did not stop there, however. “HE’S GETTING IN SIX FEET!!! SIX FEET!!!” thoughts were to They extended their work to holistically sup- port families as well, through their creation Yaah. that wasn’t a thing. keep our students I remember a day when you could play freely, safely connected,” of the “cabin fever guide.” Posted on the Missoula County Public Schools website, the Hang out, use public bathrooms, she says. “Now we All the luxuries. see it as a challenge packet provided activities to share together; these included such creative items as a parent/ I remember the decade where we were free. to deliver the most But that decade is yet to come. dynamic, engaging child collaborative prompt using the language of recipes applied to things and ideas. Recipe Yet to come. and professional on- I remember the hour where line learning experi- for a puppy? 1 cup of silky fur, 1 ounce of sour breath, 4 lumpy feet … 1 ounce of utter Everyone was all like… ence possible.” joy. Oh it’s almost 3:30 o’clock To that end, the Taking it a step further, MWC created And time to go home! MAPS team of pro- community through their first-ever youth Then the class (me) was dumbfounded fessional artists and Zoom Poetry Reading (available for de- When we went home for what could designers has built a light-filled viewing on their website, Be years and years. new, interactive web- missoulawritingcollaborative.org) and used I remember a time. site to accommodate Facebook and Instagram to engage student I remember that day. remote learning, with writers in an online poetry scavenger hunt that I remember that hour. instructors modifying drew in students of all ages. But I don’t remember that decade. their lesson plans to All of MWC’s writers adapted their teach- maximize the new ing to reach students. Teaching artist Mark I remember. Oh yes, I remember. format. Gibbons reflected on the range of feeling But we can only go on. To assist students that students were experiencing: “Of course So onward! I say! with limited or no ac- students miss not being together in school and sharing everything, including their poetry. We Giddy up! cess to a home com- Mush! puter, MAPS invested all miss being present with one another and hearing those individual voices and stories, Whatever you prefer, but we in 10 new iPads with Can only go on. all the necessary apps but even more so we miss telling them.” On the need for expression through writ- for summer classes. Oh yes, my child, on is the only way. In addition to ing, Gibbons imparted, “We miss being heard, so when the world of pandemic or prejudice The one direction that drives our motivation cars and trucks online programming, To the gas station of hope that whispers into our ears the MAPS team also shuts us down, we need to write more than ever. The act of writing gives us the chance “Not there, quite yet. You must keep going” will conduct in-person to cast ourselves, our voices, our stories out activities at the cam- there for others to pick up and hear. Our The hope is what powers our motivation that causes our wheels to keep going pus in Hamilton every poems beg a response, and the conversation And we go on. Wednesday through begins. Maybe we are louder than ever in our On and on. July. Learn more at seclusion. Writing loves solitude.” mapsmediainstitute. Yes, the only way … com. Summer 2020 • State of the Arts ATP Kids turns “Young Frankenstein” into a movie By Luke Walrath Lessons Learned Chief Evangelist Alpine Theatre Project We had major technical Eighteen students from across the Flat- problems … and ended up head Valley began rehearsal on Mel Brooks’ borrowing our board pres- hilarious musical, “Young Frankenstein,” on ident’s 2019 iMac with a March 9. A week later, the world was forced beefed up graphics processor. into isolation. We also had a major data-stor- With traditional rehearsal and performance age issue, and … ended up now impossible, continuing on would have buying a new 4TB hard drive been crazy. Good thing we’re crazy. and transferring all files to Armed with only their mobile phones and that, which put us back a day. a pair of earbuds, these 18 students quickly I’m sure there were plenty changed gears to turn what was to be their of times when the kids had Screen capture of Whitefish students Grace Benkelman live performance into a movie – one rehearsed no idea what was going on, and Andrew Brozek performing in Alpine Theatre Proj- and recorded entirely remotely and in isola- either, since they didn’t know ect’s video production of “Young Frankenstein the Musi- tion. what the final product would cal.” (Photo courtesy of Alpine Theatre Project) look like, but they trusted 15 Betsi … I am so impressed It became clear after one rehearsal, how- First, some background with the students’ willingness to jump into the ever, that the discrepancy in timing between When the “stay at home” order came from void and give it their all, despite performing each student on Zoom was going to make that the State of Montana, we were faced with in a complete vacuum. platform impossible to use for performance. the very real prospect of cancelling the show. The end result stands as a marker of what We knew then that each student would have Director Betsi Morrison started trying to come we, as a group, were able to do together to record both audio and video separately and up with solutions, but it soon became clear to keep a project alive despite seemingly we would have to edit it all together. that any in-person rehearsal and performance insurmountable obstacles. It is not perfect, Also, since the students were going to be in was not going to be possible. and certainly rough in a few spots, but the front of green screens, there wasn’t any need However, Betsi was adamant that can- experiment was to create it within the original to keep them in box frames like we’d original- celling was not an option as it would send a timeframe. We also had to do it with the mon- ly planned. We could – conceivably – create defeatist message to both the students and our ey and personnel available. the illusion that they were in the same room ImagineIF community. Frankly, that’s just not our style. In the final analysis, though, the entire together. We just had to figure out how to do So, she decided we were going to make project was really to show the students (and it – and do it all in five weeks. Libraries a movie – albeit one that would have to be us) that creativity and hard work can provide rehearsed and recorded in isolation. And, she solutions to tough challenges. Creativity will supply was determined to do it all within the time- Workflow show you new paths and hard work will help literacy kits frame of the original production, which meant Creating each scene was essentially a four- you move forward down those paths. At ATP we had five weeks to rehearse, record, and step process: (1) rehearse the music/scene/ we have a mission to imagine, create, and This June, ImagineIF edit the whole thing. choreography; (2) create the audio files need- inspire for the betterment of our community Libraries provided Her original concept was to have stu- ed; (3) record and compile the video files; (4) … And when the mission is all that matters, 275 literacy kits to dents perform “Brady Bunch Style” in boxes edit the entire project scene by scene. you’ll find a way to keep it going. Of course, children and families via Zoom video conferencing, but in front To try and track progress, I created a giant you have to be just crazy enough to think it’s across Flathead Coun- of green screens so we could control the spreadsheet in Google Drive with each mu- possible. ty. Staff and volun- background. She ordered green-screens and sical number, scene, student, etc., listed and View the production online at atpwhitefish. teers loaded up buses costumes via Amazon and had them shipped then a volunteer parent helped me update the org/upcoming/2020/Frankenstein; contact provided by Kalispell directly to the students’ homes, as well as spreadsheet to track what had been complet- Luke at [email protected] for more Public Schools and props either ordered or made by production ed. (Visit atpwhitefish.org for details.) information on the process. The HEART Locker manager Rachel Burke. with 75 family kits, 100 birth-to-five kits, 50 elementary kits, Artists in Schools & Communities Grants awarded and 50 kits for teen- agers. At their June 6 meeting, mem- $4,500 for Young Poets Residencies The kits themselves bers of the Montana Arts Council Great Falls Symphony, Great Falls: are full of age-ap- approved grant requests in three $5,000 for Sound Foundations propriate books and Helena Presents/Myrna Loy Center, categories of the Artists in Schools activities like side- and Communities (AISC) program. Helena: $3,000 for American Patchwork Quartet: A Celebration of Diversity in walk chalk, drawing Awards totaling $144,660 were American Folk Music pads, terrariums awarded to nine grantees in the Arts Lowell School Parent Teacher and DUPLOS for the Learning Partner subcategory, 13 in Association, Missoula: $3,960 for a poets younger children, and the midrange AISC Grant $1,500- residency at Lowell Elementary School origami sets and more $5,000 category, and another eight Missoula Community Radio, Mis- complex activities for submitted to the AISC Grants Under soula: $5,000 for Sonic Landscapes teens. $1,500 category’s May round. A Park High School, Livingston: second round of the AISC Under $5,000 for Livingston Jazz Festival “We designed these $1,500 subcategory will be accepted Russell Elementary, Kalispell: kits to be a packet through a Nov. 4 deadline. $3,530 for an artist in residence of joy in these tough The Shane Lalani Center for the With a primary tenet of pairing times, inspiring Arts, Livingston: $5,000 for Shane Cen- babies, kids, teens, professional artists with arts learners Michelle Fuji, artist in residence during The Myrna Loy’s ter arts education programs of all ages, the AISC grant program 2019-’20 season, helps students to fully engage their bodies Yellowstone Art Museum, Billings: and the adults who has been supporting exceptional in Taiko drum poses as they begin to learn different rhythms. $2,000 for an online Art Suitcase for love them to make artist residencies in a wide variety (Photo courtesy of The Myrna Loy) Educators and Students – Year 2 art, read and create of school and community settings together. As much as for nearly 50 years. Supported by National Missoula Writing Collaborative, Missoula: AISC Grants, under $5,000 (May possible we sourced Endowment for the Arts and State of Mon- $5,400 for Clark Fork Poets: Creative Writing materials locally from Residencies in Title 1 Missoula schools deadline) tana funds, AISC grants provide a diversity Montana Repertory Theatre, Missoula: small businesses, of opportunities for arts learning across all Arts Council of Big Sky, Big Sky: $1,250 for keeping those grant $9,005 for Zombie Thoughts (Educational Out- an artist in residence program disciplines; experiences range from a single reach Tour 2020) dollars in the local daylong workshop to a one-hour per week Big Brothers Big Sisters of Big Sky Country, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, Boz- Bozeman: $1,466 for Silver Linings Mural Proj- economy,” said Ellie session with a visiting artist in the classroom. eman: $10,000 for Shakespeare in the Schools’ ect Newell, ImagineIF By doing the work of reaching arts learn- Fall 2020 tour of “Much Ado About Nothing” and Bigger Sky Kids, Wolf Point: $1,500 for Nako- Libraries Youth Service ers across Montana, the organizations and related workshops da Dance, Stories and Their History Librarian. respective teaching artists involved with AISC SPARK! Arts Ignite Learning, Missoula: Electric Peak Arts Council, Gardiner: $1,499 $10,000 for Strategies in Arts Integration for 21st Montana early projects help the arts council achieve its mis- for Marks on the Land: Found Object Mosaics and childhood initiative, sion of advancing arts education in the state. Century Learning the Natural Treasures of Gardiner, Montana WaterWorks Art Museum, Miles City: $8,000 Zero to Five, provided Newly awarded grantees for the upcoming Missoula Art Museum, Missoula: $1,500 for a for WaterWorks Art Outreach Program funding to purchase 2020-21 fiscal year are listed here by category. long-term artist residency for MAM’s Fifth Grade Art Experience (FGAE) with exhibiting artist the items in the kits, AISC Grants, $1,500-$5,000 Doug Turman which were assem- Musikanten Montana, Helena: $1,500 for All Arts Learning Partners Billings Symphony Society, Billings: $5,000 bled by the libraries Souls Recorder Workshop with Curtis Foster A VOICE, Pablo: $10,000 for Our Community for Tutti Behind Walls and delivered by North-Missoula Community Development Record Two Eagle River School Bozeman Arts Museum, Bozeman: $5,000 for Corporation, Missoula: $850 for Movie Making The HEART Lock- Art Mobile of Montana, Dillon: $10,000 for free art classes for home school students and rural Magic and ZACC Art Experience er, Kalispell Public grant assistance for schools and organizations for schools in Gallatin and Park counties Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art, Great School’s program Art Mobile of Montana services Cohesion Dance Project, Helena: $2,200 for Falls: $1,500 for Curative Art Collective to aid students and Holter Museum of Art, Helena: $8,000 for adaptive dance school residencies For more information, visit art.mt.gov or Artist Encounter: Community II Conservatory ASL Northwest, Great Falls: families experiencing contact Arts Education Director Monica Grable, MAPS Media Institute, Hamilton: $9,000 for $5,000 for ASL CAN Film Camp 2020 housing and financial 406-444-6522 or [email protected]. MAPS Media Institute Creative Writing Center, MSU Billings: instability. State of the Arts • Summer 2020

Film Clips News about film in Montana Coronavirus jumpstarts the drive-in theater By Allison Whitmer The concession stand and pro- Montana Film Commissioner jection booth, built by Jens Hansen Films are expressions of joy, I, was originally part of a drive-in drama, sadness, escape, and journeys located near Deer Lodge from 1949- to strange new worlds. They help us 1973. The building was moved to its process strong emotions and explore present location in 1977 by the current environments that many filmgoers owners. would never experience in person, You can also take advantage of the from the ocean depths to spaceflight. concession stand or bring your own But in the middle of March, the food by paying the $5 food permit, engine of filmmaking, alerted to the and both drive-ins broadcast the sound spread of coronavirus worldwide, through your radio. Find them online 16 began to shut down. Within a week, at www.silverbowdrivein.com or on not only had film and television Facebook. production ceased globally, even here in Montana the production of films came to a halt. Governor Bullock The SilverBow Drive-In concession stand dates back to 1949. Pop-up Drive-In Series had declared a state of emergency on phones and laptops. Ironically, at the same In addition to these permanent March 12 to prepare the state to respond to time, the consumption of films skyrocketed. facilities, pop-up drive-ins abound in Montana the novel coronavirus. As of this writing, live events, theatre, and this summer. Late in the evening on March 14, I stopped many movie theaters remain closed, or open Livingston’s Shane Lalani center hosts a by a film set in Bozeman. The streetlights to very restricted seating to slow the spread of film series at the Park County Fairgrounds glowed as it attempted to snow, and the idle coronavirus. running every Saturday during the summer: hum of generators, familiar on every set, was But there is a silver lining. The evolution www.theshanecenter.org. rumbling in the parking lot. Inside, the con- of car culture in the U.S. spawned an incredi- The historic Roxy Theater in Missoula is BZN Film centrated effort of more than 50 people was ble industry of drive-in movie theatres. putting the finishing touches on an outdoor evident – the crew coming to the end of their From a peak of 4,000 drive-in theatres in space and hopes to have it open for the sum- Fest slated workday. the late 1950s, about 300 remain operating mer: 406-728-9380 or www.theroxytheater. for Aug. 27-30 And 48 hours later, after a number of in the U.S. Lucky for us, there are still two org. The theater has also teamed up with the The third annual hurried discussions and planning, this set shut permanent drive-ins in Montana, located in Missoula Paddleheads for a weekly Center- down, folded production into storage, and put Billings and Butte. BZN International field Cinema, Thursdays at Ogren Field; learn the crew on planes for home. Here’s more about where you can find more at www.milb.com/missoula. Film Festival has been In the United States alone, almost 2 million one of our local drive-in theaters or be on the Helena’s Lewis and Clark Fairgrounds rescheduled from people in film and television were out of work lookout for a pop-up drive-in in your town. started the summer with a sold-out drive-in June to Aug. 27-30, overnight. Only news stations retained skel- Amusement Park Drive-In, 7335 Moss- showing, and is planning films on Wednes- 2020. eton live crews, and other live shows scram- man Lane in Billings, 406-200-5077: With days, at least through June, with online ticket- The four-day event bled to create home studios. two screens and open seven nights a week, ing available at www.lccfairgrounds.com. celebrates indepen- Similar stories came to me, of crews you can have pizza ordered to your car, bring If you’d like to watch films on a farm, dent filmmaking, trapped in far-off countries, stranded by in food for a $5 fee, or even rent the place Manhattan’s Porter Blanchard has set up a creative expression airline cancellations, restrictions and passport for private parties. Find them online at www. screen in the family farm pasture and created and emerging and es- controls. Producers told of crews dropping amusementparkdrivein.com and on Facebook. “The Pasture” Drive-in. Find them on Face- tablished voices with their scheduled plans, ceasing shooting in the Silver Bow Drive-In, west of Butte, 406- book or call 406-580-4211. middle of the day and rushing to airports and 782-8095 or [email protected]: This films that promise to Private screenings in your backyard can trains to get closer to home. historic drive-in is also a twin screen, open be provided by Bozeman-based Fun Flicks, educate, encourage Filmmaking has paused before – for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. The Silver which has inflatable screens measuring up and inspire audiences hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters. Bow Drive-In has been family owned and op- to 40 feet. Visit them at www.funflicks.com/ to get involved and Work in war-torn countries like Iraq, Syria erated by the Hansen Family since 1977 when montana-outdoor-movies/ or call 406-570- take action to protect and the Balkans has stopped before. Never, on it was first built with a single screen tower. A 5466. our planet. This year’s this scale, has the film and television industry second screen was added in 1980 creating the Filmmakers are eager to get back to work, selection focuses closed. Live theater, events and music were first twin drive-in theater in Montana. In 2004 and for now, we can’t wait to see you at the “on how communi- all cancelled. Movie theaters closed world- the second screen was rebuilt and expanded, drive in! Follow the Montana Film Office on ty – both locally and wide. People retreated to their televisions, allowing for a capacity of nearly 500 cars. social media, or visit montanafilm.com. globally – supports and heals after disas- ters and during tragic Rewind: MSU grad’s redemptive film earns rave reviews challenges.” Over 70 films will The day after his feature-length documen- rethinking his past. tary “Rewind” debuted before 280 million “I still had that self-deprecating voice from screen at various households, with a 100% rating on Rotten To- unresolved issues from my childhood, and I theaters in downtown matoes and rave reviews from The New York thought there might be some answers in our Bozeman, comple- Times, Montana State University film gradu- home videos,” he said. mented by a rich slate ate Sasha Joseph Neulinger went fishing. “To my surprise, my dad had more than 200 of Q&A sessions, pan- “This is the first day, the beginning of the hours of home video dating back to the early el discussions, com- next chapter for me, where child sexual abuse 1990s,” which Neulinger retrieved and brought munity-wide events isn’t at the primary focus of my existence,” to Bozeman. “I quickly realized that this was and parties. Addition- said Neulinger, who was headed out to a rural going to be a film.” al events include the Montana stream near his home rather than Even though he did not have much money, Opening Film and hopping on 34 airplanes for a six-week, 12- Neulinger did have support from MSU friends Reception on Thurs- city speaker’s tour advocating for children’s and filmmakers … and eventually MSU film victim rights. professor Dennis Aig introduced him to pro- day, Family Free Night Neulinger, 30, has worked for seven years, phia, the documentary, as well as its creator, ducer Cindy Meehl, who had produced “Buck” on Saturday, and since he graduated from the MSU School of came to maturity in Montana, Neulinger said. and “Unbranded,” other successful documen- an Awards Ceremo- Film and Photography, to bring his story of “It is kind of incredible how supportive taries that found wider audiences. She came ny and Filmmakers surviving childhood sexual abuse to life. the MSU filmmaking community has been,” on board in about 2017 “with a plethora of Brunch on Sunday. He also directed the film, which Esquire Neulinger said. “… It is special that a film experience and resources to finish this film the This year, in con- magazine called one of the best films of 2020 that is this personal and timely, and that has way we wanted to finish it. junction with the live and a Rogerebert.com review predicted “will received so much praise internationally, was “Rewind” was accepted into the juried 2019 festival, BZN is also have a transformative impact on countless made here in Montana.” Tribeca Film Festival a little more than a year going virtual, with lives.” … “I was looking at film schools in bigger ago, resulting in positive reviews and interest films available for But “Rewind” is not for children. The film cities, but when I landed on the MSU website by distributors. Gallatin and Hyalite details Neulinger’s own harrowing story of and saw the campus surrounded by moun- “Ultimately, we chose Independent Lens sexual abuse and the angels, as well as the tains, it spoke to me,” Neulinger said. He and and PBS so the film could be seen by as many Peak passholders from monsters, of his childhood. his mother visited campus, and the late Paul people as possible while being commercial Aug. 27-Sept. 5. Even though the COVID-19 pandemic Monaco, then director of MSU’s film pro- free,” Neulinger said. They also contracted ended a speaking tour that was to build on the gram, met with them. with Film Rise for video-on-demand rights. debut, Neulinger’s phone has been ringing “I remember he told me that what is spe- The film can be streamed on Apple iTunes, off the hook since the film aired recently on cial about the MSU program is that you can Google Play, Amazon and Microsoft Movies Independent Lens. “Rewind” was available get out of it as much as you are willing to put for the next 15 years. Neulinger hopes it will to view for free until June 10 on the national into it, and we will support you in doing that,” be an important resource of understanding and PBS website and is also available on several Neulinger said. “MSU was such a positive inspiration for generations of people dealing video-on-demand sites. experience that Montana quickly became my with abuse. And while nearly all the film revisits his home.” – Excerpted from a story by Carol childhood growing up in suburban Philadel- He was near graduation when he began Schmidt, MSU News Service Summer 2020 • State of the Arts

Peter Bowen (from page 1): “An American original” Buckley considered Bowen one of his very the way to drop off a letter to his parents. The series continued to collect readers and best friends, even though they met in person He stayed up there for weeks. His mother praiseful reviews over the next two and a half only once during a correspondence that dated helped get supplies to him, but finally went decades. from 1982 to a few days before Bowen’s to the sheriff and asked whether they should Even though reclusive, he was always a death. mount a rescue effort to bring him down. “No, great correspondent, and his few friends, like Buckley said he has more than 1,000 letters it’ll snow soon, and he’ll come down,” the Buckley, heard from him frequently. from Bowen, and someday would like to com- sheriff supposedly told her. And it did, and he One of those people he cared for and kept pile their correspondence and publish it. did. in touch with was Christine Whiteside, whom “He was an American original,” Buckley Eventually, he went to the University of he met back in the ‘60s at the Ann Arbor said, “and a dear friend. I always learned Michigan, which he attended “without much coffee house. More than half a century later, something with everything he sent me. There effect on either of us,” Bowen said. Bowen and Whiteside were married in 2013, was always a story. His well of and made their home in Living- stories was deeper than the Mari- ston. anas Trench.” “Montana and the Bowen wrote several other Peter Bowen was born May West were in his novels, including one, Buffalo 22, 1945 in Athens, Georgia and blood, a river of Star, a fictional account of Daniel was adopted immediately after his Boone’s wanderings in Montana. birth by Keith and Marie Bowen. history that poured out Rick Ardinger, Limberlost Press 17 Keith was an educator and in the best over a hammering editor and publisher, read the first years of Peter’s life they lived typewriter.” manuscript years ago and only re- in Colorado and Indiana while cently discovered it had not been – Rick Ardinger his father obtained his doctorate. Peter Bowen (Photo by Michael Smith) published. He said Limberlost Then, when Peter was 10, the plans to do so in 2021-22. family moved to Bozeman where his father There he discovered the folk music world Ardinger said Bowen was “as wild and became a professor — and wrestling coach — at a coffee house on campus, which he ended compelling and engaging as a historical at Montana State College. His mother was one up managing for a time, bringing in acts like character” from one of his novels. “Montana of the earliest volunteers at the Museum of the Tom Rush, Doc Watson and a young Joni and the West were in his blood, a river of Rockies. Mitchell. He also fell in love with South Side history that poured out best over a hammering Bowen said in an autobiographical sketch Chicago blues. typewriter,” he added. that his newspaper route ended at a Bozeman Like his character Yellowstone Kelly, A 16th and final Du Pré novel is also bar called The Oaks, where he would linger Bowen himself was good at more than one completed, pending finishing touches from Tippet Rise and listen to the stories being told by old thing. He learned the construction trade to put Whiteside, who also served as Bowen’s editor and poetry cowboys. “They were men in their eighties food in his mouth, and those skills would later in recent years. At least three other Montana and nineties,” Bowen said, “and some had serve him well as he fell in love with wood- historical novels await publishers, including foundation offer ridden up in the cattle drives from Texas in the working. He also would work as a cowboy, Water Rose, a love story and thriller set in the film series 1870s. … That gave me the habit of eaves- a folksinger and a fishing guide while he Prohibition era. dropping in bars. You can hear whole novels practiced the craft of writing. Bowen was working on a memoir at the During National in an afternoon.” A big, gruff, shaggy man, he loved many time of his death. “I am at 60,000 words Poetry Month in April Clearly the romance of the West had an dogs and a very few people. For years he lived and with a clear path to the end, and if I can the Adrian Brinkerhoff effect, and he loved the out of doors, riding his by this river or that in Montana, writing and avoid getting ill I will be done before May,” Poetry Foundation bicycle to favorite fishing and hunting haunts. fishing and enjoying his solitude. he wrote a friend a week before his death. inaugurated its new A few days before Bowen was supposed to When the first and second Du Pré novels, Whiteside said that the part he has written website, brinkerhoff start junior high school, he took a rifle he had Coyote Wind and Specimen Song, came out, will be treasured by family members. “But no poetry.org, dedicat- illegally purchased — he was only 12, after all they were greeted with critical fanfare — one can finish it, because they were Peter’s ed to bringing the — and decamped to a hideout in the Bridgers, including a memorable New York Times rave stories, and only he knew them.” ongoing tradition of high above town, stopping at the post office on review headlined “Thoreau in Montana.” universal poetry to people everywhere. Launching with the website is a new MCF grants help Montanans tell and share their stories series of short films, in which contemporary The Montana Community Foundation, Inc. History (Eureka) for a History Suitcase on especially the untold ones – about Montana’s (MCF) distributed $3,500 in grants from the Hand Quilting to be used by local elementa- arts, culture and history, and to learn about poets and guest artists William B. Pratt Endowment Fund to support ry, middle and K-8 schools, as well as by the the traditional art forms and cultures of this bring to life poems Montana indigenous, folk, traditional, and local home school association. unique state. by Emily Dickinson, media arts. This year’s grants include: • $1,500 to the Big Sky Film Institute “I hope that, in a small way, these grants Kayo Chingonyi, and • $1,500 to the Myrna Loy Center for (Missoula) for the Native Filmmakers Club will help Montanans become more aware of Seamus Heaney. the Performing and Media Arts (Helena) that takes a selection of Indigenous-made the wide diversity of people and cultures, Established in 2016 for Music of the Medicine Line, a four-day documentary films and their filmmakers into which make up our wonderful state, and help by Peter and Cathy festival about Metis music and culture that classrooms across the state. them better understand and celebrate these Halstead, cofound- acknowledges the artistic, musical and social This year is the first year of granting from cultures,” said Pratt, a former MCF employee. ers of Tippet Rise Art contributions of the Metis and Little Shell the endowment, established at MCF in 2018. For more information, call 406-443-8313 Center in Fishtail, the People of Montana. The fund is a legacy gift to the people of or visit www.mtcf.org/Funds/William-B- foundation has gradu- • $500 to Tobacco Valley Board of Montana to help them tell and share stories – Pratt-Fund. ally created an archive of poetry films. The new website is the first step toward serv- ontana oets aureate ing the public more M P L directly. The foundation is It Comes Down to This also partnering with The man who owned the only saddlery shop in Tippet Rise Art Center to present a series town refused, until the day he died, to sell back my of videos featuring grandfather’s grass dance regalia. When the shop owner sculptor Mark di Suve- was still alive, the wiry hairs on his knuckles stood on ro reading poems that have inspired him. end each time a new wind blew down Main Street. Later Eight of the videos he grew to call this “cancer” but I will always call it he have premiered on should have known better. His wife, in some form of the Tippet Rise web- mourning, says she too won’t sell us a single piece, even site, and an additional eight will run on the if we can prove with old photos of my grandfather that foundation’s website. it was his. Instead, she says we have to buy the whole Unfortunately, due shop, leather-crafting tools and all. (I heard it said once to COVID-19 con- cerns, Tippet Rise has that her husband made her promise this on his cancelled its 2020 deathbed, but who can say for sure.) Last month, on a concert season, as Melissa Kwasny and M.L. Smoker (Photo by Barbara Weissberger) below-zero midnight, the building next door burned to well as sculpture As co-poets laureate and women from marginalized communi- tours; however, heaps of wreckage and ash, a brick wall separating the ties, Montana Poets Laureate – Melissa Kwasny and M.L. Smoker a robust series of flames from a glass case that holds my family’s heirloom. – aim to celebrate poetry as an art that fosters connection, rela- podcasts, recorded tionships and bridge building. State of the Arts will feature their concerts and photo- They called this “luck,” that the whole block didn’t go poems on an alternating basis during their two-year term. graphs of the center’s down too. I call it what’s ours is ours. artwork are available – M.L. Smoker, from the collection, Another Attempt at Rescue at tippetrise.org. State of the Arts • Summer 2020

Public Value Partnerships The 3 Rs at work in Montana Public Value Partnership grants between a purchase with an email or phone call to Montana nonprofit arts organizations and the the artist and a personal thank-you to the Montana Arts Council champion the fact that purchaser. the arts are of benefit to all the citizens of While we also work continuously to Montana and are worthy of state and federal ensure our connection to those who can’t investment. travel through a strong social media presence, Public Value Partnerships utilize tools our most important “specific technique” for we call “The Three Rs” to expand the public building relationships is: we take the time to value of the work being done by Montana’s listen and work with our patrons and artists in non-profit arts organizations: old-fashioned one-on-one conversation. • Building relationships; • Creating greater relevance and Creating Relevance meaning; and 18 Montana Repertory Theatre, Missoula: • Establishing return on investment (measured both as economic vitality and Montana Rep is expanding and diversifying impact on people’s lives). its programming. We are beginning to offer MAC believes that using “The Three Rs” a wider variety of productions, involving strengthens participation, understanding a more diverse company of artists. It is an Carbon County Arts Guild: Leroy Miller, and support from audiences, donors and essential part of our new mission to bring the a local musician and former member of funders. Here are some of the best examples most immediate and relevant theatre work Smash Mouth, shares guitar licks with of these stories: into our community and state, while still youngsters during the Beau Theige’s Gui- appealing to an audience that prefers more tar exhibition. traditional theatre. Building Relationships The Rep’s production of “Go. Please. Return On Investment Hockaday Museum of Art, Kalispell: Go.” was a world premiere from a young Carbon County Arts Guild, Red Lodge: The annual “A Timeless Legacy” exhibit playwright just emerging on the national Executive director Kim Kapalka reports that Statewide arts and fundraiser was conceived as a way scene, while the 2020 spring tour was “War Beau Theige’s Guitar exhibition from Montana service to showcase women painting in Glacier of the Worlds,” a classic American story and Art Gallery Director’s Association (MAGDA) National Park, both historically “captivated visitors because not only did organizations and currently. Responding the artist create interesting objects but the Montana has many to requests by previous visitors enjoyed the fact they could touch the arts-discipline- participating artists, in 2018 we instruments and play them.” specific statewide expanded “A Timeless Legacy” In conjunction with the exhibition, which service organiza- to include male artists, and was on view at CCAG May 2 through June 23, 2019, the guild organized a special tour tions. You can find invited our Canadian neighbors to participate as well, revising and activity with four rural schools: Luther, a complete list here: the title to “A Timeless Fishtail, Nye and Molt. The students from art.mt.gov/arts_ Legacy: Peace Park” to reflect these “one-room” schools were invited to service_orgs this change. the Depot Gallery to tour the show, play the Each “A Timeless Legacy” guitars, and then build a one-string guitar to event includes several awards take home. The largest school was Luther with Montana Arts to artists in the show, including 29 students, followed by Fishtail (6), Nye (4) Council the “purchase award”, where and Molt (2). a donor-funded account is Tippet Rise Foundation provided funding grants, awards for an instructor and supplies for the project. used to purchase works for Montana Repertory Theatre: The 2020 spring tour was The guild invited Leroy Miller, a local & commissions the Hockaday’s permanent “War of the Worlds,” a classic American story and legend musician and former member of the band Visit the Montana collection. At the 2018 event, presented with a fresh new approach and appeal. Canadian artist Doug Swinton Smash Mouth, to assist with the tour and Arts Council’s website and Billings artist Charles Fritz were each legend presented with a fresh new approach instruct the activity. “It worked out great,” for a complete listing given the Van Kirke Nelson Hockaday and appeal. says Kapalka. “Leroy’s knowledge of music, of grants, awards and Purchase Award. The deciding committee The Rep’s open rehearsal policy has guitars, and his ability to make a guitar from a commissions: felt that purchasing one work from an artist created a completely new way for us to cardboard box, broom handle, nuts, bolts and a Individuals: art. on either side of the border exemplified the connect with our supporters. Many theatre guitar string was terrific.” mt.gov/gac#ind sentiment behind the exhibit, and represented goers and loyal Rep patrons have cherished He discussed the blues, Bo Diddley and Organizations: art. the bond between Canada and the U.S. in the the new opportunity to go behind the scenes how to play on the one string-guitar before the mt.gov/gac#orgs original Glacier-Waterton Peace Park concept. and witness the entire process as it unfolds. students made their own “Diddley Bow” in a Schools: art. When the award was announced, Doug We intend to continue and expand this project that integrated the disciplines of art and mt.gov/gac#schools was so excited he ran over to Charles and exposure and availability for our supporters. music. Programs and Ser- gave him a hug, though the two had never The annual gala fundraiser was entirely The following week, several parents came vices: art.mt.gov/ps met. It turns out that Charles was one of revamped this year. In previous years, the to the arts guild to see what made their children Doug’s most cherished inspirations when evening consisted of a performance of the so excited about music and art. A demo and Doug was in high school and he still considers touring production, with pre-show cocktails closing reception were held June 21-22, which Charles an important stylistic influence. and post-show dinner. This year, in addition featured artist Beau Theige, who visited and Charles took the show of affection in stride to food, drink and a live theatre experience, talked to guests. and smiled widely after hearing Doug’s story. attendees received numerous announcements Kapalka says this MAGDA-supported This is just one of the many examples of how about the upcoming season and video hands-on exhibit “has been the most popular art connects people across time and borders. messages from guest artists. Utilizing this show to date,” with more than 700 visitors. “It The Hockaday is honored to be the conduit time to unveil future projects and meet guest is wonderful to have MAGDA organize quality for these connections. artists garnered a tremendously positive and affordable shows that can travel to smaller The two most important techniques we use response. venues,” she adds. to engage our visitors and build relationships are 1) smile, say hello and listen, and 2) pick up the phone and talk to someone. We welcome and thank each participant or visitor Deadline Aug. 1 for Cultural Trust grants in person whenever possible. We follow up Cultural Trust Guidelines are now the Legislature, which determines who posted on the Montana Arts Council’s will receive grant funds. The Montana Arts website, art.mt.gov. The application Council administers the program for the deadline is Aug. 1, 2020, for the July 1, Legislature. 2021-June 30, 2023 grant period. Applications must be for cultural and In 1975, the Montana Legislature set aesthetic projects, including but not limited aside a percentage of the Coal Tax to to the visual, performing, literary and restore murals in the Capitol and support media arts, history, archaeology, folklore, other cultural and aesthetic projects. This archives, collections, research, historic unique funding source forms the Cultural preservation and the construction or Trust, with grant money derived from renovation of cultural facilities. interest allocated every two years. Applications are encouraged for The Cultural and Aesthetic Projects applicants serving rural communities, racial Advisory Committee has 16 members, half and ethnic groups, people with disabilities, appointed by the Montana Arts Council institutionalized populations, youth and the and half by the Montana Historical Society. aging. The committee reviews all grant proposals Applications must be made online. For Hockaday Museum of Art: Guests mingle at and makes funding recommendations to information and guidelines, visit art.mt.gov. last year’s reception for “A Timeless Legacy.” Summer 2020 • State of the Arts

Montana Artrepreneurs MAP artists respond to pandemic and protests By Annie Allen Clark Artist Ann Wilbert: “I would say that it The arts feel like a balm, a salve has actually increased my sense of wanting … perhaps a tincture during this to make beautiful things. I have been making year of evolution and change. I things almost every day even though I suspect search for articles, stories, photos that people are even more hesitant to buy that revolve around art, creativity unnecessary things right now. I don’t feel and the human beings that exist like my art form is that expressive of what is behind these healing sources. I happening in the world – just trying to add commend these beings for the some beauty, and maybe a sense of light.” determination and grit it takes Artist Liz Ze Harter: “The predominance to put aside worry, fears and of my work is mixed-media assemblage, sadness and lead us away from the which often emerges as whimsy despite my pandemic and political atmosphere. heart and spirit nudging me to go deeper. Some of the artistic individuals However, in the past few months I am being 19 that I follow have participated called and challenged to take that leap. I find in MAP (Montana Artrepreneur myself driven to create works that speak to Program) – an art-centered business ‘inclusiveness,’ especially as we, as a nation, development program taught by seek to relate to racial and sexual identity.” working artists and offered through Artist Lisa Gibson: “Having to stay home the Montana Arts Council. One of has, somewhat, increased my creativity as I’ve its key components is collaboration been determined to NOT go bonkers and have and connectivity with other artists. Stacey Frier’s diminutive one-of-a-kind journals speak chosen to think of it as an ‘adventure.’ I’m As a coach for MAP, I was to our need to communicate in these times. approaching my materials in a more creative curious about the artists who have try and think outside my normal plan to get fashion as well, and have thought of new ways come through the program. How have they inventory to move and to have it be seen. to use them. However, I’ve had less time to been affected and adapted to the present world With all the galleries closed for weeks and devote to my art since the economic situation turmoil? I decided to pose the following most shows delayed or cancelled, it’s been a has necessitated doing other things to address C&A Advisory question to some of our MAP artists: “How practice in coming up with other ways to keep our specific needs. The anguish I’m sensing Committee: has the world situation of pandemic and moving ahead … from the world has definitely caused a more protests changed, evolved and/or halted your “I’ve been trying to not fight it too hard, reflective mindset – it’s a strange time!” New deadline creativity and products?” The answers reveal and appreciate taking extra time and care with Artist Kody Bundy: “No one could have July 15 how the world of MAP is like a warm reunion my work and producing brand new products been prepared for what this year has been like Applications for of great ideas and creative minds. that may reach a wider audience. I’m trying so far. It started off well enough. I returned membership on the Artist Shelley Freese: “I’m a visual to cast a broader net. The world feels heavy from the EQUUS Film and Art Festival held Cultural and Aesthet- artist. While I sell the occasional original, enough that new creativity is coming hard, but in Louisville at the Kentucky Horse Park, ic Project Advisory most of my sales are in my children’s I’m appreciating making what I know.” followed by another show in Park City, Committee will be books and household items printed with Artist Karen Savory: “It’s been hard to where I got more exposure and picked up a accepted through commission, which is always nice. my watercolor art … After much travel and stay motivated for lots of reasons, a heavy July 15, 2020. The many shows these past years, I decided to try “Park City, one month later, became a heart being on the top of the list. Hard to make Montana Arts Coun- renting a space in a business in downtown joyful art when the world around you isn’t hotspot for the coronavirus. Then one of the cil makes half of the Miles City, alongside antique dealers, so joyful. But the spring weather has meant galleries I had some of my pieces in closed appointments to this rescued/reclaimed vendors, and other artists daily long walks in the mountains and time to due to the virus. Shows have been cancelling and craftspeople. I began in February and admire nature and forget the world for hours, left and right. That doesn’t leave many other committee, and the cut back drastically on the number of out-of- which helps immensely … choices besides online shows and my website. Montana Historical town shows I applied to. Things went really “All my shows have been cancelled for the “Kimble Art Center came up with a virtual Society makes the well, especially since I made sure I was near year so that decreases motivation but it also Monster Art Rally after we had to cancel the other half. my booth space, drawing and painting and takes some pressure off to create things that I in-person event. Each artist remained in his The arts council answering questions from interested shoppers know will sell and gives me permission to try or her own studio and worked on a piece live looks for a broad on Fridays and Saturdays. From Feb. 1-March different things. I’ve started working on a few while over a hundred people watched us online. range of professional 15, I easily covered my booth fee plus the projects that are more political than I might It was great!” arts expertise and 10 percent of sales reserved for the business normally do, but if not now, when? It’s my As for myself, how has the year 2020 also geographic, owners, and made a respectable profit. way to make a stand … changed, evolved and/or halted my creativity racial and gender “The business shut its doors in mid-March “Also with this extra time I’m looking and products? Strong emotions trigger my balance for the and re-opened in late May. Though my forward to doing some plein air painting with creativity, the outflow of art is stimulated and committee. Obliga- income dropped, I added free, local, socially- a group of friends and working in different the need to produce is constant. I’ve been tions of the four-year distanced delivery to customers, which made mediums than I normally use. So a year of fortunate in that I am illustrating a children’s terms include attend- up for some of the loss. As with businesses experimentation and sadness so far, but the book for a young author in Texas. We began ing a two-day panel everywhere, Miles City faced a significant Pollyanna in me sees reasons for hope – I this project before the pandemic had entered meeting every other impact due to events cancellations, including can’t help it, I’m just an optimist at heart!” our world and we continue on this journey year and reviewing the annual World Famous Bucking Horse Artist Ivette Kjelsrud: “While together. up to 100 grant Sale, which nearly triples our population coronavirus and stay-at-home might have Every day my journal provides comfort applications online in during the third weekend in May. Other as characters spill out on simple brown Kraft slowed down my production, I took the preparation for the events that bring in locals and tourists alike opportunity and time to make my personal paper. My hope is to capture these images in a review. are facing uncertainty. space beautiful. When justified protests turned book for my loved ones and perhaps put it out The next meeting “My yearly income tracking shows a to riots and violence, it made me want to to the world as well. It’s my personal way of large decrease from 2019’s figures; custom crawl into my studio and never leave again.” making sense of the changes that are occurring. is tentatively sched- commissions are also down. This crisis has Artist Lynn Liebers: “I would say the Change and evolution are a balm for the soul uled for Oct. 13-14 brought home to me the need to update my pandemic has affected my creativity in that and artists reach their full potential when in Helena. Those website and concentrate more on online my landscape photography workshop with challenged. I sit back and ponder knowing who are interested sales.” Rocky Mountain School of Photography was good things are coming! are invited to send Artist Katie Redfield: “I think more than cancelled this spring. My art printing business Applications are being accepted to the a letter of interest anything the combination of current events is very slow. I have taken a job with Hobby Montana Artrepreneur Program through and a resume or bio forced my hand to get creative in a way other Lobby in the framing department which will June 30. Learn more at art.mt.gov/map_ electronically by than in the creation of my art. I’ve had to feed my creative side.” July 15 to Kristin Han Burgoyne at [email protected]. Applications open for MAC Communications Specialist Strategic The Montana Arts Council is looking for a Communications effective written and verbal communication, and strong Specialist, and seeks a team-oriented, hard-working and fun-loving attention to detail. Knowledge of marketing and promotional Investment individual with an aptitude for learning new skills who will thrive in a strategies is essential. A successful candidate must be capable Grants small office environment. of understanding the nuances of communicating to varied Funding is current- MAC is a dynamic agency where all members work strategically to audiences. The position also requires excellent customer-service ly available for grants address issues of diversity, equity, access, and inclusion. skills and the ability to manage multiple projects. of up to $1,000 for The Communications Specialist will: To apply for this position, submit a resumé and cover letter nonprofit arts orga- • Design and implement a communication plan through the State of Montana Careers site, statecareers.mt.gov. nizations, artists and • Oversee content development and production of State of the Arts The cover letter should describe how your knowledge and skills arts educators. Dead- newspaper align with the duties of this position. Applications are reviewed • Manage MAC’s website and social media presence as received; the position will remain posted until filled. lines are monthly. • Develop concepts and create designs that improve understanding For more information, contact Kim Hoxie at [email protected] Visit art.mt.gov or and build connections or call 406-444-4934. email kburgoyne@ A successful candidate will demonstrate critical thinking skills, mt.gov or call 406- 444-6449. INSIDE STATE OF THE ARTS

1 CARES Act; Summer Theatre; Blackfeet Artist Receives Mentor Fellowship; Novelist Peter Bowen Remembered

2 From the Director; Program Director Brian Moody; CARES Act (cont)

3-4 Congrats, Transitions & Condolences

5 Summer Theatre (cont)

6 The Pandemic & Performing Arts

7 Blackfeet Artist (cont); The Cheyenne Story; Jay Laber’s Reborn Rez Wrecks

8 Montana Musicians Adapt to Age of COVID-19

9-11 About Music; About Books

12 The Pandemic & The Visual Arts

13 About Visual Artists

14 Pandemic Problem-Solving, Arts-Ed Style

15 ATP Kids Turns Young Frankenstein into Movie; AISC Grants Awarded

16 Coronavirus Jumpstarts Drive-In Theaters; Rewind Earns Rave Reviews

17 Peter Bowen (cont); MCF Grants Help Montanans Share Stories; Montana Poets Laureate Participants in the Verge Kids Improv class share a giggle during the end-of-class demonstration at the theater in Bozeman. Improv teaches resilience, improves interpersonal communication and reminds us to

be playful. 18 The Three Rs at Work in Montana; Deadline (Photo by the late, beloved Tim Stiller) Aug. 1 for Cultural Trust Grants

19 MAP Artists Respond to Pandemic; Applica- tions Open for Communications Specialist

MAILING ADDRESS: PO BOX 202201, HELENA, MT 59620-2201 51143 Pre-Sorted Standard U.S. Postage Paid Bozeman, MT MAILING ADDRESS: Permit #120 PO BOX 202201, HELENA, MT 59620-2201 STREET ADDRESS: 830 N. WARREN ST., HELENA, MT V: 406-444-6430; T:711 Fax 406-444-6548 website: art.mt.gov email: [email protected] Change Service Requested Montana Arts Council Cynthia Andrus, Chairman Tom Cordingley, Vice Chairman Angella Ahn Elizabeth Albers G.B. Carson Sean Falcon Chandler Corky Clairmont JP Gabriel Mark Kuipers Tracy Linder Jay Pyette Angela Russell Corby Skinner Jean Steele Renée Westlake All Montana Arts Council members can be reached by email at [email protected] or by mail c/o Montana Arts Council, 830 N. Warren Street, Helena, MT 59620 MAC Distributes CARES Act Funds MAC Staff Tatiana Gant, Executive Director Pages 1-2 [email protected] • 406-444-6546 Jenifer Alger, Chief Financial Officer [email protected] • 406-444-6489 9,750 copies of this public document were published at an estimated Kristin Han Burgoyne, Database & Grants Director, cost of $1.29 per copy, for a total cost of $12,594, which includes Accessibility Coordinator $9,166 for printing/production and $3,428 for distribution [email protected] • 406-444-6449 Monica Grable, Arts Education Director State of the Arts is provided free of charge upon request. An alternative [email protected] • 406-444-6522 accessible format is also available Shawna Korth, Business Specialist upon request. Summer 2020 [email protected] • 406-444-6510 Call 406-444-6449 July/August/September Brian Moody, Program Officer [email protected] • 406-444-4700