MAPS Students Win Regional Emmy Awards Page 7 Summer 2019 n Montana - The Land of Creativity Colin Meloy’s “Wildwood” makes world premiere at Grandstreet Theatre By Marga Lincoln for the Independent Record, June 6, Reprinted with permission So, what do you do when your baby brother is kidnapped by Applications open crows? Well, if you’re Prue McKeel, you leap into action and go right July 15 for Artist’s after them. Even if it means entering the Innovation Award dreaded Impassable Wilderness. Applications will be available online July 15 Thus, unfolds the high adven- for the Montana Arts Council’s Artist’s Innovation ture tale of “Wildwood.” Program Award. The best-selling novel, written In order to foster environments where the innova- by Helena native son Colin Meloy, tion and creativity of artists are valued and celebrat- made its world premiere in an ed, this program rewards Montana artists who have adaptation by Jennifer Schlueter demonstrated: June 6-16 at Grandstreet Theatre • Innovation in their work and artwork; in Helena. Prue (Cadence Hatten) is about to lose Baby Mac (Gracie Fay Petersen) to • Originality and dedication in their creative the Wildwood, and embark on an epic journey to retrieve him. Not only is “Wildwood” full of (Photo by Thom Bridge/Independent Record) pursuits; “woods magic,” but the very fact • A capacity for self-direction. it’s appearing on Grandstreet’s stage is quite the fantastic bureaucrats and a band of bandits. tale. They’ll also learn who they really are and what they’re How we define innovation Indie rock star Meloy of The Decemberists is a former capable of. Innovation is the act of introducing something Grandstreet kid, and thus Grandstreet miraculously got This is a mere glimpse of the fun oddities in this new or different to further an artist’s vision and first dibs on staging a production. It appears courtesy swash-buckling and witty adventure. practice. This can mean new methods, applications, of Laika Pictures, which has optioned the novel for the “It’s very whimsical, playful and fun,” says guest di- perspectives, elements, forms, materials, technology screen. rector Sarah Butts. “It’s funny and has moments of great integration, project concepts and/or processes that But back to the baby-saving heroics. heart.” result from study, experimentation or experiences. In- Just as Prue (Cadence Hatten) is plunging into Wild- There’s plenty of mystery and menace as well. novation can be from any era of an artist’s career, and wood, classmate Curtis Mehlberg (Kai Moser) follows “There are elements of danger,” adds education direc- can be a personal evolution, or an evolution for the hot on her heels, admonishing her about assorted rules tor Marianne Adams, the show’s producer. “It takes place field, or both. Innovation is applicable to traditional she’s breaking and homework that’s due. But both aban- today in a magical world of Wildwood, which is its own art and contemporary art. don all caution to save Baby Mac. magical universe.” They will confront the murder of crows that just stole This is a world where kids – nerdy, book-loving kids – Mac, but also meet a troop of sarcastic, saber-wielding take charge. Awards and Application Deadlines coyotes in uniform, squirrels in three-piece suits, Wise See Wildwood, page 5 Up to six awards of $5,000 each will be distribut- Owl Regina, a Dowager Governess, a bevy of blundering ed for this cycle. The deadline to submit applications is Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019. Learn more at www.art.mt.gov. handMADE Montana opens in Polson By Kristi Niemeyer Mary Agnes Roberts (M.A.): Two weeks before she opens the doors of handMADE Montana Retail A Remembrance and Production House to the public, When Mary Agnes Roberts (fondly known as M.A.), Carol Lynn Lapotka is relaxed and passed away on March 18, 2019, she left behind a rich gregarious, even though her to-do list history representing 60 years of dedication, involvement seems insurmountable. A crew of car- and love for the Great Falls Symphony and the arts in the penters is in the attic, repairing broken state of Montana, and beyond. trusses in her 110-year-old building on In 1959, M.A. was a driving force behind the estab- Polson’s Main Street. A new employee lishment of the Great Falls Symphony. From then until is painting the inside of drawers and her death at 97 years of age, she was a musician, advo- organizing inventory. cate, fundraiser, benefactor, board member and staunch At the same time that Lapotka puts supporter of symphonies and the arts on a local, state and finishing touches on the shop/production national level. In the late 1970s M.A. had a dream that space, she’s organizing the upcoming the Great Falls Symphony would become home to a pro- Summer MADE Fair, June 23 at Caras fessional string quartet whose members could serve not Park in Missoula. And buying a house. only as principal string players in the orchestra, but be “I work fairly well in intensity,” she involved in the community and state as private teachers says. and provide education and outreach to Montana’s rural Carol Lynn Lapotka in her new handMade Montana Retail and Produc- communities. tion house, opening July 1 on Polson’s Main Street. Encouraged by her vision, the board of directors hired More talent than we can contain the first professional string quartet in 1979. From 1979 For Lapotka, her new 2,000-square-foot space is school. Then her business occupied the second bedroom until 1986 she served as the volunteer manager of the the logical next step in a business that’s been bustling of their rental until she found a studio space at Zootown quartet, traveling thousands of miles with the ensemble almost since its inception. She graduated from Edge- Arts Community Center. to bring them to rural communities across the state. On a wood College in Madison, WI, with a degree in fine arts, When her husband took a job with the Lake County state-wide level, M.A. was again instrumental in 1981 in graphic design and environmental studies. Those passions Attorney’s office and they moved to St. Ignatius in 2010, the establishment of the Montana Association of Sym- meshed in REcreate Designs as she began “foraging” for she worked in a 600-square-foot studio at the end of phony Orchestras, a statewide consortium represented by fabric in thrift stores and at rummage sales, and crafting their driveway. At the same time, the MADE fairs were the seven major symphony organizations in Montana. unique clothing from her finds. expanding. She worked in her basement until she and her hus- See M.A. Roberts, page 2 band moved to Missoula in 2007 so he could attend law See handMADE Montana, page 5 State of the Arts • Summer 2019 only increasing as required by law, MAC is struggling to keep up with demand. In one FROM THE DIRECTOR grant program, 30% of the applicant pool was first-time submissions. MAC is walking a fine Tatiana Gant, Executive Director line to maintain consistent funding to estab- [email protected] lished institutions while investing in budding programming. Inspiration abounds Gratitude for Montana’s robust offerings in new fiscal year Photo by Czelsi Gómez As this issue demonstrates, the arts are While Jan. 1 signals the beginning of a and we are anxious for his announcement. thriving in Montana. It is especially evident in new year, July 1 kicks off the Montana Arts The Montana Artreprenuer Program will the glorious summer when we are out enjoy- Council (MAC) fiscal year. At this writing, we establish new learning cohorts this sum- ing our communities and resources. As you are just back from an engaging Council meet- mer. Artist’s Innovation Awards, accepting take in the highlighted events, pay attention ing in Lewistown. With only two a year, this applications this fall, will embrace the fluid to who is making them possible. Notice the meeting was packed with weighty business. interaction of artistic fields by moving away sponsors and donors that share your values for The Council approved the FY 2020 budget, from restrictive discipline categories. Folk arts, entertainment and engagement. Appreci- acted on grant funding recommendations, and arts programs, chiefly the Montana Circle of ation and patronage keep the cycle of support 2 viable. made important decisions for programs and American Masters, will benefit from addition- Pay attention to Montana’s investments as services. With its diverse mix of perspectives, al funding from the National Endowment for well, be it through MAC, the Office of Tour- the Council is committed to the mission and the Arts (NEA.) ism, or Montana State Parks. Communicate dedicated to making the best decisions for the Congress’s budgetary increase to the NEA translated into an extra 1% in MAC’s annual to your elected officials when it matches your people of Montana. priorities and why. Most of all, appreciate the Partnership Agreement. The small uptick Heading into the new fiscal year, MAC is staff and volunteers. Much like my Council, makes a big difference in MAC’s bottom inspired. Governor Bullock is considering the they are committed to doing the best for the line. With state funds for next biennium recommendations for the next Poet Laureate, people of Montana. Felton & Ferguson Woodworking: A dream realized Sign up Montana Arts Council members rity in making it. … I will know for MAC’s and staff toured Felton & Ferguson when I have stopped short or cut a Woodworking during the council’s corner.