Let the Auction Season Begin! Page 12 MAC Hosts National Arts Education Managers Page 14 Winter 2020 n Montana - The Land of Creativity MAC announces 2019 Artist’s Innovation Award recipients The Montana Arts Council approved six Montana art- ists to receive its Artist’s Innovation Award. The $5,000 award is given every two years to artists who have attained a level of success in their pursuit of discovery. A panel of experts convened in November to deter- mine the recommendations that were presented for the council’s approval at the December meeting in Billings. “Montana has an incredibly rich creative environ- ment,” says Tatiana Gant, executive director of the Montana Arts Council. “The Council understands the ne- cessity for artists to take chances. This award encourages artists to invest in research and continued exploration. The caliber of the artists selected highlights Montana’s bright future.” Jane Waggoner Deschner Robert Harrison Naomi Siegel (Photo by Rio Chantel) Over the next year, each awardee will make a public presentation on their creative process, and the role innovation has played in their development. MAC will share details over social media as information becomes available. This year’s winners are: Jane Waggoner Deschner, Billings Robert Harrison, Helena, with support from the Jessie Wilber and Frances Senska Individual Artist Award in Ceramics Nan Parsons, Basin Jennifer Reifsneider, Missoula Naomi Siegel, Missoula Melissa Stephenson, Missoula See pages 6-7 for AIA Profiles Jennifer Reifsneider Melissa Stephenson, with daughter Nan Parsons Submission deadline Feb. 3 Mural aims to raise awareness of opioid crisis By Anna Paige reflect the history, op- 2020 Governor’s Arts Reprinted with pression, and triumph permission from the of indigenous peoples Billings Gazette, Oct. 25 of the Great Plains. Awards nominations open Carlin Bear Don’t “In order to fulfill Walk describes his life your dreams, you’ve The Governor’s Arts Awards honor outstanding as a process of chasing got to remember where citizens and organizations in Montana whose achieve- dreams, something his you started at and ments in the arts, or on behalf of the arts, benefit all high school art teacher remember those who Montanans. Since its inception 35 years ago, in 1981, instilled in him. He hopes came before you and 113 artists, art leaders and educators, and arts organi- to do the same for young what they’ve been zations across the state have been recognized for their people, inspiring them to through,” said Bear talent and accomplishments. use art as an outlet, espe- Don’t Walk. The mural Awards will be distributed in December 2020 to cially if they come from a was painted in collab- honorees who demonstrate artistic excellence and world of addiction. oration with children achievement, dedication to Montana, ongoing contri- The 37-year-old in the community and butions to the cultural community and worthiness of abstract artist, who Carlin Bear Don’t Walk at work on a mural at ZooMontana indigenous activist statewide recognition. lives in Billings and is in Billings. (Photo by Casey Page/Billings Gazette) Goldstein Little Eagle. The nomination deadline is Feb. 3, 2020. To see a member of both the The mural is painted a list of past honorees and for more information or a Crow and Northern Cheyenne tribes, was commissioned atop a concrete retaining wall at the entrance to ZooMon- hard copy of the nomination form, visit art.mt.gov/gaa by ZooMontana and the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders tana, measuring five feet tall and 78 feet long. Bear Don’t or contact Czelsi Gómez at [email protected]. Council to paint an expansive outdoor mural, which he Walk estimates he’ll spend a total of 50 hours on the proj- titled “Dream Chasers of Montana.” Not just another ect, which was funded by a Tribal Opioid Response Grant pretty piece of art, the mural is funded by a collaborative through SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health effort to prevent and address opioid abuse in Yellowstone Services Administration), part of nationwide funding In Memoriam County. from the Department of Health to curb opioid abuses. Montana’s Bear Don’t Walk grew up on the Northern Cheyenne Roy Pack, Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council arts commu- Reservation and has been painting since he was a kid. He program director, applied for a grant for Yellowstone nity is reeling was taught the culture and ways of life of the Northern County. The council received $200,000 to be used for this fall with Cheyenne people, and he said living on the reservation opioid prevention, treatment, and recovery for Native the loss of inspired him to pursue his dreams of being a professional Americans across two years … some of its artist, despite the hardships, addiction, and loss that also Though the artwork represents the smallest allotment iconic musi- surrounded him. of the grant, it’s the most dramatic, Pack said. “It’s about cians, thes- “I’ve seen all kinds of great artists who never made not just collaboration, but building community.” pians, artists, it, who succumbed to the stereotypes, who succumbed to Bear Don’t Walk, whose work in recent years has teachers and the way of reservation life. That is my biggest inspiration gained national attention, was asked to participate in the right there,” said Bear Don’t Walk. “I grew up around all project, in part because his artwork is so visually impact- arts advocates. Arlene Parisot Among them that stuff, and that is what pushes me to be great, pushes ful (it’s difficult not to notice his nearly neon color palette is one of our own, artist, teacher, arts ambassador and me to live the dream for those who never made it.” and striking imagery), but also because of his connections MAC member Arlene Parisot. Read about her many Bear Don’t Walk’s painting stretches across time, from between the urban Indian community of Billings and the contributions to the council on page 2, and see our the migration of indigenous people and the bison herds state’s reservations. of the West to a hopeful, urban future. The vivid and many other condolences on pages 5 and 8. See Bear Don’t Walk Mural, page 8 action-fueled scenes across the nearly 80-foot long mural State of the Arts • Winter 2020 or medium she chose. She knew the value of exploration and experimenting with materials. FROM THE DIRECTOR Arlene was very supportive of MAC’s work around developing artists’ careers, especially Tatiana Gant, Executive Director the Montana Artreprenuer Program. I was [email protected] touched when her son shared that she kept a photograph of the Montana Arts Council in her studio. “Arlene was one of our champion arts coun- cil members,” remembers retired MAC director MAC member Arlene Parisot Arni Fishbaugh. “I got to know her initially Photo by Czelsi Gomez because of the fabulous work she did at the College of Great Falls as it related to using the Missing her warmth, brilliance and humor arts as a workforce development tool. When appointed to our council, she was especially In the past, I have shared valuable in strides we made in arts and eco- how important the governor nomic development, not to mention the whole appointed-council is in guid- area of arts education, which had also been so ing the work of the Montana much of her life. I called upon her many times 2 Arts Council. Each member to testify before the Legislature and represent brings unique perspectives us around the country at conferences and on and experiences that are grant panels. Her service was immense and invaluable. appreciated so much by us all.” MAC has lost a vibrant At the recent meeting of the full council, we member with the death of took the time to reflect and share our memories Arlene Parisot. Arlene was of Arlene. Her quiet, thoughtful leadership appointed to her first term on style was remembered. She listened carefully, the Montana Arts Council by spoke honestly, and the council respected her Governor Brian Schweitzer, insight. Members expressed admiration for then reappointed twice by her active lifestyle; how she spent her retire- Governor Steve Bullock. ment doing the things she wanted to do, most Arlene’s service on the notably spending time with her family. We will Sign up council was the perfect mar- miss her warmth, brilliance and humor. riage of her career in public for MAC’s service, her commitment to eNews community, and her enjoy- Between the quar- ment in creating art. At her One of our champion terly issues of the core, Arlene was an educator. Arlene Parisot at work in the printmaking studio during a arts council members State of the Arts, our She worked in classrooms Montana Arts Council gathering in 2011. staff publishes four internationally, from grade … Her service was im- separate e-newsletters school through higher education. Arlene directed workforce planning initia- with opportunities and Early on, Arlene saw the potential of using tives. mense and appreciated information: technology as a learning tool and the role it Arlene found joy and inspiration in nature. • Artists’ eNews would play in the economy. In the position The influence of light and space is evident so much by us all. • Arts Educators’ that she held until her retirement, with the in her paintings. Her patient personality was – Retired MAC director Arni Fishbaugh eNews Montana Commissioner of Higher Education, perfectly suited to the challenging watercol- • Arts Organizations’ eNews • Public Artists’ Shawna Korth joins MAC staff as Business Specialist eNews If you’d like to sign Shawna Korth, a native Montanan who In 2017, with their two In addition to two adult up for one or more of grew up in Cut Bank, joined the Montana Arts children grown, Korth and children, she and her hus- these, please offer us Council in November as Business Specialist.