October ArtWalk

ArtWalk Downtown Billings hosts its fifth of six events for the 2024 season. ArtWalk locations across downtown will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. to host exhibits and feature artists from Billings and throughout the region. A mobile-friendly map and more information about the October 4th event, including images and gallery notes, can be found at www.artwalkdowntownbillings.com and on Facebook and Instagram @billingsartwalk.   

The October ArtWalk features 29 open locations. With two one-time participants joining us Dan Palagyi Gallery, 115 N. Broadway Suite# 208 and Billings Public Library at 510 North Broadway hosting the Billings Art Association.

 

All ArtWalk events are free. Many locations host music and offer light refreshments. Often, artists attend and present gallery talks. There are a variety of parking options in the downtown area, including free on street metered parking after 5 p.m. 

Gallery Notes and Location 

A&E Design, 124 N. 29th St. will be closed for the October ArtWalk.  

Anderson Art Studio, 2706 Minnesota Ave will be closed for the October ArtWalk

Aspinwall, 103 North Broadway, hosts local wildlife and landscape photographer Seth Royal Kroft as well as artist Jessica Brophy. 

Professional wildlife and landscape photographer Seth Royal Kroft is a Billings native who spent his upbringing participating in all the outdoor activities Montana had to offer. Seth’s work focuses on the mountain regions of Montana and Yellowstone National Park, and has been featured in hotels, luxury apartments, magazines, travel guides, billboards, international online articles and more. In collaboration with Aspinwall Mountain Wear, Seth recently opened up his own art gallery in the heart of downtown Billings. 

Jessica Brophy was raised in the wilderness of Montana and grew up training horses, raising chickens, and painting. Jessica does art differently. She makes custom art, which means she works one-on-one with each of her clients to create a painting or drawing around their style and what they love. Her pet portraits are wildly popular!

Enjoy FREE beer and local art. We’ll see you there!

 

Asylum Distillery, 2223 Montana Avenue #101 will be hosting macrame artist Michelle Bernard and Chelsey Pirtz owner of Resin8us for the October ArtWalk. Stop by the distillery for a cocktail, art, and great conversation. 

Michelle was introduced to the art of macrame in the 80’s.  Back then, jute was really the only macramé material available, and patterns were hard to come by. Throughout her life, she has maintained a crafty disposition, exploring various forms of artistic expression. After retiring several years ago and snow birding her way to Florida golfing became her new passion, she quickly realized that she was bored and needed something to keep her hands and mind busy.  “While out shopping I started noticing a lot of macrame pieces in all of the home stores…reigniting my love with the art!” Michelle

Chelsey’s mission is to create pieces that make individuals feel special and shine through her unique designs. With a variety of different colors and shapes for both earrings and necklaces she also creates beautiful suncatchers for your home.

Barjons Books, 223 North 29th Street, Barjon’s Books will be hosting artists Carolyn Tolton and Rúhíyyih Tolton for the October ArtWalk.

Carolyn is a fourth generation Montanan, daughter and granddaughter of farmers, teachers, and artists. A fourth-grade teacher, Carolyn’s pottery serves as a personal sanctuary where she can decompress and explore, resulting in pieces that blend functionality and artistry. She loves to spend her evenings in the studio making a mess, creating new shapes, and listening to her newest audiobook. 

Artist Rúhíyyih puts to paper the gifts (both real and imaginary) of time and labor spent in the garden. These days working largely in pen and ink, sometimes mixing watercolor and pastels, she enjoys observing small things, honoring the brevity of the flowering and harvest seasons. Rúhíyyih lives in Billings with her husband Peter and son Robin, who inspire her daily along with their dog, cat, chickens, garden (of course), and all the bugs and tiny things her son marvels over.

 

Billings First Congregational Church (BFC), 310 North 27th Street, Billings First Congregational Church will be hosting artist Jean Posusta. Broad brushes and unusually shaped or divided and frameless canvases intimate her acrylic stylings.  Most often, aspen groves and bayous draw you “back home”, as you stare at her canvas. Jean dabbled as an art agent for a couple of friends and found she was reinspired while visiting galleries and got back to painting 12 years ago. Capturing Montana’s serenity is her favorite ‘subject’.  

 

Billings Public Library, 510 North Broadway, Billings Public Library will host 20+ artists from the Billings Arts Association for the October 2024 ArtWalk! Stop by Art’s Paper & Paint and Crooked Line Studio booths and enjoy some light refreshments provided by Raven’s Cafe d’Art!

Billings Symphony Society, 2820 2nd Avenue North, Billings Symphony will be hosting artist Alaina Buffalo Spirit and The No Treble Trio consisting of Billings Symphony cellists Mary McCullogh, Teal Zankie, and Marley Ball. The No Treble Trio loves playing a variety of music around the Billings community, ranging from film classics like Moon River, to Irish Jigs, to toe-tapping tangos. Alaina, Owner of Buffalo Spirit Designs, is a nationally renowned artist. Alaina is a senior member of the So’taa’ee band of the Northern Cheyenne Nation.

Bishops Cuts/Color, 108 North Broadway, Bishops Cut/Color, For the October ArtWalk Bishops will be hosting Veronica O’Hara owner of Veronica Candle Co., Willows Mystical’s by Rose Ginsbach, and mixed media artist and photographer Virginia Collins.

Veronica owner + one woman show of Veronica Candle Co. always knew she wanted to own her own business but also create something that everyone can enjoy. Veronica will have candles, hair oil, car diffusers and wax melts available.Rose’s unique abilities extend beyond mere predictions; she offers profound guidance to clients not only regarding their present life trajectories but also delves into the threads that have woven their pasts. Virginia Collins is a mixed media artist and photographer who grew up in Billings and specializes in portraiture, exploring emotional representation and composition through color and form. She enjoys watercolor, ink, and acrylic using them together often, while also offering pyrography and hand engraving services for item personalization.

 

Bravera Bank, 123 North Broadway, Bravera Bank will be hosting artists Trevan Hiersche and Deanna Bergum for the October ArtWalk. Trevan grew up in the heart of Idaho, but now calls Montana home. He loves to explore landscapes far and wide and share the experiences with others. Along with showing prints, he enjoys teaching photography to others. Be on the lookout for meetups or inquire about improving your photography. 

Deanna uses various techniques and mediums, incorporating vibrant colors with an abstract twist. Her work reflects her experiences and interests, drawing inspiration from family, friends, art and music. I strive to capture beauty in a unique way.

Confetti Heart Studio, 2821 2nd Avenue North, Step into ‘Haus Odd’ 2nd Annual Oddities Show at Confetti Heart Studio, 2821 2nd Ave N; showcasing local art, bizarre creations, and vintage odds & ends perfect for creating unique home decor and costumes. Explore the whimsical, eerie, and extraordinary in this unforgettable gallery experience! Featuring artists Anne Ross, Beth Ann Zitur, Chris Diamond & Ray Krivanek. Fun concoctions will be available at the gallery café! 

 

Cushing Terrell, 13 N 23rd Street, will be closed for the October ArtWalk.

 

Dan Palagyi Gallery,115 N. Broadway Suite# 208, Dan Palagyi will be joining us for the October ArtWalk. Dan was raised in Roundup MT and studied painting at MSU Bozeman.  His artistic process involves the manipulation of color and texture in an improvised manner.  Palagyi is inspired by the land and the sky of central Montana.

Downtown Billings Alliance (DBA),102 N. 29th St, The DBA will be hosting Billings artists Ruby Hahn and Rilie Tané Zumbrennen for the October ArtWalk. 

Ruby, an Acrylic and Mixed Media Artist, who is inspired by the natural world’s inconspicuous relationships and interpretations.Throughout her abstract paintings, she explores the connections between the microscopic and macroscopic realms. The perception of the pieces is left up to the viewer.

Ruby’s more recent wildlife paintings are thought to evoke a different emotion. Ruby found herself getting lost in the process of translating her painting style into the subject matter of loose and expressive wildlife. She enjoys the challenge of working with these painting techniques that simultaneously explore the duality and similarity of her evolving styles.

Rilie, a pyrography and mural artist, is influenced by the beauty of the outdoors. She enjoys painting and wood burning animals and landscapes most. She uses a soldering tool and torch to burn onto wood. Additionally, she enjoys using carving tools to etch into glass, metal, and wood. She has participated in many Art Shows across the state and her murals can also be found across the state of Montana and in Nevada. Her murals commonly use sepia tones and gray scale to resemble her wood burnings. She has painted over 75 murals both residential and commercial. As an artist, she is interested in creating works that allow viewers to relate to the same extent as her involvement in each piece.

Electric Storm Gallery, 405 N 24th St. Electric Storm will be open for the October ArtWalk. Be sure to make this one of your stops for the evening.

Essence Medical Spa, 2202 1st Avenue N. Suite 1, Essence Medical Spa is pleased to be hosting local artist Terri Porta for the October ArtWalk. Terri Porta is a painter, muralist, and contemporary sculptor working in metal, wood, ceramics, and any other material readily available. She graduated from Montana State University Billings with her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a women’s study minor. She has an established art business, and her fine art is collected internationally and has been exhibited at group shows and in museums all over the region. Currently, she has been selected as the first-ever Artist in Residence for the City of Billings, Montana, the largest city in the state. Enjoy live music from Mandela Effect along with light refreshments.

Global Village, 2815 2nd Avenue North is featuring artist Jennie Peterson for the October ArtWalk. Jennie started making wine cork art back in 2017. After hurting her back at work, she was a Juvenile Detention Officer and had to take time off. She needed something to do with her time, so she started making ornaments, magnets, and trivets with corks. 

Harry Koyama Fine Art, 2509 Montana Ave. On tap for the October Artwalk at Harry Koyama Fine Art will be recent paintings and new work on the miniature wall.  The mini wall will feature work from 8×10 down to 5×7 with subjects of native, wildlife and landscape.

Hedden-Empire Gallery, 206 North 29th Street, will be hosting photographer Alethea Kelso for the October ArtWalk. Her love for photography began when she got the opportunity to work with some amazing women at a well-known boudoir studio called Bad Kitty Photography. During her time at BKP her creativity flourished, and she went on to shoot pin- up girls, old Hollywood glamour, fashion, and hot-rods.

Her need for the mountains and love for animals, horses especially, wildlife, and stunning landscapes brought her to Montana where she is beginning her wildlife and nature adventure.  Alethea loves to inspire people, and she hopes to be able to continue creating beautiful prints for everyone to enjoy.

Kirks’ Grocery, 2920 Minnesota Avenue, Supraliminal: Ellen Ornitz and Candace Forrette

October 4 – November 16, 2024

Opening reception: Friday, October 4, 5–9 pm (during ArtWalk) with delicious bites by Chef Ashley Woodward. Supraliminal: Ellen Ornitz and Candace Forrette takes you beyond the thresholds of the intentional and intuitive. Burnt Fossils of Ornitz are primitively fired ceramics exploring disintegration and renewal. Forrette’sFollowing Winter series features transparent encaustic layers inspired by a snowstorm.

McCormick Cafe, 2419 Montana Ave, will be hosting artist Deva Gallagher during the October ArtWalk. Deva is a silversmith/watercolor artist in Billings.  She has a BFA in Metals/Jewelry from MSU-Bozeman.  She uses her prized hammer collection to form small-batch sterling silver jewelry that is comfortable and built to last.  Montana wildflowers and the golden age of rodeo cowgirls inspire her watercolor art, available as prints, tea towels, greeting cards, and t-shirts. 

 Proof Donuts, 2715 1st Avenue North Suite A, is featuring artist, Liz Cozad, for the October ArtWalk 

Liz May is a contemporary artist working in painting, ceramics, and installation. Her work stems

from self-discovery and finding connections, ties, and comparisons based on logic and sequence.

The artist has spent her early years observing sociological behaviors in various community groups.

She represents complex interactions of opposing personalities in everyday routines and

exchanges. The artist creates fragmented experiences of the home and the world around her by

carefully altering the functionality of common objects in these ritualistic scenarios. Her work is a

minimized autobiography that discusses self-preservation while immersed in the collective. She

draws attention to our relationships with fluctuation, chaos, and order in shared spaces.

Robert Tompkins Fine Art, 115 N. 28th St. Ste 304, Robert Tompkins is an Impressionist oil painter. Work bridges realism & abstract. Gallery features original oils, landscapes, florals. animals & abstract. 

 Sandstone Gallery, 2913 2nd Avenue North, for the October ArtWalk, Sandstone Gallery will be featuring Jennifer Baretta‘s lovely pottery and exciting new watercolors with Lynn Shield‘s vibrant Brusho watercolor paintings of horses and wildlife, as well as her new “Once in a Blue Moon” exhibit depicting each of the 12 moons. Our guest artist is Linda Pease with her stunning multi-media pieces. Billings Arts Association’s artists for October and November are Cynthia Kesser (watercolor) and Phil Bell (photographer). We are also very excited to welcome our newest partner member artist Rachael Deyle.

Artists reception with light refreshments from 5-9 PM. Many or all of our 14 artists will also be on hand to show their work and talk to you about their art. Please join us for a fun evening downtown!

 Stephen Haraden Studio and Gallery,2817 2nd Avenue North, suite #205, The process of creating randomly assembled scrap paper

collages continue at the Stephen Haraden Studio. Stop by to visit with Stephen about his new approach to this work.

 

 Stone Feather Road, 2525 Minnesota Ave, Stone Feather Road will be hosting three artists for the October ArtWalk hat band & leather designer Whiskey Lee, photographer Kristen Collett and traditional bead jewelry designer Shauna Zeck.

Whiskey Lee has always been against the grain and true to her own style. If she’s not creating art or homeschooling with her son, she’s in nature sharing her love for Mother Earth as a practicing Druid. “My name, my style, my interests, my love for the planet, my love for my practice, all influence my creativity. Mother Earth is my inspiration.” Whiskey Lee.

Kristen Collett’s induction to the magic of the Pryor Mountains and the incredible wild horses who live there happened in 2011. Little did she know, this was a new beginning. She would soon move from working as a high-end chef in Florida, to becoming an outdoor photographer and wild horse advocate for the Pryor wild horses. She moved to Montana and took a break from her culinary career, spending countless hours exploring and photographing the vast, untamed 39,900 acres of land the Pryor Wild Horses call home. 

Shauna Zeck owner of Bead Spirit Designs is self-taught in traditional (Native American) beadwork beginning about 25 years ago: moccasins, ceremonial items and dance fans, leather pouches and my own northern style buckskin regalia. As her love for gemstones and jewelry design grew, it has since evolved into the more contemporary line that you see today. A portion of all sales goes into my Little Spirits Fund. This fund she has set up to help Native American children & babies living on the Pine Ridge Reservation of South Dakota. During the summer months they ship out the most requested and much needed items: diapers/wipes, shoes/socks, winter coats/boots, food and drinking water. Across the winter months they work on providing heat to elders, Veterans and single caretakers as many go without.

 

The Grand Building (Jake’s Downtown), 2701 1st Avenue North, The Grand Building will be hosting artist Marie Taylor for the October ArtWalk.

Marie Taylor is an artist from Montana. She started her career in healthcare and has always expressed her creative side through many projects – ranging from clay, to murals, to jewelry. Quickly, her passion and success led her to commit to her art in a full-time capacity. Marie’s curiosity has led her on a journey to meet many encouraging friends and mentors. Marie works in a variety of subjects and mediums – her favorite being encaustic & oil. She has a strong sense of space & design. She is able to transform her clients’ spoken ideas into artistic reality.

Thirsty Street, 2123 1st Ave N. You won’t want to miss out on all the fun at Thirsty Street during the October ArtWalk.

Friday night, October 4th, Montana Renaissance Festival and BIRD- in conjunction with the October Artwalk and sponsored by Thirsty Street Brewing – kick off the All Hallows Medieval Fantasy Fair weekend with a concert featuring music by Nordic Daughter, Black Murray, & Salt & Shadow with a special fire whip demonstration by world record holder Adam “Crack” Winrich.

 

This House of Books, 116 North 29th Street Suite B, will be hosting Lindsey Munson. Linsey is a mixed pencil artist who focuses a bunch of her artistic talents on animals. During the October ArtWalk, she will be showing the images she has created of animals and plants around Billings. 

Tyler Murphy Studio, 111 N. 30th Suite 217. For the October ArtWalk Tyler will have a handful of new paintings on display at the studio above the Art House Cinema.

 Visible Vault (YAM) located at 505 North 26th Street, behind the Museum:

  • Artist-in-residence, Krista Leigh Pasini | 5:30 – 8 PM

Join Krista for “FREE REFILLS” an evening dedicated to poetic balms, antidotes, & remedies.

Yellowstone Art Museum (YAM), 410 North 27th Street.

Monster Drawing Rally When: Friday, October 4, 2024 from 5 – 8 PM Tickets: $10

 YAM’s Monster Drawing Rally is part live art-making performance, part art bazaar, and part live auction in a fast-paced, lively event! During a Monster Drawing Rally, artists create artwork from start to finish while under a 1-hour time limit in front of a live audience. Attendees can bid on the works after they are made. The Monster Drawing Rally offers a rare and exciting opportunity to watch artists in action and a chance to take home their completed pieces, all while supporting the YAM. Ticket holders will also enjoy a live DJ, light snacks and a cash bar.

  • Posted on: September 24, 2024

Sandstone Gallery Art Walk

For October’s ArtWalk, Sandstone Gallery will be featuring Jennifer Baretta‘s lovely pottery and exciting new watercolors with Lynn Shield‘s vibrant Brusho watercolor paintings of horses and wildlife, as well as her new “Once in a Blue Moon” exhibit of paintings for each of the 12 moons. Our guest artist is Linda Pease with her stunning multi-media pieces. Billings Arts Association’s artists for October and November are Cynthia Kesser (watercolor) and Phil Bell (photographer). We are also very excited to welcome our newest partner member artist Rachael Deyle.

Artists reception with light refreshments from 5-9 PM. Many or all of our 14 artists will also be on hand to show their work and talk to you about their art. Please join us for a fun evening downtown!

  • Posted on: September 13, 2024

Featured: YAM Art Auction Now Accepting Submissions

Featured news

Yellowstone Art Museum

The Yellowstone Art Museum (YAM) is pleased to be seeking artwork submissions for Art Auction 57. The YAM’s signature annual exhibition and auction event raises crucial support for the YAM’s exhibitions and educational programs. This exhibition will include silent and live auctions. Selected works will be on display at the Yellowstone Art Museum beginning Friday, February 7, 2025 and culminate in a Silent and Live Auction Gala on Saturday, March 8, 2025.

Artists interested in submitting their artwork to the silent auction, including small works, can find the application form on the YAM’s website, artmuseum.org, or apply online directly HERE.

Applications and corresponding images of artist’s submissions are due by midnight on Sunday, November 3, 2024. Submissions are FREE with the coupon code AA57 through Sunday, September 1. Any application submitted between September 2 and the November 3rd deadline must include a $35 application fee.

Important Dates for Submitting Artists
  • Last day of free application: Sun. September 1, 2024
  • Final application deadline: Sunday, November 3, 2024
  • Acceptance notification sent to artists no later than: Fri. November 22, 2024
  • Art delivered to YAM by: December 15, 2024
  • Exhibition open: Fri. February 7, 2025
  • Live & silent auction gala: Sat. March 8, 2025

The annual art auction is one of the YAM’s most treasured opportunities to spotlight celebrated regional artwork, introduce emerging artists, and inspire patrons at every stage of collecting. We invite you to be part of this diverse and exciting exhibition and the many events surrounding it. As the YAM’s largest fundraiser, the Art Auction raises crucial support for the exhibitions and educational programs that the Yellowstone Art Museum presents each year.

The nationally accredited Yellowstone Art Museum is the region’s largest contemporary art museum offering changing exhibitions, adult and children’s art education, café, museum store, and the Visible Vault, housing the YAM’s permanent art collection.

Museum hours are 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday; 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Thursday; and Closed Monday.

Please check the museum’s website,  www.artmuseum.org , to learn about other exhibitions, events, and classes.
Find them on Facebook and Instagram

3rd Annual Boots & Beads Art Auction + Indigenous Showcase

Please join us for Triia’s 3rd Annual Boots & Beads Art Auction + Indigenous Showcase at the Pub Station.
This event features live music, comedy, dinner, and auctions.
Triia – Teaching. Reaching. Innovative. Indigenous. Artists., as part of the Native American Development Corporation (NADC), would like to share with you the announcement of our ‘3rd annual Boots & Beads Art Auction & Indigenous Showcase’ to be held in conjunction with Native American Development Corporation’s 15th annual Big Sky Native ECon conference. Boots and Beads brings together Native American entrepreneurs, artists, and business leaders from multiple communities across the country, providing an original networking opportunity.
Enjoy a farm-to-table 3-course dinner, live music from Native American performing artists, and the opportunity to bid on original works of art from a few of our favorite accomplished Native American artists.
  • Posted on: July 25, 2024

46th Annual SummerFair Arts & Craft Festival

SummerFair, now in its 46th year, is the longest running arts and crafts festival in the region, featuring family activities, performers, and creative vendors from near and far.

An exciting variety of makers, community groups, and food vendors participate every year. Artist booths at SummerFair include painting, pottery, natural products, glass, wood, metal, fiber art, photography, artisan foods and more. SummerFair is a great place to find that unique gift for yourself or someone special while supporting the creative community.

While SummerFair is a fundraiser for the Museum, it truly meets our mission by enriching the community through interactive experiences and creative exchange in collaboration with our cultural partners.

  • Posted on: May 30, 2024

SpringFest

On Saturday, June 1st, the Moss Mansion welcomes you to the 35th annual SpringFest – a spectacular art and craft festival, all beautifully presented on the museum’s lawn. SpringFest delivers a day of shopping, live music, delicious food and fun activities for kids of all ages. Featuring over 50 juried artists and thousands of unique treasures, it’s the perfect place to shop, relax and connect with friends while enjoying one of Montana’s best historic places.

 

The day begins with a delicious pancake breakfast at 8:30 a.m. Then from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. shoppers will delight as they explore works of art and fine crafts presented by the artists. This year’s festival features a wide variety of handmade art in mediums such as jewelry, photography, clothing/textiles, leather, wood, pottery/clay, paintings and prints, and more.

 

A selection of foods including tacos and burgers, plus beverages including mimosas, Bloody Marys, wine and locally brewed beer are on hand to fuel your day of shopping.  And, for anyone with a sweet tooth, there’s kettle corn, homemade baked goods and ice cream!

 

Watch artists demonstrate their work or take in the sights and sounds of performers at three stages.

 

Little ones will also find fun things to do in the children’s area complete with games, face painting, sno-cones and cotton candy.

 

Admission to SpringFest is free!  The Moss Mansion and Gift Shop, located at 914 Division St., Billings, MT, will be open for self-guided tours from 10am – 4pm at regular tour prices.

 

All proceeds from artist booth fees, donation jars and food and drink sales benefit Moss Mansion’s operations and ongoing preservation projects.

 

 

  • Posted on: May 30, 2024

Featured: Yellowstone Art Museum Receives Two Major Gifts Totaling $1.4 Million

Featured Article

yellowstone art museum

February 3, 2024

The Yellowstone Art Museum (YAM) has announced that the museum has received its single largest gift, from a private donor, in its sixty-year history. Deborah Anspach and John Hanson, longtime Billings residents, have gifted $1 million to the YAM’s Endowment Fund. Additionally, the Mary Alice Fortin Family Foundation, Inc. recently committed $400,000 to the ongoing care of the YAM’s historic building and in support of Education Outreach at the museum.

The generous gift from Deborah Anspach and John Hanson will financially support the position of the executive director and, in honor of the gift, the executive director’s position will now be named “The Deborah Anspach and John Hanson Executive Director of the Yellowstone Art Museum.” Jessica Kay Ruhle, the YAM Executive Director, said, “Deborah and John have been steadfast supporters of the arts for many years. They have donated countless hours of leadership and service to the museum and other civic organizations in town. They embody a spirit of warmth, good cheer, and generosity. We are honored and deeply grateful for their continued support of the museum, and their commitment to making Billings a vibrant place to live and work.”

“What the Yellowstone Art Museum does so well is to act as a collective memory for Billings and the surrounding region to help us better understand ourselves and preserve our various cultures. Art shapes and changes lives, in positive ways. Time and time again, we hear
stories from so many people, about how art and art making saved their lives. Art matters.”

Deborah Anspach

Deborah Anspach is a retired attorney and YAM Trustee. John Hanson, a retired physician, shared, “It’s more fun to do this when you’re alive to see the gift in action.” Philanthropy and community involvement are driving factors in this couple’s philosophy.

“We hope our gift inspires others to give. Give what you are able. It all makes a difference.”

John Hanson

“It truly is an astounding gift,” said Precious McKenzie, Director of Advancement. “When they told us of their intentions, our executive team was, at first, speechless, awestruck. Then we were just absolutely moved to tears by their generosity. Words cannot express how grateful we are for this amazing gift. Deborah and John are inspiring. This gift makes a tremendous impact for the future of the museum.”

The Mary Alice Fortin Foundation, Inc. has a long and meaningful history of philanthropy in Billings and throughout the country. This significant contribution to the YAM is designated for the restoration of the building and to increase access to Education Outreach programs. Specifically, the support to education will help fund scholarships to the YAM’s summer camp programs and will provide resources to expand art education opportunities specifically for Indigenous community members.

These two are testaments to the growth the museum has recently experienced. In 2023, the museum was awarded a $240,000 grant from Art Bridges to break down barriers to access by making museum admission free for the next three years.

The Yellowstone Art Museum celebrates its 60th anniversary this year and will honor the museum’s history and future at programs throughout 2024.

Featured: The YAM presents The Montana Modernists: Shifting Perceptions

Featured Article

yellowstone art museum

November 17, 2022

The Yellowstone Art Museum is proud to announce the opening of The Montana Modernists: Shifting Perceptions. The exhibition features ceramics, prints, drawings, paintings, and mixed-media work and will be up through June 11, 2023.

The YAM will host a reception and curator’s talk featuring Dr. Michele Corriel on Saturday, January 28 at 2:00 PM. The talk will be followed by a book signing.

The Montana Modernists follows the investigation of twentieth-century postwar Montana art in guest curator Dr. Michele Corriel’s new book Montana Modernists: Shifting Perspectives on Western Art. Examining the emergence of an avant-garde movement in the state, Dr. Corriel profiles the pioneers of this movement, Jessie Wilber, Frances Senska, Bill Stockton, Isabelle Johnson, Robert DeWeese, and Gennie DeWeese. Together, these artists implemented an aesthetic philosophy and a modern understanding of form, color, and abstraction that expanded the way Western art in Montana is defined. 

Drawing primarily from the extensive collection of the Yellowstone Art Museum, the exhibition explores the first-generation modernists in Montana through the themes of Place, Artistic Lineage, and Community—all crucial elements in the lives and works of these artists. As the nascent movement grew and took hold across the state, it not only affected artmaking but allowed Montanans access to new ways of viewing themselves, society, and nature, and a way of seeing that had lasting effects on the struggle for a broader, more authentic Montana narrative. 

This wave of postwar artists found the need to express themselves differently from the Western illustrative work permeating the state. Their experiences, their point of view, and the changing world they found themselves in required something more. As Robert DeWeese noted, “The art students in 1949 were a completely different lot. They’d been in the war worldwide, and they were hungry for all of it.” It is not a leap to suggest that so many veterans who had seen the world, the war, the dropping of the atomic bomb, the devastation of Europe, and the reckoning with fascism needed a new way to communicate. 

Isabelle Johnson and Bill Stockton were native-born Montana ranchers, and Wilber, Senska, and the DeWeeses came from elsewhere to teach at Montana State in Bozeman. They were all missionaries of modernism who developed an authentic, personal style of expression in response to the land and society of contemporary Montana. Showing the works of all six of these artists together in one place demonstrates what these artists did and how in their interactions with one another, in their teaching, and, most of all, in the works they left behind, they created an art movement that still resonates today.

Michele Corriel researched these artists for years before writing her book, and this show reflects her deep consideration for each of them. “This project, culminating in a show at the Yellowstone Art Museum, validates the last five years of my academic life. I am thrilled to work with the YAM and to fulfill my personal promise to these amazing artists. I hope to keep their work in the eyes of the public for years to come.”

Corriel is a well-published art writer and has covered the region for the last 15 years. Her Ph.D. in American Art helped to guide her work through the rich history of Montana and to bring light to the largely untold story of modernism in the state. Her book Montana Modernists, published by Washington State University Press, will be available at the opening and for sale in the YAM store.

Exhibition sponsors include Charles M. Bair Family Trust, Linda Shelhamer & Stephen Haraden, Gordon McConnell and Betty Loos, and Dr. Ralph & Sheryl Costanzo

Featured: Yellowstone Art Museum celebrates with a new art action and gala event

Featured Article

yellowstone art museum

August 25, 202

The Yellowstone Art Museum (YAM) prepares to host The Night, a black-tie gala and art auction, on Saturday, September 10. The Night is a reimagined fundraising event that aims to support the YAM’s educational programs and ongoing exhibitions. The gala and art auction will feature a unique in-gallery dining experience, live music, and exceptional art for auction.

The evening’s honoree, Sally McIntosh, was a former YAM Art Educator and owner of McIntosh Arts, a local art supply store, gallery, and community space. Sally’s dedication to art, students, and the YAM has inspired countless members of our community. Funds will be raised during the auction to support YAM art education programs in celebration of Sally’s commitment to the arts.

The art auction will be led by auctioneer Shawna Rudio, from Missoula, Montana. She will be joined by Billings arts enthusiasts Corby Skinner and Steve Corning. Art available for auction showcases Montana’s leading contemporary artists, many of whom can be found in the YAM’s permanent collection. A full listing of the twenty-three artists and online bidding opportunities are available through September 9 at www.artmuseum.org/Gala2022.

Additionally, an exhibition of the auction artworks can be seen at the YAM through Friday, September 9. YAM Director, Jessica Kay Ruhle, will lead free guided tours of the auction exhibition on Thursday, September 1 at 5:30 PM and Thursday, September 8 at 12:15 PM. Tours are free and all museum visitors are welcome.

Dinner at The Night will be catered by Bozeman-based Seasonal Montana led by chef Melissa Harrison. Harrison was a recent contestant on the television series Top Chef where she demonstrated her culinary talents. Seasonal Montana honors farm-to-table practices and spotlights locally sources ingredients. The dining experience will be hosted in the museum’s Montana Gallery, alongside the artwork of Michael Haykin. Billings-based artist Jane Waggoner Deschner’s latest exhibition, Remember me., will open early to gala attendees. Remember me. opens to the general public on Sunday, September 11.

Individual tickets to The Night are available through the museum’s website, www.artmuseum.org/gala2022, or by calling the YAM at 406-256-6804 during regular business hours. Tickets must be purchased by Friday, September 2.

Yellowstone Art Museum’s SummerFair 2021

Exciting news! Yellowstone Art Museum will hold SummerFair 2021, their annual arts and crafts festival, outdoors on MSU-B’s beautiful campus! Billings. SummerFair 2021 is scheduled to take place Friday, June 25, 4 – 8 p.m., Saturday, June 26, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Sunday June 27, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Yellowstone Art Museum’s Executive Director, Bryan W. Knicely states, “Due to some extraordinary circumstances, we had to move locations to provide better access to our vendors and patrons. We know this venue change will only expand the collaborations with SummerFair and other Billings Cultural Partnership member organizations into a much larger cultural weekend.”

SummerFair, now in its 43rd year, is one of the most anticipated arts and crafts festivals in the region, featuring artisans from across the country. Visitors will enjoy ample parking, accessibility to vendor’s booths and food trucks, kids’ activities, art demonstrations, and much more! Following SummerFair on Sunday, Symphony in the Park is just a short walk or drive down the street in Pioneer Park! Artist booths at SummerFair include painting, pottery, art from nature, glass, wood, metal, fiber art, photography, body products, locally make products, and artisan foods. SummerFair is a great place to find that unique gift for yourself or someone special while supporting artists and the Billings Community.

The YAM is currently accepting applications for vendors. The deadline to apply is Friday, April 30, 2021. The application for vendors can be found here.

The YAM is also accepting applications for food trucks. The food truck contract and more information can be found here.

SummerFair is a fundraiser for the Museum while embodying the YAM’s mission of enriching the community through interactive experiences and creative exchange while collaborating with our community partners. The YAM is looking forward to partnering with MSU-B, their expansive art department and to hosting SummerFair on their lush campus.

Molly Schiltz, the Yellowstone Art Museum’s Events Coordinator, writes, “After a challenging year for all, the YAM is looking forward to bringing this popular event back to the community in 2021. However, please be assured that we will be hosting SummerFair 2021 in compliance with recommended CDC safety guidelines as they develop. We can’t predict the future, but we plan to stay agile and adhere to outdoor gathering regulations that keep our staff, vendors, and community safe.” More information on MSU-B’s campus and event COVID-19 policies can be found here.