The third of four large mosaic murals depicting life in the Flathead Valley will be unveiled on Sept. 4, showcasing months of public contributions and work on the piece.
In 2012, Stumptown Art Studio launched Windows on Whitefish, or WOW.
It is a public art project consisting of a series of 6-foot-by-9 foot mosaic murals depicting the four seasons of the Whitefish Range and life in the Flathead Valley. The three-year project was initially funded by a start-up grant from the Montana Arts Council and will continue to need support through donations from individuals, businesses and future grants.
The first of the four windows, depicting the seasons of Whitefish, was unveiled in September 2012, followed by the second (summer), with the third window (fall), scheduled to be presented in a ceremony on Thursday, Sept. 4 just prior to the beginning of the Whitefish Gallery Night.
Special guest Arlynn Fishbaugh, executive director of the Montana Arts Council will present the unveiling at 5:45 p.m. at the corner of Second and Central, followed by a celebration at Stumptown Art Studio.
Also during this gallery evening from 6-9 p.m. is the regular opening reception for artistic director of the WOW project, Deb Stika, who is the featured artist at the Stumptown Art Studio exhibit. The evening is also a student and volunteer thank you show displaying mosaic artwork created by her students.
Seeing and inspired by the exhibit, the public will have a final opportunity to become part of the project and create their own mosaic pieces this fall, as the fourth window is being created.
The murals are on permanent display on the corner of 2nd Street and Central Avenue on the wall of the Latitude 48 Restaurant building.