Join the Bigfork Museum of Art and History for the opening of an exhibit on March 6, featuring a subject that is tightly engrained in the valley’s history and culture.
“Workers of Our Woods,” from artist Gretchen Finch, showcases some of the timber industry’s employees, with 14 portraits and images of the lumber company whose land borders hers.
From the museum:
Gretchen grew up in New Jersey, but after visiting Wyoming as a teenager, she fell in love with all things Western. She graduated with a B.F.A. from the University of Arizona, active in collegiate rodeo while attending, and later immersed herself deeply in the western lifestyle when she and her husband ran dude ranches in Jackson Hole. After moving to Whitefish in the 90’s, Gretchen finally had time to pursue her painting. Her favorite subjects are scenes of ranch life, western landscapes, and portraits. She has attended workshops, entered many shows, and is a prolific artist even though she keeps actively busy on a daily basis teaching watercolor, hosting Christian fellowship in her home, and hiking with her Welsh corgi, Owen, on the wooded trails around her home.
The personal and passionate vision she had some years back is now shared with the public in the form of expressive portraits depicting man and machine at the F.H. Stoltze Land & Lumber Company.
The exhibit will also feature handcrafted wood products from local artisans. The show opens with a reception on March 6 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., and will run at the museum through March 28. For more information, visit www.bigforkmuseum.org.