Kalispell’s Hockaday Museum of Art has a busy November planned, with an upcoming exhibit featuring the artistic talents of the museum’s own members and a fundraising gala featuring several prominent local artists.
The Hockaday’s ninth annual Members Salon and Exhibition gives the museum’s members a chance to get their own art up on the walls, according to Brian Eklund of the Hockaday. This year’s exhibition is expected to include works in various media from over 100 members.
The exhibit opens on Nov. 5 and has a Nov. 11 reception that is free and open to the public. Art forms will include sculpture, pottery, textile, photography, jewelry, oil painting, watercolors, acrylic paintings and dye on silk.
As a member of the Hockaday for about four years, Gretchen Finch said she likes to enter her watercolor paintings in the show because part of being an artist is having a conversation with the viewer.
“You don’t want your painting to just sit in the closet in your house all the time,” Finch said. “You want it out there where somebody is going to see it. Art is communication; it’s a way of communicating what’s in your heart out to other people.”
Seasoned exhibit viewers might spot a trend in Finch’s works, since they largely portray ranching scenes or the ranching lifestyle. Her inspiration comes from a cattle ranch near Dillon where her son works.
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Artist Jeff Manion, oil, titled “UM-NUM-NUM” |
Her entry for this year’s show, titled “Whistling for the Dogs,” shows a rancher and his wife doing exactly that while the horses look on.
The members’ show also provides local artists with a chance to get some exposure regardless of experience level, since it is a non-juried show.
As an artist, Finch said one of the biggest pulls to paint comes from the knowledge that she needs both “bread” and beauty to survive, and having her art in a show offers a chance to share some beauty with other valley residents.
“That’s one reason I paint,” Finch said. “I know I need it, and I think other people do too.”
Jeff Manion, a self-taught oil painter, also plans on participating in the members’ exhibit as he has for the past four or five years. His work this year is entitled, “UM-NUM-NUM,” and shows a hungry grizzly snagging a salmon from the water.
As a painter who loves the outdoors and wildlife, Manion creates his art both in the studio and out in the open air. He typically goes with other members of the valley’s artist community to paint outside, Manion said.
“It’s just a real strong gravitation, desire to portray this,” Manion said. “I don’t think I could give it up if I wanted to.”
Manion touted the wide range of artistic experience available at the upcoming show, noting that most artists are excited to have somewhere public to show their work. The Hockaday’s exhibit is a good place to do it, he said.
“As an artist, you’re always looking for a place to hang your work,” Manion said. “(The Hockaday) always has a good opening night, it brings a lot of people out.”
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Left: Artist Margaret Graziano, oil, titled “Fiesta” Right: Artist Lois Sturgis, watercolor, titled “Shooting Stars” |
The show also has three People’s Choice Awards, given to the art pieces that garner the most votes from the public. Winners receive cash prizes and art supplies. Voting is open through Dec. 1.
Eklund noted that many pieces of art in the exhibit will be for sale at fixed prices, with the proceeds benefitting the museum.
The Hockaday will also host its fourth annual Artists in the Garden Gala on Nov. 6 at the Hilton Garden Inn. Proceeds from this event go toward the museum.
Participants can expect an evening of art, dining, dancing and music, as well as a quick finish demonstration from nine well-known Montana artists.
These artists include Nancy Dunlop Cawdrey, Tom English, Tom Gilleon, Karen Leigh, Jennifer Li, Nicholas Oberling, Mark Ogle, Tara Moore, Tom Saubert, Laurie Stevens and Janet Sullivan.
The resulting work of the quick finish demonstration will be auctioned off during the live auction portion of the evening. The Community Mosaic Project, which consists of 300 pieces created by Flathead Valley residents, will also be sold off in the live auction.
A silent auction will be ongoing throughout the evening, and local favorite Cocinando Latin Jazz Ensemble will provide the music.
Tickets for the gala benefit are limited and they cost $90 for Hockaday members and $100 for non-members. A table of eight can be reserved for $650.
For more information on the Members Salon or the Artists in the Garden Gala, visit www.hockadaymuseum.org or call 755-5268. For more information on Gretchen Finch, visit www.gretchenfinch.com.