Page 39 - Flathead Beacon // 5.18.16

THE MARQUEE
WHAT TO READ, SEE AND APPRECIATE
BOOK SIGNING WITH CHILDREN’S AUTHOR BERNICE SEWARD
Meet children’s author Bernice Seward at The Bookshelf in Kalis- pell on Friday, May 20, and join in a fun, interactive story time to dis- cover what real-life experience with a Flathead Valley resident inspired the book. The rst 25 attendees get a free jumping frog (of the plastic variety so you don’t have to worry too much about where it hops o to).
The book signing will be from 4:00 pm to 5:30 p.m, with story time at 4:45 p.m.
Seward was born in White sh.
Her family moved around the Inland
Northwest a number of times and
ended up in Moyie Springs, Idaho just before she started eighth grade. She graduated from Bonners Ferry High School in 1993. Sewaed then attended the University of Idaho and achieved a B.A. in English with a creative writing emphasis.
She currently lives in northern Idaho with her husband Barry, their three children, two dogs and a cat.
Have a gallery opening? Just published a new book or album? If you would like to be featured in the “Marquee,” email information to news@ atheadbeacon.com
of Shepherd’s talents – baking – was on display with the two cakes she made that looked like clocks.
“She was just so proud and so happy,” Homer said. “People have come in spe- ci cally to see the exhibition.”
Since she becomes connected to many of her paintings as she makes them, Shepherd wasn’t initially sure she wanted to sell them, though any proceeds would go to the Lighthouse. But Homer said the decision to sell came through, and one has already sold.
“One of our goals is to do many more community collaboration projects, so we’re especially thrilled to partner with the Lighthouse,” Homer said. “I just couldn’t be happier. She was a great one to be the rst person to be featured that way.”
Shepherd, now 32, grew up in Dupuyer, a tiny ranching community just outside of the Blackfeet Reserva- tion east of the divide. She can tell you the purpose of any number of farming implements, and also packs a few crack- ing jokes about agricultural life (“Why do cows wear bells? Because their horns don’t work”).
Going to high school in the nearby town of Valier posed challenges for Shepherd, who was bullied for being di erent. But it was there she discov- ered her art, and a world of potential began opening up.
“When I was in school, I didn’t even know all the talent I had in me,” she said. “I learned that getting mad about
people bullying me only made me feel bad.”
Thinking about it now, Shepherd feels sadness for the people who hurt her feelings and bullied her back then.
“What you are is what you are. I’m considered a happy person. The kids who bullied me then were unhappy,” she said.
Moving to Lighthouse in 2006 was a big change for Shepherd, but it was also a chance to branch out. She’s involved with Special Olympics, and is quite talented at the ute, piccolo, and recorders. The cake she styled to look like a giant cheeseburger won the cov- eted Best in Show ribbon at last year’s Northwest Montana Fair.
Seeing her work on exhibit at the BACC was another of these important momentsofsuccess.
“I was so proud,” Shepherd said. “It was fun. I thought it would never happen.”
On the table lies a large, empty can- vas that Shepherd’s mom sent to her. Her family is very involved in her life, and like to send her art supplies. With that big of a space to ll, Shepherd said she’s going to try out painting a bison.
When asked which type of clock she likes, Shepherd’s answer also illumi- nated the reason why her work is an important piece of the valley’s artistic community.
“I like all clocks because they’re all di erent,” she said.
mpriddy@ atheadbeacon.com
22NDANNUAL OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, May 21st • 3pm to 6pm Sunday, May 22nd • 10am to 5pm
Regular hours:
Mon-Fri 9-6pm • Sat 3-6pm • Sun 10-4pm
MAY 18, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM
39
Organic
Live Music!
Lee Zimmerman - Sat. Afternoon
Tropical Montana Marimba Ensemble - Sun. 11am
FREE PLANTS!
Kalispell and White sh Pickup Spots