Young Helena-area art students from elementary, middle and high school will once again showcase their ambitious art work during Youth Electrum. Come and support the enthusiasm and creative talent of these emerging artists.

“There is something quite special about Montana artists, and nowhere is it more evident than at the Holter Art Auction. The auction exhibition reflects the great range and depth of Montana’s artist community . . . . The exhibition is a compelling statement about the beauty of our landscape, the diversity of artistic vision, and, ultimately, the experience of being human, in all its joy and mystery.”

In the series of photographs that comprises Traces, Montana’s Frontier Re-visited Richard Buswell brings together the elements of time, memory, Montana history and nature. More abstract than in previous series, this work takes a “micro” view at the inevitable march of time. Richard Buswell’s intimate, poetic approach of pulling images out of their original context offers a visual puzzle to solve.

Richard Buswell has been a fastidious collector of images since he dedicated himself to photography in the early1970s. He is a consummate printer who follows closely the exacting procedures first outlined by Ansel Adams in the1930s. Traces is a collaboration between the Holter Museum and Carroll College’s celebration of its centennial.

This photographic exhibition pairs historic photos of glaciers in Glacier National Park with contemporary images. The pairs have striking visual effect, showing obvious glacial recession and landscape change. USGS researcher/photographer Dan Fagre blends the science of climate change research and repeat photography comparison with the aesthetic of landscape photography. Glacier: Losing a Legacy coincides with the centennial of Glacier National Park that will be celebrated throughout Montana.

Do artists living together, breathing the same creative air, influence each other’s art? Or does the everyday give-and-take of shared experience create an artistic tension reflected in their work?

Montana is a haven for couples engaged in the act of making art. In Double Vision: Partners in Art, the Holter Museum will bring together the work of regional artist partners, and explore the influence on each other’s work, both individual and collaborative and across media. The exhibition will begin with the works of Frances Senska and Jessie Wilber and continue through to contemporary artists.

pARTy, a committee of young professionals, is changing to 3RD THURSDAY,  (formally known as The BUZZ.)  3RD THURSDAY is a new committee of art supporters of all ages on a mission to engage our community of art lovers of all ages!  3RD THURSDAY events are made possible by the generous support of local businesses, musicians and artists.

Art is in every aspect of our lives, day and night, while awake or in dream. The artist recognizes the influences, inspirations, and interactions with the world around him/her and creates from it. Each creation holds the spirit of the artist. The mugs, cups and bowls I offer are not empty. They are full of inspiration, joy and dedication. I am not capable of making pots out of frustration or anger. Angry pots crack or reject glaze. A clear mind and thoughtful concentration make the best pots. I am very proud and honored to be living my life as one who takes in the world and creates from it. I invite anyone to interact with my work and enjoy its function, and I will continue creating.”

MAGIC CARPETS: Tribal Sofras from Turkey

NANCY ERICKSON – WE HAVE ALWAYS LIVED TOGETHER: Selected Quilt Works 1998-2007

MARIE WATT – FORGET-ME-NOT: Mothers and Sons

FROM THE SPIRIT: Paintings by Kevin Red Star

I find I cannot copy nature; instead I need to play with the natural forms and color to create my own landscape. By doing this I believe I can express my true feelings and compliment nature rather than merely reproducing it. Trying to capture the subtle and harmonious relationships between the natural forms of the earth has proven to be my biggest challenge.

I start by concentrating on the abstract beauty of the landscape, moving and playing with just the shapes of trees, clouds, mountains, until there is some harmony. Then begins the layering of color. As the drawing develops I make little attempt to control the textures. Part of the excitement of working with the pastel is allowing the textures of trees or fields to create themselves; this keeps the piece a mystery to me until completion.

The chalk pastel becomes more diverse the longer I explore with them. working with 20 to 45 layers of color almost any variation of hue can be created, achieving extremely subtle changes to bold contrasts, yet, maintaining an overall harmony. Unlike painting, a chalk drawing cannot be drastically changed once your halfway through without destroying the paper. Saturation of the paper with pigment is a limitation, but is also a challenge that drives me to continue to use the pastel.

Like pastel drawings, I use a similar approach in oil painting to capture the interplay between light and abstract form. Starting first by finding a natural harmony to the shapes present and proceeding to layer colors.

Over the years the techniques I have described have evolved enough to express my personal “vision” of the world. Even though my landscapes are more of the mind they are directly influenced from my continual treks through the wilderness. Even here in Montana, the adulteration of the environment is becoming more prevalent. I hope the creations I present to you can inspire a sense of preservation, if not just to provoke an awareness.