Celebrate Montana art at Helena showcase and sale

New & Notable
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Textile creations by Kelly Bort are part of the Celebrate Montana Art showcase.

Gifted artists from across the state gather from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Colonial Red Lion Inn for Celebrate Montana Art, the fourth annual MAP Showcase and Sale. Admission is free.

Sixty-five artists who have completed, or are participating in, the Montana Arts Council’s Montana Artrepreneur Program (MAP) exhibit and sell artwork inspired by the rich landscape, diversity of spirit and eclectic life beneath the Big Sky. Just in time for holiday gift giving, discover the work of jewelers, painters, potters, sculptors, fiber artists, photographers and others, and learn about the processes they employ and the purpose behind their love of creating.

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Necklace by Ann Wilbert

Their creations include art quilts, fiber art and hand-woven work, leather, hand-pulled prints, hand-thrown porcelain and stoneware pottery, clay sculptures, art glass and stained glass, photography, watercolor, acrylic and oil paintings, and jewelry in silver, brass, copper and stone. There will be lamp-worked beads, fine woodwork including spinning wheels, pencil drawings, enameled adornment, and mixed media.

“For the public, it’s a chance to interact and invest in the truly remarkable artists in this program,” says Cindy Kittredge, MAC Market Development Specialist. “For artists, it’s a chance to network and learn from each other, and ‘test drive’ new artwork while implementing some of the marketing and business toools they’ve been developing.”

MAP was established several years ago by the Montana Arts Council to help artists gain business tools and learn to market their work. Since then, more than 300 artists have participated in, or completed the nationally recognized program.

In addition to the showcase, artists participate in the Montana Artists’ Gathering, a day of professional development workshops.

“It’s a really nice to have a mix of alum and current MAP artists because it makes the learning component so much richer,” says Kittredge.

For more information, visit 406-444-6430 or visit art.mt.gov.