ArtWalk Billings offers bouquet of fresh art

24th season opens April 6 with largest number of season members, plus three one-time participants

Art Beat
Spring ArtWalk: "Under the Spring Moon"
“Under the Spring Moon” by Diane Teske Harris, whose work is on display at Toucan Gallery.Photo © Diane Teske Harris

ArtWalk Downtown Billings welcomes spring’s arrival with the opening of its 24th season on Friday, April 6, from 5-9 p.m. The 24th season includes six ArtWalk events, up from the traditional five, slated for the first Fridays of June, August, October and December 2018 and February 2019.

This year’s roster boasts 31 season members who will be open for all six ArtWalk events – the largest number in ArtWalk’s history. Season members include art galleries, studios, museums, a downtown church and other “art-worthy” venues that host artists to celebrate the eclectic, creative spirit alive in downtown Billings.

George Kelting, ArtWalk’s docent, will answer questions and give directions on the sidewalk outside the Downtown Billings Alliance, 2815 2nd Ave. North from 5-7:30 p.m. ArtWalk maps are available at all participating locations and www.artwalkbillings.com. Gallery notes are on the ArtWalk Facebook page and the website.

Three one-time participants are in the April line-up:

  • Free Spirit Rock School Band returns to Hooligan’s, 113 North Broadway;
  • “Nature’s Essence” features work by Nikki Shiva and other artists at LimberTree Yoga Studio, 212 North 29th Street; and
  • Cassie Crafton Kramer and 509 Square Feet Pottery set up their vintage Shasta trailer showroom at 2315 Montana Ave., between The Rex and NOVA.

A sampling of regular participants includes:

ART 2905 (Montana Avenue): Jodi Lightner’s MSUB Advanced Sculpture and Advanced Drawing students explore the dynamics between space and line in “Activating Space: 2018.”

Barjons, 223 North 29th Street: Returning artist Chery Ehresman works in three mediums, photography, mixed media and semi-precious stone jewelry, in “The Goddess Collection.”

Black Dagger Tattoo, 2914 First Avenue North: Shop makes its ArtWalk debut with selections from resident artists Seth White, Sean Sapone and Ranen Royer. The exhibit, influenced by Americana imagery and Folk Art, pays homage to the history and traditions of tattooing as an art form.

Clark Marten Photography, 2606 Montana Ave.: Photographer Jamie Walters, owner of CJ Creative and Consulting, grew up on an Iowa farm, and finds that her midwestern upbringing often sneaks into her art.

Downtown Billings Alliance (DBA), 2815 2nd Ave. North: The lively, multi-faceted 604 Group returns with their fourth exhibit, featuring Brownie Snyder, Susan Stone, Scotta Anderson, Carol Welch, Carrie Sharp and Julie Peterson.

First Congregational Church UCC, 310 North 27th St.: Artist Beth Huhtala works with watercolors that explore children’s stories, fables and memories. Food, beverages and music are on tap.

Gallery Nine – Connie Dillon Fine Art, 2511 Montana Ave. #9: The April ArtWalk theme is “Flow,” celebrating Montana’s powerful and rejuvenating rivers and streams.

Global Village, 2720 3rd Ave, N.: Photographer Mike Downing returns. “I love life and experiencing things I find so beautifully extraordinary,” he says. “There are visages that make me catch my breath.”

Harry Koyama Fine Art, 2509 Montana Ave.: Vivid impressionist paintings are on display in a gallery adjacent to Koyama’s working studio.

Kennedy’s Stained Glass, 2923 2nd Ave. N.: Check out “Marilyn,” a stunning art glass piece created with fusing, slumping and mosaic techniques by resident artists Susan Sommerfeld and Sherina McIntyre.

Mann Mortgage, 2511 Montana Ave.: Guest artist Robert Tompkins is a highly regarded impressionist painter.

Montana Gallery, 2710 Second Ave. North: Tyler Murphy shows plein aire paintings that feature Montana winter landscapes replete with sagebrush, cows and haystacks in “Back Roads.”

McCormick Cafe, 2419 Montana Ave.: Billings Senior High art teacher Kim Jette shares her impressions of real and imaginary worlds.

Real Deals, 2525 Minnesota Ave.: Local artist Beau Malia transforms old and rusty material into metal sculpture, wall art and custom furniture.

Sandstone Gallery, 2913 2nd Ave. North: Billings’ only artist co-op presents new floral works by Lana Bittner created with watercolor, ink and alcohol, oils by Louise Payovich and new photography by guest artist Phil Bell.

Stapleton Gallery, 104 North Broadway, Suite 204: A special installation of work curated by Jennifer Eli French, titled “The Darkest Light,” includes work by 14 artists including French.

Stephen Haraden Studio, 2911 2nd Ave. North #235: The artist shows new works and works in progress.

Terakedis Fine Art and Jewelry, 112 N. Broadway: Lori Blaylock (Billings) specializes in unique, wearable art pieces and Jim Hagstrom (Cody, Wyo.) shares paintings of Wyoming landscapes.

Toucan Gallery, 2505 Montana Ave.:, Three artists joyously express spring: painter Diane Harris, jewelry-maker Maria Gotta, and painter Kelsey McDonnell, who has added to her series, “Four Years of Flowers.” Yellowstone Art Museum, 401 North 27th St.: Three new exhibits are up: “Rough and Tumble, Smoke and Rope,” a multi-media event celebrating ranch life in Yellowstone County; “Nature’s Cadence,” an exhibit of work by Clyde Aspevig, Montana’s celebrated Montana landscape artist; and “Quiet Harmonies,” a special showing of landscapes by Emil Carlsen.

All ArtWalk events are free and family-friendly and go on regardless of inclement weather. Downtown on-street metered parking is free and parking garage rates vary.

The next scheduled ArtWalk is 5-8 p.m. Friday, June 1.