Diane Whitehead at last year's Alpine Artisan tour in Ovando Museum
The Alpine Artisans’ annual self-guided Tour of the Arts takes visitors to see more than 25 artists in four artist studios, two galleries and three historical museums in Seeley Lake, Condon and Ovando. The tour, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 8-9, is held annually in mid-October to showcase the Western Tamaracks as they turn a bright yellow and orange, illuminating the natural beauty of the Seeley, Swan and Blackfoot valleys.
The Tour of the Arts offers an opportunity to visit artists in their studios, and see them immersed in their work. Visitors will learn firsthand about their art and hear the stories behind their creations.
The tour continues the organization’s collaboration with three local historical museums, which feature 13 of the artists: Condon’s Upper Swan Valley Historical Museum, Seeley Lake’s Historical Museum and Ovando’s Brand Bar Museum. Each is housed in a fascinating historical building, enabling visitors to absorb local lore and stories side-by-side with the techniques and perspectives of artists.
The tour includes a free screening of the popular 90-minute film, “Unbranded,” 7 p.m. Saturday at the Seeley Lake Community Hall. The film tells the story of four young Texans who adopt, train and ride wild mustangs 3,000 miles from the Mexican border to Canada.
Tour maps are available online, or in Seeley Lake at the Grizzly Claw Trading Post and the Seeley Lake Visitor’s Center or in Condon at Grace’s Gallery; call 754-0034 or visit www.alpineartisans.org.