Going To The Sun Gallery Presents,Artist, Jeff Manion For Gallery Nights September 1st! !

Born in Hartford, Ct. 1964. Jeff grew up with a love for fishing the outdoors and art. He attended Howell Cheney Techinical School in Manschester Ct., where he started his training as a machinist and toolmaker. Working in the trade for over 20 years Jeff pursued painting whenever he could, taking classes in painting from artist Beth Ellis, Jim Wilcox, Luke Frazier and Dave Wade. Along with study through many art books and painting on location.

In 2005, Jeff moved to the Flathead Valley in Montana to be closer to the wildlife, mountains and the western art world.

Jeff has participated in the 2003 "top 200" arts for the parks, the 2007/2009
Charlie Russell auction, The 2007
Bozeman Western Art Auction. The miniature auction at the Hockaday Museum, the annual 2003 plien aire paint out with the Hockaday Museum and the saddle up paint event with the Bigfork Museum of Art and History.

Stephen Isley Presents Colt Idol

Stephen Isley Presents the Art Work of Colt Idol, Thursday, September 1st from 6 PM to 9 PM.

This talented young artist, born and raised in the Flathead Valley, graduated from Whitefish High School in 2009. He studied and worked with his father, Dick Idol, who is a well-known sculptor and painter. Colt is currently attending Montana State University Art School in Bozeman.

Colt's oil paintings, on cotton and linen canvas, clearly show a natural sense of color and visual perception. Please join us for this Thursday's Gallery Night event to meet Colt and view his work.

Join Us!

Jena Ponti-"Idiomatic" at The Walking Man Frame Shop & Gallery

Please join us for our opening exhibit of "Idiomatic", featuring Whitefish artist, Jena Ponti. Jena will be sharing her whimsical, mixed media pieces inspired by various idioms. Above-Dust Bunny and Lipstick on a Pig!! Fine art and refreshments as part of Whitefish First Thursday Gallery Nights on September 1st, 6-9PM. For more information, call 406-863-ARTS.

Traci Staves & Matthew Springer Show at Stumptown Art Studio

Two artists are being featured for the September exhibition line-up at Stumptown Art Studio. The opening reception for Beads of the Art and Bare Spirits takes place on Thursday, September 1 from 6-9 p.m.

In Beads of the Art, jewelry artist Traci Staves translates her passion using seed beads and other mediums into works of art. "There is something so powerful about these tiny little objects," says Staves. "Their magic is spellbinding and it can take total controal of one's mind and soul. Ask any serious beadher and they will tell you it is a passion, an addiction, an obsession." She explains how she utilizes the three months of glorious inspiration all around to fuel her creative spirit for the next nine months of winter. Staves also loves teaching and sharing her love of creating and making beads with others. Beaded necklace by Traci Staves

Matthew Springer's Bare Spirits capture many of the activities and landscapes that inspire him by living in this corner of Montana. "There is something majestic in big mountainous silhouettes when the graduated layers slip into one another and the world becomes a vaguery of two-dimensional color," he says. "Black into blue. Yellow slipping behing a curtain. It is happy hour at its finest and the extended twilight periods in the Flathead are one of the reasons I love being here." To capture the spiritual rise of these moments, Springer has paired this series with depictions os "Raven" to encapsulate the appropriate energy of his artwork.



Oil painting by Matthew Springer

Stumptown Art Studio is a non-profit community art center in the heart of Whitefish, Montana. It was founded in 1995 to offer art opportunities for all ages and art interests including: classes, workshops, art camps, art parties, a clay cooperative, pottery painting, glass fusing and mosaic-making in the Ceramics Annex, art gift, retail art supplies and exhibits.

Exhibits hosted at Stumptown Art Studio feature guest artists, group displays, student works, new works and provide exhibit space for emerging artists. Each month during Whitefish First Thursday Gallery Night season from May through October, the work of a different artist is on display.

Open hours to view exhibits and take part in the many other art offerings are: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. Please check the web site at http://www.stumptownartstudio.org/ for continued updates.

Ethos Paris Presents...

This month Ethos is showcasing two artists ~ David Nielsen & Joseph Pesina.

Ceramic Artist Joseph Pesina is originally from Door County, Wisconsin (the "thumb" of the state!) Through the medium of Clay and Fire Joseph expresses what he sees and feels in nature. Pesina began his professional career in Wisconsin at the Peninsula Art School in Fish Creek. In 2009-2010 Joseph was the Artist in Residence at the Clay Studio of Missoula, he was also invited to and completed a Residency at The Pottery Workshop in Jindezhen, China in 2008. Along with his creative endevours, Joseph has also worked as a production potter for over 10 years in both Wisconsin and Montana. Joseph now lives, works and studies in Whitefish, Montana with his wife, Astrid.

David Nielsen is an abstract painter whose depictions of everyday scenes are cast through abstract eyes, giving his work a unique perspective and originality. David is a gratuate of the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. He is the receipent of the Mid-venture Award and was also given the opportunity to further his education, studying in Hamburg, Germany on a scholarship through Foreign Cultural Studies. In 2002, Nielsen was selected into the Peninsula Art School Emerging Artist Program in Fish Creek, Wisconsin, where he and Pesina worked together for the first time. David and his wife Laura currently call Madison, Wisconsin home.

This month these two artists come together again, showcasing their progress through the years. Join us for their opening reception during Whitefish Gallery Nights September 1st from 6-9 p.m. Ethos is located at 525 Railway Street.

September - Lisa Rideout - Horseshoe Nail Jewelry

The Purple Pomegranate, a fine craft specialty store, is featuring work by Whitefish jewelry artist, Lisa Rideout during the month of September. Searching for a change of lifestyle for she and her son, Lisa Rideout decide to move from her home in Kansas City, Missouri, to Montana about eight years ago. As she readied herself for this huge change, her cousin gave her a cross made out of horseshoe nails to hang on the car’s rearview mirror. It became the symbol of family, strength and hope for their new life as they came across country, through the Rockies to the Flathead Valley. That trip was a long one and the horseshoe nails that dangled from the mirror became a great source of inspiration to her as she found a new home and settled in Whitefish.

One day, about five years ago, she discovered a box of rusty horseshoe nails in a friends barn sale and she snapped them up in a second—establishing the first inventory for RideOut’s HideOut, the name of Lisa’s creative business. She made gifts for family and friends from the horseshoe nails, and then moved on to selling necklace designs with the other jewelry she created as a hobby. Today, Lisa’s wearable art has grown from men and women’s neckware, to bracelets, to children’s necklaces and accessories. Each horseshoe nail is hand-crafted to fit a specific design in her product line, with the more elaborate pieces including colored wiring and crystals for that extra bit of bling we all love to show off once in a while! Her designs continue to evolve and change as customers repeat her visits and as new people discover her work.

Meet Lisa during Whitefish Gallery Night, Thursday, September 1st, 2011 from 6-9 PM. Lisa’s work will be displayed during the opening and throughout the month of September.

Thursday August 4th Going To The Sun Gallery Presents Nick Oberling and Jennifer Li for galery nights

Nick Oberling Montana's landscape painter has been exhibited at the C. M. Russell Museum and is in the permanent collection of the Hockaday Museum of Art. He is a founding member of the Montana Painters Alliance. He has been a selected Quick Draw artist and participant at the C. M. Russell Museum's Auction of Western Art and the Montana Land Reliance and Treasure State Art Auctions. He has been Artist in Residence at Glacier National Park and the Helena National Forest. Nicholas Oberling was educated at Cornell University and studied painting under the atelier system at The Art Students League of New York for a decade. His biography is included in Who's Who in America.

Jennifer Li studied painting for twelve years at the Art Students League of New York under distinguished realist painters Harvey Dinnerstein and Frank Mason. She has been painting professionally since 1990.

The New York Times has described Jennifer Li's work as "straightforwardly beautiful" with an "an element of the weird". Her work has been noted for its imaginative and evocative content and for the high quality of her technique.

Her work has been featured at the Holter Museum in Helena, Montana, the John Pence Gallery in San Francisco, the Union League Club in New York, and the Hockaday Museum of Art in Kalispell, Montana.

Marylou Patterson-E3: encaustic, expressions & explorations at The Walking Man Frame Shop & Gallery

Please join us for an evening of fine art, refreshments & live music, Thursday, August 4th, 6-9PM as part of Whitefish Gallery Nights! Presenting Marylou Patterson!

Marylou grew up in Illinois, raised four children in Texas and now lives in the Flathead Valley of Montana. She used her creative talents and interest in education, teaching art in elementary schools and community programs. She now has Trail Marker Studio where she creates her E 3 works in wax and mixed media.

"I love color and texture
and playing through art.
Manipulating handmade papers,
ephemera , threads and yarns
and random found objects
gives me moments of wonder to create images.
My formula, E 3, encaustic, expressions and explorations
allow me to manipulate pieces for the viewer
to have simple thoughts, celebrations of life and memories, new and old."

Marylou Patterson-Trail Marker Studio

August 4 Gallery Night - JOHN ASHLEY: CURIOUS BY NATURE

The exceptional photographs of John Ashley will be featured at Stumptown Art Studio from August 4 through August 30, 2011. Curious by Nature combines two of Ashley's passions--photography and conservation--in the form of fine art photography. His images remind you of the natural beauty and humor of wild places and wild critters.

(pictured above: "Leap of Faith" by John Ashley)

Ashley earned a biology degree from the University of Montana, and became an award-winning photojournalist at newspapers in Florida and Montana. By 1982, he was ranked by the National Press Photographers' Association as one of the top three photojournalists in the Southeastern United States. Along his path, John worked as a biologist for many years--mostly with the National Park Service--working to conserve California Condors, Bald Eagles and his favorite, Harlequin Ducks.

Stumptown Art Studio is a non-profit community art center in the heart of Whitefish, Montana. It was founded in 1995 to offer art opportunities for all ages and art interests including: classes, workshops, art camps, art parties, a clay cooperative, pottery painting, glass fusing and mosaic making in the Ceramics Annex, art gifts, retail art supplies and exhibits.

Exhibits hosted at Stumptown Art Studio feature guest artists, group displays, student work, new works and provide exhibit space for emerging artists. Each month during the Whitefish First Thursday Gallery Night season from May through October, the work of a different artist is on display.

Open hours to view exhibits and take part in the many other art offerings are: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m and Sundays, noon to 5 p.m. Please check the web site at http://www.stumptownartstudio.org/ for continued updates.

Stephen Isley Jewelry Presents Michael Sterling Bryant

"My inspiration comes from the creatures as I see them in my mind's eye."

Stephen Isley will present Michael Sterling Bryant, wood sculptor and wildlife artist. The reception will be held Thursday, August 4th from 6PM to 9PM as part of Whitefish's "First Thursdays Gallery Nights."

Michael is an internationally acclaimed and award winning artist. The uniqueness in his work is the cummulative result of many years of experience, skill and knowledge. The artist has mastered the anatomy of birds, mammals and fish.

During the past six years Michael has been honored with numerous First Place Awards throughout the United States and Canada.

Please join us. Meeting Michael will be the highlight of your evening.

From The Fields - August - The Purple Pomegranate

The Purple Pomegranate, a fine craft specialty store, is featuring works by three Flathead Valley fiber artist during the month of August. Carole Moseley, Sally Kimmel Glutting and Becky Pallies-Jacobsen will have a group show entitled 'From the Fields'.

Carole feels that nature is a marvelous evolution with its beauty, surrounding us with every shape and color imaginable. She feels her pieces are a learning process, what makes her happy and what are pleasing to the eye. Different techniques are used to make this happen. Fibers of many types are the source of Carole's process. She especially enjoys using natural fiber for her base design and then using man made fibers for detail. She uses a combination of stitching, beading and computer generated fibers, different techniques to add texture and details.

Sally's interpretation of the theme was to think about green. To think about the meanings of green, the heart chakra, color of hope and renewal. Sally talks about her work "I like to create pieces that make me smile; pieces that invitee you to look closer, read the little messages and enjoy the details. These pieces are inspired by nature, labyrinths, social awareness, and of course, humor. I like to experiment with texture. Techniques include use of fiber, beads, wire and photography as well as fabric to capture ideas."

Becky considered "From the Fields" which set her mind to wandering through fields of flowers, berries, oil and ice and finally led her to a central theme of "contrast." She found her contrast in both color and texture. Experimenting with different techniques this year has encouraged the pieces that Becky will be sharing in the show.

Meet Carole, Sally and Becky during Whitefish Gallery Night, Thursday, August 2nd, 2011 from 6-9 PM. Their work will be displayed during the opening and throughout the month of August

Ethos Paris Presents

Opening Reception Tonight

July 7th from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Ethos is located on Railway across from Depot Park

Rob Akey Featured Artist

July 7th Gallery Nights, Going To The Sun Gallery is proud to feature Rob Akey Whitefish Montana artist. From majestic Glacier peaks to the open eastern prairie, his oil paintings evoke empirical truth, beauty and spiritual qualities that define a sense of place and surpass simple protrayal.

A graduate of Minneapolis College of Art and Design and former Creative Director for Tonka Toys, Rob also teaches painting at Flathead Valley Community College and was voted 2008 Best Local Artist in the Flathead Valley (Daily Inter Lake).

Rink Davis-A Celebration of Life at The Walking Man Frame Shop & Gallery

Please join us Thursday, July 7th, 6-9PM for an exhibit with Montana Sculptor, Rink Davis. "A Celebration of Life" will be featuring ceramics & bronzes from 1960s-present work. Come meet the artist, enjoy fine art, refreshments & music!!

Rink Davis was raised in Portland, Oregon. At the age of 13 he moved to a ranch on the Montana/Wyoming state line. The self-taught artist was sculpting by the age of 20. At the urging of a college art professor, he kept at it. He began to enter juried shows, capturing Best of Sculpture and Best of Show awards. He turned pro in hes early 30's and shortly thereafter was offered the opportunity to study at the American Academy of Rome. But with a wife and three children, he decided against it. The rewards still cam. Concentrating on what surrounded him, the environment and Indian culture, he continued to sculpt. He was included in the first "Crafts of America" show at the Baltimore Museum of Arts. His works are now in corporate and private collections. Presently , his work can be seen at 103 Rolling Green Place, Missoula, Montana or The Walking Man Frame Shop & Gallery in Whitefish, Montana.

"Some critics have described art as the highest level of expression of an age. My inspiration comes through my belief in the reverence for life given to us by our creator, finding its fullest expression in love for one another and its fulfillment in the family. The thread of love that weaves itself through these relationships is what I try to capture. My intuitive nature is captured in the medium that I work in, whether it be clay, wood, welded steel or bronze. I have gone from a figurative expression to total abstraction and then back to the figurative using the chosen medium to dictate the symbols or shapes and their relationship to each other to make unusual creations. In 55 years of sculpting, I have chosen to communication my vision of life with all its changing complexities and subtleties as a celebration of where I live and learn."

Rink Davis