Arts in the bitterroot 2016

arts

in the Bitterroot

octoBer 2016

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arts

in this issue

in the Bitterroot

Hamilton artist takes next step............................................4 Bitterroot Performing Arts Council offers flex packages...8 New leadership of BPAC....................................................12

every Friday Dine around features local producers..............................18 in the Book culture: give it a try...................................................20 Ravalli Republic Daredevil dancers teach UM Masters class......................14

Second chances for artrepreneurs....................................22

out the Entertainment Tim Fain & Simone Dinnerstein.Check ........................................24 Connection in the Ravalli

Touching the surface at Ravalli Republic County Museum.............25 every Friday for local events and arts features.

Arts in the Bitterroot is published by the Ravalli Republic Newspaper, a division of Lee Enterprises.

Mark Heintzelman, Publisher Kathy Best, Editor • Perry Backus, Associate Editor Jodi Lopez, Advertising Sales Manager Kathy Kelleher, Jodi Lopez, Lauren Ford, Advertising Sales Dara Saltzman, Production & Design Arts in the Bitterroot is copyright 2016, Ravalli Republic.

It’s about you!

232 W. Main, Hamilton 406-363-3300 ravallirepublic.com

232 W Main, Hamilton, MT 59840 ravallirepublic.com

Page 4 - Arts in the Bitterroot, October 30, 2016

MICHELLE MCCONNAHA-Ravalli Republic

Karen Savory is taking a big step by working with Meissenburg Design Foundry in Big Fork that makes large wood and metal signs of her artwork that will sell nationally.

Hamilton artist takes next step by going big and bright with “super cool” signs Michelle McConnaha Ravalli Republic

Hamilton artist Karen Savory is taking a big step with her creative painting and designs.

Savory is working with Meissenburg Design Foundry in Big Fork that makes large wood and

metal signs of her artwork.

“They are turning my art into these super, super cool signs,” Savory said. “I was so excited when I picked these up, the originals were 12 by 12, and they blew the work up. It is so exciting.”

The metal signs are waterproof and the wood ones can be outside under shelter, protected

Arts in the Bitterroot, October 30, 2016 - Page 5

from water. Meissenburg is using locally sourced materials and providing great jobs for that part of the state.

“A huge reason I decided to do this with their company is because it is affordable art,” she said.

The signs are made in Montana and will be sold nationally.

Savory credits her recent increase success to the Montana Artrepeneur Program that teaches artists business skills.

“I was making art before and I was selling a little bit but I had no idea what I was doing,” Savory said. “I’m so much better now.”

Savory’s watercolor on canvas is very expressive and uniquely her design.

“My bright and playful watercolor paintings celebrate nature as the aspen trees dance before me, the coyotes sing, and the wind whispers secrets in my ears,” Savory said. “Come take a walks with me. Explore nature’s curiosities, imagine a world healthy while and whole; look listen and discover for yourself.”

Savory said the bright intense colors come from the liquid paint she uses.

“It is super-bright, which I like,” she said. “It works good on canvas but it also stains more so it is harder to get it off of the canvas. These [paints] look unnatural on paper.”

Savory said she took a class from a Missoula artist to do watercolor on canvas.

“I saw her work and it was super bright which is my kind of thing,” Savory said. “She was the

first one I’d ever heard of doing that process.”

Savory said the advantage is that after the painting is complete she sprays it with an archival varnish allowing the painting to be handled like an oil painting with no glass over the art.

“Just hang it up on the wall, no glass glare, or cost of framing,” she said.

Savory worked as a physical therapist for many years because her dad said she MICHELLE MCCONNAHA-Ravalli Republic needed a real job. She said she is now lucky enough to work as an artist full time.

Savory said her art feeds her soul and expresses the joy she feels when wandering the mountainsides surrounding her Montana log cabin.

“I never need to go anywhere to get inspiration,” she said. “I just walk out my front door and take my favorite little walks that I do. Nature is everywhere, a black bear wandered through last night, there are whitetails and there used to be elk here.”

Her home is near the forest and away from the noise of traffic.

“It is super quiet,” Savory said. “It is close enough to town to ride your bike but far enough away to be away.”

Savory loves wilderness.

“I live here because when I look at the map there’s a huge green splotch right next to us,” she said. “We live next to the largest wilderness in the lower 48, that’s important to me. I

Page 6 - Arts in the Bitterroot, October 30, 2016

MICHELLE MCCONNAHA-Ravalli Republic

hope with my paintings with the words around the edges that people will read those and get inspired and want to protect the beautiful place that we have here.”

Savory collaborated on an “Ode to Wilderness” project with Hannah Spencer Fast on the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act, giving 75 percent of the profits of the sales to support wilderness and wilderness ethics; Friends of the Clearwater, Selway-Bitterroot Foundation and The Wilderness Institute.

“It was pretty cool and we still have cards,” she said.

Last year the Bitter Root Land Trust commissioned a set of Savory’s cards that are available in their office and 100 percent of all sales remain

with the nonprofit land conservation organization.

Locally, Savory’s art is available through Art Focus, the Bitterroot National Forest Supervisor’s Office, The Boxxe Shopee and Bitter Root Land Trust in Hamilton or by contacting her directly.

Around Montana look for her work at Persimmon Gallery in Big Fork, Birds & Beasleys in Helena, Browsing Bison Books in Deer Lodge, Rockin’ Rudy’s and The Jeanette Rankin Peace Center in Missoula. Beyond Montana, her work is available at Cellar Door Books in Riverside, CA, Auntie’s Bookstore in Spokane, WA, and Future Generations: Yellowstone Gifts in Yellowstone National Park. Savory said she

Arts in the Bitterroot, October 30, 2016 - Page 7

MICHELLE MCCONNAHA-Ravalli Republic

hopes to have an Etsy site up before Christmas.

Savory has chosen not to travel to many art shows, preferring the quiet solitude of the wilderness in her backyard.

“I’ve chosen to go this route where my work goes to shows for me,” she said. “I obviously

make less money but I don’t have the headaches and am not gone every weekend. I hope it works out.”

For more information, visit online simplysavoryart.com and oldwoodsigns.com.

Page 8 - Arts in the Bitterroot, October 30, 2016

PHOTO PROVIDED

Athletic dance troupe Diavolo performed in October as part of the Bitterroot Performing Arts 13th season.

Bitterroot Performing Arts Council offers flex packages by

Stacie Duce

for the

Ravalli Republic

In its 13th year, the Bitterroot Performing Arts Council has already presented two of its six performances of the season. But it’s not too late to subscribe with a flex package.

“We’ve responded to some of our former subscribers who didn’t or couldn’t re-subscribe to the whole series because they had a conflict with a date or two,” BPAC Board President Peggy Tonon said.

“Now, we offer this flex package where people can choose four of the six shows to attend. That allows them to secure their favorite seats and also secure the date on their calendars. I know for me, if I PHOTO PROVIDED didn’t subscribe, I would have missed out on some incredible perBitterroot Performing Arts Council formances over the years.”

Board President Peggy Tonon.

Tonon said the 2016-17 series “brings an eclectic mix of artists to

Arts in the Bitterroot, October 30, 2016 - Page 9

It’s more than

a new studio.

PHOTO PROVIDED

The Reduced Shakespeare Company presented “The History of America: Election Edition” to kick off the season in September 2016.

our valley – from comedy to dance to classical and singer-songwriters and so much more. It truly has something for all.”

In September, the series kicked off with an intellectual vaudeville comedy show by The Reduced Shakespeare Company. In October, an athletic dance troupe Diavolo Dance Theater performed in Hamilton as well as provided an outreach dance clinic to University of Montana dancers. Four shows remain this season.

They include: • On Nov. 4, the Bitterroot Performing Arts Council offers a fusion of classical, yet youthful,

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Page 10 - Arts in the Bitterroot, October 30, 2016

PHOTO PROVIDED

Internationally acclaimed violinist Tim Fain lives locally and performs all over the world.

violin and piano performance. Internationally acclaimed in their own right, violinist Tim Fain and pianist Simone Dinnerstein will come together as a duo to present “First Loves to Fresh Ink.” “Many Bitterrooters have waited for an opportunity to see Tim Fain perform on stage,” Tonon said. “He lives locally but performs internationally and is well-known for his technical skill and performance in the movie ‘Black Swan’ and ‘Twelve Years a Slave’ so this will be a treat for all of us.”

• On February 3, the young virtuoso mandolin player, Sierra Hull, will take the stage. Since the age of 11, she has been astonishing audiences around the world. The genre-leaping banjo master, Bela Fleck produced Hull’s album “Weighted Mind” and has said, “She plays the mandolin with

a degree of refined elegance and now her vocals and songwriting have matured to the level of her virtuosity.”

• The fifth show in the series will be a highenergy performance by Davina and The Vagabonds on March 31. The group claims a wide range of influential artists including Fats Domino, Aretha Franklin and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and represents 100 years of American music as well as original songs in their edgy yet nostalgic show.

• The series will wrap with a solo performance

by Grammy-nominated performer and recording artist Darrell Scott. A highly-demanded multi-instrumentalist, he performs with a variety of groups including Robert Plant’s Band of Joy,

Arts in the Bitterroot, October 30, 2016 - Page 11

but will bring his talent to shine in the spotlight on Hamilton’s stage on April 29.

“We are also offering single tickets to any of these shows,” Tonon said. “That’s new this year. We want our patrons to plan ahead and not miss out on a favorite show, so they can buy tickets now for any of the remaining performances.”

For more information on the series or to subscribe, call 406.363.7956. The BPAC Box Office is located at 127 West Main Street in Signal Square in Hamilton and open Tuesdays through Fridays. Also check out their social media announcements on Facebook and their website at www.bitterrootperformingarts.org.

photos provided

Above, Sierra Hull, a virtuoso mandolin player, takes the stage February 3, 2017 Above right, Davina of Davina and the Vagabonds represents 100 years of American music March 31st, 2017.

Right, the series ends with Grammy-nominated performer Darrel Scott on April 29th, 2017.

Page 12 - Arts in the Bitterroot, October 30, 2016

New dynamic duo leads the Bitterroot Performing Arts Council box office by

Stacie Duce

for the

Ravalli Republic

The Bitterroot Performing Arts Council welcomed a new executive director last summer and has recently hired a new community outreach coordinator.

Laurie Ruffner replaced the founding executive director, Monica Grable, who served since the inception of the performance programming 13

years ago.

“Monica is a visionary and is beloved by the community and our sponsors, so it has been an honor to follow in her footsteps,” Ruffner said.

“What she, the board, the supporters and so many volunteers have built is incredible.”

Ruffner moved to Montana permanently after more than 20 years in the Seattle area with a career in executive and leadership development.

Arts in the Bitterroot, October 30, 2016 - Page 13

Her family originates from Whitefish and she was Bitterroot Performing Arts non-profit organization. thrilled for the opportunity to “come home for VanDenburg and her husband are raising their good in 2014,” she said. family in Hamilton and have been small business Several times, she and her husband traveled owners as well as dedicated patrons of the arts from Seattle to attend perlocally and abroad. formances at the Performing “It has been wonderArts Center in Hamilton and ful to see how much this coincided the trip with a stay organization has grown at their off-the-grid cabin up and strengthened over Rock Creek. the years and has become “Even with snow on the an invaluable asset in ground, we would come the Bitterroot Valley,” over, attend a performance VanDenburg said. and then chain up all fours Ruffner said the two on our vehicle to drive the 20 work well together and miles up Rock Creek Road have accomplished much and extend our stay for a in a short amount of time week or two,” she said. during the busiest time of “It’s been an honor to the year for the box office. accept the role of executive “I’m delighted by how director for the BPAC and PHOTO PROVIDED well and how quickly continue the legacy of grow- Laurie Ruffner, Executive Director Jacque has adapted to her ing a strong arts community new role and has accomthat Monica so lovingly plished so much in a short started,” she said. amount of time during the This month, Ruffner is busiest time of the year assisted by a new commufor the box office,” Ruffner nity outreach coordinator, said. “Her ‘can do and Jacqueline VanDenburg. She what can I do?’ attitude replaces Charlotte Powell demonstrates her strong who recently moved to work ethic and commitBozeman. ment to our ongoing “Jacque has so much vision and mission to serve experience in the world of our patrons and commuperforming arts,” Ruffner nity. said. “We are thrilled to have “Jacque’s business acuher talents and abilities move men and strong interest in the mission of the series formarketing will help keep ward.” our momentum moving VanDenburg served on a forward and our progress committee with Grable when shift into high gear,” she the Bitterroot Performing said.

Arts Council was in its infancy.

She also gleaned significant PHOTO PROVIDED experience during a 10-year Jacque VanDenburg, Community Outreach Coorperiod of growing the Ballet dinator

Page 14 - Arts in the Bitterroot, October 30, 2016

William Munoz

Leandro Damasco, a dancer and choreographer with Diavolo, demonstrated the technique of being a flier during the master’s class. All students, irregardless of size, trusted their fellow dancer’s strength and also successfully tried flying.

Daredevil dancers teach UM master’s class as part of a community outreach by

Stacie Duce

for the

Ravalli Republic

Los Angeles-based Diavolo Dance Company directed a Master’s dance class at the University of Montana recently instructing 24 student

dancers on its unique brand of dance and athleticism with an inspirational focus on unity, trust and empowerment.

“Welcome to the world of Diavolo,” Chisa Yamaguchi said as an introduction to the class.

Arts in the Bitterroot, October 30, 2016 - Page 15

William Munoz

University of Montana dance student Tiki Preston participated in one of the movement exercises.

“We are a non-traditional modern dance troupe that is very much a part of that world. Our style elevates technique and strength and requires fierce trust and teamwork in everything we do.”

Yamaguchi is originally from the San Francisco Bay area and graduated from UCLA with two degrees. She has been with Diavolo for eight touring seasons and is currently pioneering the position of marketing director. Her teaching credits include international residencies as well as being adjunct dance faculty at California

State University, Los Angeles.

She and the 12 other dancers in Diavolo performed “Volo – Architecture in Motion” as part of the Bitterroot Performing Arts Series in Hamilton early this month to a sold-out audience.

“It’s part of our mission statement to provide educational outreach with the artists we host,” BPAC Executive Director Laurie Ruffner said.

“We knew the professionalism and unique style of Diavolo would be worthy of a master’s class at

Page 16 - Arts in the Bitterroot, October 30, 2016

William Munoz

Two dozen Univerisity of Montana dance students participated in a master’s class with professional dancers from Diavolo during a master’s workshop on Friday, Oct. 14.

the university.”

Nicole Bradley Browning, Head of the Dance Program at the University of Montana said after the class in which she participated as well, “I feel so incredibly grateful that Laurie contacted us and helped make this happen. Being in Montana, it’s not very often that we have professional dancers pass through our valley.

“A master’s class such as this exposes dancers to a whole new realm of dance and inspired them by having a direct connection to the professional dance arena,” Browning said. “The best part is Diavolo is not a specified genre of

dance. They employ codified techniques that are not taught in a college setting so it was incredibly eye-opening.”

Throughout a series of team-building and movement experiences, Yamaguchi would authoritatively command, “You are a team of individuals. This is your moment – we have to get to know you.

“You are strategically improvising,” she said.

“The rules never change – you have to deliver.

No matter what elements get thrown in, trust and teamwork are constant. So heighten your awareness.

Arts in the Bitterroot, October 30, 2016 - Page 17

“Be in it. Be committed,” she said. “When it comes to making it, stake your claim. Stand strong on the part of the ground you’re on.

“Realize the power of observation,” she said.

“Be attentive and part of the whole. Holding your space is very critical whether you are part of the picture or not. We must exhaust ourselves creatively.

During movement exercises, she exclaimed, “This is the essence of storytelling. Being able to define our movements clearly is what we do as artists. Take yourself to that level of clarity. We have something to say.”

Yamaguchi encouraged them not to downgrade their status as “student dancers. At any time, you are two minutes away from signing a contract to dance professionally. Your dedication must match your potential.”

Diavolo choreographer and dancer Leandro Damasco also led exercises, “Find your clarity as dance artists,” he said. “You are a unique paintbrush. Discover the architecture of our bodies.”

After several trust and teamwork exercises, the group advanced in a little more than an hour to athletic lift exercises where each was lifted by the group, no matter their size or weight.

Ana Brotons of Miami who has an extensive resume as a cheerleader and performer and earned a bachelor’s degree from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia led the lift demonstrations and taught, “Treat them like a football and let them absorb in,” she said. “Fliers - take two steps and punch it. Your breath will take you a few feet higher.”

Kellie St. Pierre, another flier with the troupe and a renowned yoga instructor in Los Angeles said after the workshop, “It’s rare for students to have an entire company in its essence and entirety. This is our last touring city before a

long holiday break and our last chance to be together as a troupe so we’re really enjoying our time in Montana.”

The dancers are staying three nights in Hamilton thanks to accommodations at The Stock Farm Club and sponsorships by Opportunity Bank and Judy Morrisey. Food has been provided to them

by Red Rooster Artisan Bakery.

“It’s refreshing to not be at a break-neck pace trying to perform here and get on the road so I think the students got more today than they would have otherwise in some other segment of our touring schedule,” said Diavolo’s Director of Production Renee Larsen Engmyr.

University of Montana student Tiki Preston, 18, participated in the master’s class. “I’ve only seen Diavolo on YouTube so this was a great experience,” she said. “The energy and the technique they shared was super cool.”

Student Noelle Huser, also 18, had seen Diavolo perform in her hometown of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. “They offer such a cool blend of architecture, dance and incredible athleticism. What they bring to the table is unique.

They’re so good that it almost seems effortless.

I really loved the class especially learning that they all have such different backgrounds – some competed in diving or cheerleading or football and track when they were younger. It just proves that dance isn’t just for one kind of student, but it’s definitely for the strong.”

Professor Browning said afterwards, “Diavolo’s varied techniques of teaching just opened their world today. Bringing this group of professional dancers here, I could see that this one class had the potential to be life-changing for some of my students.”

Page 18 - Arts in the Bitterroot, October 30, 2016

dineAROUND : Hamilton Tonight’s Celebration of the Culinary Arts

By KRIS KOMAR Ravalli Republic

What’s there to do on the second Friday of November in Downtown Hamilton when the weather is cooling and darkness falls early?

How about a little eating, perhaps proceeded by a little shopping, and topped off with a contribution to a worthy endeavor. And all the while you’ll be encouraging art and artists and supporting our community.

The dineAROUND is in its third year.

The concept is simple… chefs are culinary artists and every once in a while they need to exercise their creativity beyond the menu.

During the dineAROUND, they do just that… concoct a mouth-watering special menu for you to enjoy. At the dineAROUND you might discover a new eating adventure, revisit a dish you haven’t enjoyed for a while, or maybe you’ll order your favorite from the menu.

But the dineAROUND gives you a reason to do it up big, indulge a little… ask your server for recommendations on wine parings; save room for a decadent, artistically presented dessert.

At your table during the dineAROUND, you’ll find information about the Empty Bowl on display at the restaurant. This is the 2016 Bitterroot Empty Bowls project. The bowls,

Arts in the Bitterroot, October 30, 2016 - Page 19

handmade with love by local artists from ClayWorks! in the Bitterroot, are there to accept your contributions for this year’s Empty Bowls beneficiary, Ravalli County WIC (women, Infants, and Children).

WIC will use the funds to offer Kids Cooking Classes to their client families. Youngsters who learn early to select and prepare affordable and healthy food will grow up to be less food insecure and hopefully, never be hungry. A good thing and you can help make it happen.

Good news again this year, the Town Pump Charitable Foundation is generously supporting Empty Bowls which means that every dollar you contribute goes straight to the WIC and Kids Cooking Classes. The Town Pump folks support Bitterroot Empty Bowls as it helps them meet their mission of meeting the basic needs of Montanans including reducing hunger and food insecurity.

Now the shopping part. Downtown Hamilton shops are offering culinary accoutrement (think handmade serving dishes or cutting boards,

Putting the sPotlight on education,

cOmmuNiTy aNd iNSpiraTiON THrOugH THe perFOrmiNg arTS!

The Mystery of Edwin Drood February 17-19 & 24-26 • March 3-5

Love, Sex, and the I.R.S. April 14-15, 21-23 & 28-30

She Loves Me

June 16-18, 23-25 & 30 • July 1-2

Enchanted April

August 11-13, 18-20 & 25-27

2017 Season Tickets on sale November 4th at 1pm Box Office Hours: Wed-Fri 1-5pm 100 Ricketts Road, Hamilton, MT | 375-9050 | hamiltonplayers.com

table linens, cookbooks) and food items (wine, beer, chocolate, cooking oils) that will help you prepare and serve culinary delights of your own at home. Really. Isn’t it time for a new wine key?

The dineAROUND is a Hamilton Downtown Association event. Get thee to www.hamiltondowntownassociation.org to peruse the menus and shop features. Oh, and begin tucking away a few dollars to add to the Empty Bowl. Eat. Shop. Give. Win. Win. Win. The purpose of the Hamilton Downtown Association (HDA) is to re-invest in and maintain the vitality of the Hamilton business community, to promote Hamilton as a cultural, historic, entertainment and business destination, to reach out to the residents of the valley to educate them on our products and services and the importance of supporting local businesses, and to contribute to the vitality and well-being of our community.

Page 20 - Arts in the Bitterroot, October 30, 2016

Book Culture: Give it a try and read something by

Shawn Wathen

for the

Ravalli Republic

Curmudgeon—noun: a bad tempered or surly person. See: Shawn.

Often, when well-known customers would come into Chapter One seeking book recommendations, it was not uncommon to hear the refrain “just not one of Shawn’s picks.”

I never took offense. I understood that my choices could be viewed as uncommonly dark, written by people with unpronounceable names. Primarily works of nonfiction and poetry, I love them, nonetheless.

I am, however, able to talk about a wide array of books—ones, while not having read them, I know about them from others who have.

In an unrelenting publishing tsunami, where more than 300,000 books are published each year, it all becomes noise without some kind of filter. One does not need to promote the new Grisham or Picoult.

These national bestsellers will be read. But what of those hidden gems that might just change a life, if

given the chance? An essential facet of reading culture is that books exist to talk about them.

Conversation--noun: the informal exchange of ideas by spoken words.

In book stores, libraries, waiting rooms, bedrooms, and queues all over the world, people can be heard discussing what they are reading.

We do this all day at Chapter One. It remains one of the priceless, intangible benefits of working in a book shop.

People who read have something to give.

Whether it be a title, an author, a genre, an idea, or a philosophy of our place in the world, readers will always have someone with whom they can talk.

In a society that can be perceived as increasingly atomized and isolated, the book remains a social force. Books do not exist in isolation. Each has a relationship with a reader, who brings her or his experiences to the reading of a particular book.

Two people who have read the same book will have unique reactions to it. This, by itself, can create a social connection unlike any other. Books have the

Arts in the Bitterroot, October 30, 2016 - Page 21

capacity to spark new questions, new ways of seeing the world.

They can, as Kafka demanded, wound and stab us. They can also entertain, allowing us to escape for a short while. Books contribute, in countless ways, to forging the individuals we are, as we remake ourselves with each new reading experience.

Share---verb: to give something to another or others.

One of the great joys of connecting with a book is the desire to share it. I love to leave books I have finished on trains, at bus stations, at airports, in cafes.

On more than a few occasions, people have come into the book store to buy a book to give to someone—a book they have read electronically; a format difficult to share.

Books will find their reader. I like to imagine the lives of books after they have left my hands—or, for that matter, their lives before they find us.

My business partner and bookaneer without peer, Mara Luther, just scored a book on Venice from the Bitterroot Library’s free book gazebo. We stood together marveling at the book—its shape,

Celebrate the many colors of montana

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size, quality, as well as the map of Venice contained between its pages. Moving on to wondering about the book’s journey to arrive at this moment. The imagination runs riot.

Horizon—noun: the limit of a person’s mental perception, experience or interest.

These days, my list of “books under my belt” include: The Shadow of the Wind by Zafon; Genesis

by Beckett; Arcadia by Stoppard; The Buenos Aires Quintet by Montalban; Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (no authorial citation required…); and Pax by Pennypacker. Add to this list—all works of fiction, by the way--countless others, each suggested to me by someone devoted to them.

Thank you Mara, Laura, Jean, Brendan, Richard, Steve, and so many others. I know I am richer for having read them, have expanded my world, but more importantly, I have more titles to discuss, more potential friends to be made, more possibilities open to engage in small ways people, both known and not, through words occupying the pages of a book.

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Page 22 - Arts in the Bitterroot, October 30, 2016

PERRY BACKUs - RAVALLI REPUBLIC

Fiber artist Deb Essen was the Artrepreneurship Programs first student to complete certification. She has recently rejoined the program to help former participants finish.

Second chances for artrepreneurs

By Stacie Duce for the

Ravalli Republic

Second chances are always a good thing – especially for local professional artists looking to increase their sales and business success.

Six years ago, the Montana Arts Council instituted the Montana Artrepreneurship Program.

Every year since, at least six artists have been involved in the Bitterroot cohort and worked with a coach and each other to complete an intensive certification program.

Fiber artist Deb Essen of Victor was the first

MAP student to complete the certification in 2010 and then became an instructor for several years before taking a break to build her business as she intended. This year, she’s been recruited to rejoin the program to help with a “re-MAP” program – a second chance for succeeding artists who never quite finished the certification process.

“The artrepreneur program is designed to teach 35 tools you need to run your business,” Essen said. “The Montana Arts Council has evaluated what’s happened since the program

Arts in the Bitterroot, October 30, 2016 - Page 23

began and found that those who complete all 35 tasks increase their earning potential by more than 400 percent compared to artists who don’t take the class at all.”

She said those who take the class, even if they don’t become certified, increased sales by more than 200 percent.

“It really is effective,” she said. “And it’s easy to start, see success, but then not finish because they become busy making and selling art.”

Watercolor artist Karen Savory enrolled in the MAP’s program in 2013. She’s returning this year to finish what she started.

“This time around, I have better goals for myself,” Savory said. “I kinda know more what I want to do and the program is helping me organize better.”

Savory is currently represented by three galleries and has illustrated a book. She also gleaned a licensing deal with a sign-making company in Big Fork, Montana. She’s certain that completing her MAP’s certification will help continue her trajectory of success with her business and her art.

Essen said that every student in the program, “loves to do the fun stuff – creating a logo, a brochure and business cards,” she said. “But what we find is even when people are going gangbusters, they don’t like to do that important stuff at the end – creating a marketing plan, creating a business plan. They hear what sounds like math and they don’t want to do it.”

Essen said the re-MAP group will meet monthly to review the 35 tools and share information.

“Almost everyone has done some of the tools but not all,” she said. “Sharing resources and mutual support, being able to bounce ideas off each other is really helpful. But I’ll also make sure they have their long, short and mediumsize artists statements, their bio, press kit, and video presentation ready to go.”

She said nine of the 10 artists in her re-MAP cohort are from the Bitterroot Valley and all are actively working on their art.

“Things are happening for them – happening at such a rate that they’re overwhelmed,” Essen said. “We’re talking about talented people sometimes working seven days a week, 12-hour days. It’s a really, really good thing that’s happening. But to sustain it, we’re helping them get their organizational necessities in control so they can stay profitable long-term.”

She said the MAP and the re-MAP programs are designed to help artists focus at multiple stages.

“One of the things that artists kind of fight is setting goals,” she said. “The program encourages each person to set three goals with three objectives – a goal for what they want to happen in one year, in two years, in five years. When I did the program, I kind of blurted out that I wanted to write a weaving book. Since I verbalized it in class, I kept thinking about it. I knew it would never get written unless I proposed it to a publisher. So I sent in a proposal and the publisher got back to me in 24 hours and said, ‘Write it!’ and I thought, ‘What have I done?’”

Essen finished her weaving book and it was published this year in addition to her catalogs for weaving kits.

“I truly know that the MAP program helped me succeed,” she said. “It got me to stop dibbling, dabbling and dreaming and get something done.”

For more information on the MAP or re-MAP program, call Deb Essen at 406.642.6424.

An Affair of the heART Art Quilt Show and Sale

Friday, Feb 24th 5-8pm Saturday, Feb 25th 10-4pm Sunday, Feb 26th 10-4pm at the Masonic Hall 115 S. 3rd St., Hamilton Call 360-0658 for more information.

Page 24 - Arts in the Bitterroot, October 30, 2016

photos provided

Tim Fain & Simone Dinnerstein recital

By Stacie Duce Ravalli Republic

A rising international star of classical prowess and multi-media genius, violinist Tim Fain won’t travel far for his recital with the Bitterroot Performing Arts Series.

He’s made a home with his young family in Hamilton and will be performing for friends, neighbors and fans who may be driving much further on Friday, Nov. 4.

Fain’s dynamic style has been called dark, yet athletic by the New York Times and many reviewers dub his performances as “mesmerizing” and “electrifying.”

Fain is a sought-after chamber musician who’s been lauded for technical precision in performing traditional works, but he passionately promotes 20th and 21st Century composers as well as incorporates multi-media into new compositions.

With youthful energy, his vast resume of appearances include the best symphony orchestras as well as coveted invitations to perform with touring composer Philip Glass and other renowned musicians. Genre jumping is a challenge Fain embraces.

He’s recently worked with jazz pianists, rock groups, rappers and appeared with singer-songwriter Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20 at Jazz at the Lincoln Center last season.

The Nov. 4 concert in Hamilton offers a modern collision of classical violin and piano performance when Fain collaborates with pianist Simone Dinnerstein for “First Loves to Fresh Ink.” Dinnerstein’s latest album Broadway-Lafayette is an amalgam of respect for generations of French and American composers who have influenced and supported each other musically and culturally. A SeattleTimes review of a recent piano performance said Dinnerstein is an artist of “great sensitivity and subtlety” with “a thoughtful and understated approach” to classical pieces. Dinnerstein was praised for not playing for “noisy effect” but instead, providing “lasting satisfaction” to those in attendance.

“We could not be more thrilled that Tim Fain found time in his extremely impressive schedule of performances to play for us,” BPAC Executive Director Laurie Ruffner said. “And we’re honored that he will be joined by the esteemed pianist Simone Dinnerstein. I am certain we’ll be awestruck the entire evening by their talent.”

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.bitterrootperformingarts.org or call the BPAC box office at 406.363.7946. To purchase in person, visit the box office at 127 W. Main Street in Signal Square in Hamilton.

Arts in the Bitterroot, October 30, 2016 - Page 25

Ravalli County Museum’s “Touching the Surface” opens Nov. 18 featuring Wes Mill’s treasured Chinese objects Kris Komar for the

Ravalli Republic

The Ravalli County Museum focuses their efforts in three major areas: history, natural history, and art.

Their newest exhibit, “Touching the Surface, Treasured Objects from China’s Past,” accomplishes in the best way possible to integrate all three in a merging of art and culture.

Over 60 objects in the exhibit are drawn from the personal collection of Hamilton resident, Wes Mills. A notable artist in his own right, Mills collects art during his travels across the globe.

Mills has varied interests and numerous collections and “Touching the Surface” will reveal something about which objects capture his attention, the cultural significance behind some of his favorite pieces, and highlight how collecting, and the specific objects in his collection, intertwine with his own work. The exhibit will include a few of Mill’s own drawings to illustrate the connection between collecting, life, and art.

The exhibit embraces much of Mill’s extensive

collection of Asian antiquities including Chinese Neolithic jade ritual objects collected over two decades. It will feature jade bi-disks (flat circular discs with a hole in the center), axes, pig-dragons (zoomorphic forms with a pig-like head), and a scholar’s stone (naturally occurring or shaped rocks traditionally appreciated

by Chinese scholars).

Such objects helped lay the foundation for subsequent Chinese art, culture, and civilization.

N. Pepos is curating the exhibit.

Pepos’ dialogue with Mills will form the narrative for the exhibit and probe for deeper understandings, “Mills is inexplicably drawn to objects, to their beauty, to their essence, to their touch, to the deeper power they possess.”

The initial works of art developed by a culture tend to be authentically unique, sheer photo provided concept and design, permeated and pulsing with emerging cosmology. This relation to a genuine and original creation and its authenticity is an important and prevailing aspect to Mills as he continues to assemble and safeguard this collection and peruse his own work.

The museum’s executive director, Tamar

Page 26 - Arts in the Bitterroot, October 30, 2016

Stanley, is guiding the Ravalli County Museum in its efforts to present a wide world of culture, heritage, and art to a regional and rural audience.

“As the museum continues to develop its ventures into art, sharing the diversity of cultures around the world in their many shapes and forms is important,” Stanley said. “While the Museum mission focuses us on local history, our mission in natural history compels us to bring other cultures into juxtaposition with our own.”

During the run of the exhibit, watch for associated educational programming, including lectures, informal gatherings to discuss the nature of art and children’s free Saturday Learning Adventures.

Touching the Surface opens with a reception for the artist/collector on Friday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m. and runs through April 13. The Ravalli County Museum is located at 205 Bedford St., Hamilton and can be reached at 406 363-3338 or www.ravallimusuem.org.

The mission of the Ravalli County Museum & Historical Society is to acquire, preserve, protect and interpret the historical and cultural heritage of the Bitter Root Valley

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