Since its inception in 1989, the Arts Council of Big Sky has been Big Sky’s premier non-profit cultural organization, striving to create an art-centric community through artistic events, cultural outreach, public art, and educational initiatives.
The Arts Council of Big Sky will be hosting an opening reception on Monday, October 2, from 6-8 p.m. in the BASE Art Gallery. The reception is for the gallery’s newest exhibit featuring paintings from Sue Moncada, Carrie French and LeAnn Ramey. All of the artists will be present for the reception.
Susan Moncada returned to her Montana roots in 2017 after a 20-year absence. Following a career in Medical Laboratory Science, she abandoned her left brain self and has been working to develop her right brain muse. After several workshops with Bozeman artist Kara Tripp, she found palette knife technique to be the perfect medium for combining her love of vibrant color and rich textures. Studying with artists David Mensing and Robert Moore has provided inspiration for her landscapes, and her oil-based art captures the subject matter in a way that resembles a complex mosaic; an impressionistic whole made up of beautiful variegated parts.
Carrie French's work meanders along the border between representation and abstraction and reflects her impressions of place while examining the implications of a changing world. A native of Bozeman and graduate of MSU's School of Art, her color palette mirrors the Gallatin Valley's rivers, lakes, mountains and fields, while her imagery reaches for connection between spaces both urban and rural.
A native Nashvillian, LeeAnn Ramey worked as a graphic designer in the country music industry for over 25 years while also painting part-time. After relocating to Bozeman in 2014, she decided to pursue her passion for art and is a self-taught contemporary oil, acrylic, and mixed media painter. Ramey’s paintings are contemporary expressions of color and texture. She is curious by nature and loves the prospect of discovering something new when she paints — whether it’s experimenting with different mediums, paints, or subjects, she likes to have fun and explore. Her use of bold energetic colors and brushstrokes creates a fresh, vibrant and graphic quality in her paintings. LeeAnn is inspired by the beauty and wildlife found in Montana and enjoys painting abstracts, landscapes, animals and figures.
The exhibit can be seen in the Arts and Culture wing of the BASE Community Center. No BASE membership is needed to explore the exhibit, which will be open until December 1.
The Arts Council of Big Sky is pleased to host the 12th Annual Auction for the Arts event, to be held at the Grand Ballroom in the Montage in Big Sky on Thursday, February 22, 2024. We are currently seeking original artwork for our juried silent auction.
Proceeds from the Auction for the Arts allow the Arts Council of Big Sky to make arts programming accessible so everyone can participate in art classes, events, and community art installations.
As well as benefitting our community, the Auction for the Arts is a full-circle fundraiser that simultaneously creates an opportunity for amazing artists like yourself to earn income and connect with Big Sky buyers while also providing a critical revenue source for our organization.
Along with a silent auction, the Arts Auction includes a fixed-price “Luck of the Draw” art sale and quick-finish artwork that will be auctioned off in our live auction. Throughout the night, incredible food and drinks, live entertainment, and a paddle raise for accessible arts education will help create an amazing night. In the months leading up to the Auction for the Arts, public and private previews will be held throughout Big Sky. More details to come!
Through this call for art, we are seeking original artwork for our silent auction. While the fixed-price, live auction, and quick-finish artists are selected by invitation only, by applying to the silent auction, you will be added to our database and considered for next year. If you are interested or know someone who would be interested in participating in the Auction for the Arts, learn more and apply today by clicking the button below.
Thank you for helping create ARTS for ALL!
For questions or concerns, feel free to contact our Public Arts and Outreach Coordinator, Jesine Munson, at jesine@bigskyarts.org.
The Arts Council of Big Sky is adding one more event to this summer’s Music in the Mountains free summer concert series. This one, however, will have a different—and louder—flavor than the rest of the music presented so far.
On Thursday, September 14, the Arts Council will present Metal in the Mountains, a free end-of-summer festival featuring three local heavy metal bands. The event includes Big Sky’s Scavenger as the headliner, with support from Belgrade’s Liquid Gnar and Big Sky’s own Stoneman’s Way, and will take place in Len Hill Park.
“We’ve been planning this for a few months and are super excited to announce this lineup to our Music in the Mountains series,” said Brian Hurlbut, the Arts Council’s Executive Director. “It will be great to showcase the area’s burgeoning heavy metal scene to a Big Sky audience.”
This year marks Scavenger’s 10-year anniversary since their first show at the Broken Spoke Bar in Big Sky. The riff-heavy metal band has played more than 150 shows since then at venues around Montana and beyond, showcasing their original material. Their first album, Cliff Manor, was released in 2018, and the quartet will release its second album later this year. The band members—which include Timmy Bowers on drums/vocals, Ben Blodgett on bass/vocals, Joey Mathis on guitar, and Brent Philippi on guitar/vocals—have been part of the Big Sky community for decades.
“We’ve seen many shows in the park and it’s very validating to us all to get to showcase our music on that same platform,” said Philippi. “We are aware people look at metal music differently, but we’re committed to staying true to ourselves artistically while at the same time changing a few minds when it comes to heavy metal music.”
Liquid Gnar is based out of Belgrade and recently won the Belgrade High School Battle of the Bands competition, which included groups from all over Gallatin Valley. The band is also performing at this year’s Rockin’ the Rivers Festival in Three Forks on August 12. The group’s latest single is Eye of the Sun.
Stoneman’s Way is a punk-influenced rock band based in Big Sky and Bozeman that released their debut album, Get It Right, earlier this year. The band frequently plays at venues around the area.
The park will open at 5 p.m., with Stoneman’s Way kicking things off at 5:30. Liquid Gnar will take the stage at 6:30, and Scavenger will start at 8 p.m. Like all Music in the Mountains concerts, the event is free, family friendly and there will be food and beverage trucks available. This event is presented by the Arts Council and the Rocks Tasting Room and Liquor Store with additional support from Big Sky Build, Herbaceous, and Liquid Death.
