It's been five months since the Arts Council of Big Sky closed on the 7700 square foot building at 77 Lone Peak Drive, with the the vision of creating a new Big Sky Center for the Arts. Formerly operated as a sports bar, grill and casino, we have initiated the first phase of transformation by creating an interim office space, community event venue, and art class location, all through the generous support of Todd Rossier of Two Bear Construction, Gina Dee of Provincial Store Fixtures, and countless volunteer hours.
Future renovation will be dramatic. Our main floor will have a dedicated youth classroom, dedicated pottery workshop, gallery, stage, and public event space. With the addition of a second floor, we will add five more art class and community meeting space options, administrative offices, and a radio station broadcast booth. We will build out the basement to create music lesson rooms, a recording studio, and an intimate small performance venue. And last, but definitely not least, a rooftop deck will be a new spectacular and unrivaled event space.
See the future building plans and renderings, and learn how the Big Sky Center for the Arts will transform our community here!
Breaking news: Watch "Big Sky Arts Find Its Center", the latest episode of Explore Big Sky's Hoary Marmot podcast, here!
Space
Two months after closing on the building, the former casino "game room" had been completely transformed. Old carpet was removed and the concrete floor was polished. Blacked-out windows were scraped to reveal the bright southern exposure. National Coatings painted the walls a bright gallery white - for free! Our friend Gina Dee donated a beautiful entry seating area and Big Sky Thrift contributed colorful throw pillows. Five of the Arts Council's team members moved from their 350sf office to a new office space nearly three times the size!
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In the past month, the bar and stage area of the former building received a fresh coat of white paint to create a bright and inviting space where we will host numerous upcoming community events, including High School Prom! (See below for more...) Another exciting development: in preparation for our upcoming Montana Chamber Music event, we will be moving our grand piano from the Wilson Hotel (where it has been on loan). We can't wait to hear how it fills the space!
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The former restaurant dining area has gone through a minimal transformation, mainly to serve as temporary classroom space. It will serve a very important purpose as we launch our first ever, full-time Youth Summer Arts Camp. By having this space available, we are able to expand our class offerings without disrupting programming at our art studio at BASE. Not pictured is another much-appreciated donation: a sink with counter and cupboards to provide running water and storage for any art programs we run in this corner of the building.
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Still in the works... While the new class area sink will be convenient, we still have a fully functional prep kitchen area to stage event refreshments. Much of the prior kitchen equipment remains in the space, though we do not have cooking facilities set up yet. Another transition is in progress downstairs, where basement walk-in coolers are being disassembled and removed. Once it's cleared out, it will serve as future basement storage and music practice and lesson space for local musicians of all ages.
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April 26: Lone Peak High School Prom
May 1: One Valley Give Big community event *
May 7: Big Sky Chamber’s Leadership Big Sky Graduation
June 6-7: Big Sky Artists Collective Plein Aire Kids painting class
June 27: Big Sky Artist Collective Plein Aire Kids exhibit *
July 26: Spanish Peaks Community Foundation Singer-Songwriter event
July 30: Outlaw Wildlands pop-up art exhibit *
* = Free public event
** = Ticketed public event
May 14: ACBS Artist in Residence presentation *
June 20: ACBS Baroque Music Montana concert **
July 9: ACBS Indigikitchen program with Mariah Gladstone **
July 15: ACBS Montana Chamber Music Ensemble with Angella Ahn **
(See our event calendar for more info.)
* = Free public event
** = Ticketed public event
See the future plans for this building and learn how the Big Sky Center for the Arts will transform our community here!
To visit the building and get more information about our upcoming campaign to fully realize the vision for the Big Sky Center for the Arts, please reach out to
Katie Alvin
Development Director
katie@bigskyarts.org
406-995-2472