EXPLORING IMAGINATION
•
ENCOURAGING CURIOSITY
What do Bikers, Chicks, Val Knight and Poetry Slams
all have in common? The answer is easy - they all
will be at the Square on June 5th this year.
The Square has been very busy recently hosting
events and welcoming guests. In April we had over
2,500 visitors and students in the doors, a mere
900 more than we greeted in March. Special events
included a Drag Queen fashion show, a fundraiser
for the Pittie Committee, a lecturer by world renowned artist Brandon Ballengee, resident artist at
the Sculpture in the Wild, and of course the Square's
19th annual art auction.
•
CONNECTING COMMUNITIES
was sketched and a mill levy was passed in 1893.
On April 2, 1895 the first cornerstone was laid and
the rest was history! Fast forward to present day
2015 and the Square celebrated this anniversary at
Cornerstone Day with a proclamation by the city, by
Commissioner Bill Bronson.
Tammy Lacey, GFPS Superintendent joined the celebration and commended the community's commitment
to education. For the building's entire existence there
has been education at the heart of services.
This year's auction theme, April Showers Bloom Art
at The Square, was a bouquet of successes. We welcomed over 230 in attendance and sold 92% of our
live auction. The evening events were complimented
by the creative cuisine catered by Clark and Louie's
and liquid art provided by Machinary Row. The
sales completed that evening resulted in more than
$14,000 being paid directly to local and regional
artists in commission and more than $20,000 was
raised to support the curatorial and education departments at the Square.
The Square is very thankful to the sponsors and volunteers that made this event happen including
Wayne Thares and Jane Thayer for jurying the art
with Kristi Scott the Square's recently promoted Curator of Art. A huge shout out to Tim Culliton and
Mike McCluskey for co-chairing this year's auction
and believing that it should be held in our own facility. We all are very appreciative of the Quick Finish
artists and their exquisite talents. Thank you Valentina LaPeir, Chuck Fulcher and Judy Erickson!
In addition to education, the Square continues to
offer 15-20 unique art exhibitions per year, school
tours with hand-on art activities, workshops and classes for all ages and abilities, outreach programs to
underserved populations, professional lectures, panel discussions, events and so much more.
Trina Knoche and Farmer's Insurance was our premier sponsor again this year. Additional support came
from First Interstate Bank and Dick Anderson Construction. Staybridge Suite donated to make it possible for 30 artists to attend the auction festivities.
~ Tracy Houck, Executive Director
The Square is fortunate to have so much support
from our community. This support has been around
for 120 years since the idea of a school building
To keep up on our events, classes and exhibits,
please check out our webpage www.the-square.org
or like our Facebook page.
SAVE the DATE!!!!
Join us Tuesday, August 11, 2015
for our Annual Membership Meeting
EXHIBITIONS
Indulge your senses in regional and international contemporary art
when you visit Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art this summer. Six
distinct exhibitions will be featured at The Square that range from
large scale sculptural work to colorful impressionistic paintings, large
and small. Join us for a free opening reception or stop in for a visit
6 days a week as we celebrate the creativity of contemporary work
at North Central Montana’s only contemporary art museum!
Summer 2015 Exhibitions
The Blind Men and the Elephant: Drawings by Stephen Glueckert
(June 1-August 1, 2015)
Contemporary Works of Val Knight
(June 5-August 31, 2015)
Alas, the Pelicans: Randi O’Brien
(June 7 - September 11, 2015)
VSA Group Exhibition
(July 10– July 22, 2015 )
Sunken and Discovered: Danielle O’Malley
(June 19-September 31, 2015)
Manel Alvarez: A Journey
(July 28-October 16, 2015)
Lee Steen: A Montana Original
(ongoing)
Pictured above with her work in progress, Randi O’Brien is an artist,
historian, writer and educator whose work will be on exhibition at The
Square this summer. Her body of sculptural work for this show, Alas,
the Pelicans, features a series of repeating animals, similar in color
and size that relate to her experience moving away from and returning to Montana.
Jean Price: Three Thousand and Counting
(ongoing)
Spanish artist Manel
Alvarez: A Journey will
feature sculpture and
drawings on display in
the Great Falls Clinic
Community Gallery July
28th—October 16th.
Join us and meet the
artist at an opening
reception on Tuesday,
July 28th from 4:306:30pm
Tors, Manel Alvarez, 1997
The Blind Men and the Elephant: Drawings by Stephen Glueckert will be
featured at the Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art beginning June 1,
2015 and running through August 1, 2015. This series of drawings
was created using oil pastels, cattle markers, Keno crayons, and China
markers. The drawings are directly inspired by the ancient parable
which has a great deal to teach us today. The subject matter seemed
natural to develop in black and white since at the core of the tale is
the metaphor of blindness, contrasting the worlds of light and dark,
the seen and unseen. The story contrasts the ideas of what we can
actually grasp as real through evidence, with what we might perceive
in our mind’s eye as truth. And in the end, how utterly wrong everyone can be.
Danielle O’Malley is
Paris Gibson Square
Museum of Art and the
Great Falls Public
School’s 2014-15 Artist
in Residence.
Join us for the opening
reception of her exhibit,
Sunken and Discovered,
Friday, June 19th from 4
-6pm.
Skydancer, ceramic, 2014
by Danielle O’Malley
EXHIBITIONS SPECIAL FEATURE: CONTEMPRARY WORKS OF VAL KNIGHT
Val Knight’s body of work is modern,
dynamic, and bold. Paris Gibson Square
currently preserves 25 pieces of Knight’s
work in our permanent collection, thanks
to a generous donation from John and
Mait Board in 2013. Knight was a Great
Falls artist who was ahead of her time.
Angelina, Val Knight, oil on canvas, 1968
On loan from Private Collection
We are honored to showcase over 50
pieces of her work in our upcoming exhibition: The Contemporary Works of Val
Knight (June 5-August 30, 2015). When
asked about this donation Mr. Board emphasized that he did not want to see Val
Knight’s incredible body of work scatter
like leaves in the wind. This motived him
and his wife to begin collecting Val
Knight’s work and eventually make this
legacy gift to The Square. Knight painted in oil, acrylic, watercolor, cattle marker and encaustic. Her work is varied in
size, color, content and form. She was
well versed at the pottery wheel , is
known for her sculpture and hand built
figurines as well as portraits. In addition
to the works from PGSMOA’s permanent
collection, pieces from 10 different private collections will be featured in this
exhibition.
Figurine, ceramic, 1980
(PGSMOA Permanent Collection)
Join us Friday, June 5th, from 4-6pm for
an opening reception of the exhibition
and a celebration of Val Knight. Following the opening at The Square, a toast
will be offered at Gallery 16 at 7pm.
From here art revealers can wander
downtown enjoying the First Friday art
walk festivities.
In the spirit of Val Knight this truly is a
community event for contemporary art in
Great Falls! Learn more about Knight by
visiting The Square this summer.
Untitled, oil on canvas,
Kay Wearly collection
If you have an interest in helping to
build the permanent Val Knight collection at Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art and to learn about tax
incentives involved with a legacy
gift, please contact
Kristi Scott,
Curator of Art
(406) 727-8255
Spain, Val Knight, oil on canvas, 1980
On loan from Ron Knight
or
kristi@the-square.org
Floral composition, encaustic,
date unknown, (PGSMOA
Permanent Collection)
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Montana Clay at the State Capitol
Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art is a proud member of Montana Clay;
the state organization that supports, promotes and brings awareness to
ceramic artists & art centers that emphasize clay programs under the Big
Sky. In April, the group provided demonstrations, information on arts
organizations & examples of finished work in the capitol rotunda for
legislatures to encourage supporting the arts. Tours & demonstrations of the
event were provided by The Square’s education director for over 100
Helena area elementary students. In September, Paris Gibson Square
Museum of Art will partner with Montana Clay to bring an expansive statewide exhibition of artists currently working in the field. A collaboration
between the Group, Exhibits & Education Departments here at The Square—
the event will feature the past, present & future of ceramics under the Big
Sky. Stay tuned for more information, and if you’d like to get a first hand
look at some of these artists in action, plan on attending our Arts on Fire
Festival - held in tandem with the opening reception for Montana Clay!
A special thanks to Dorothy Nunez of
In Cahoots for Tea for sponsoring
B.J. Buckley’s Rice, Tea, Ink—Japanese Paper
Arts workshop at The Square!
This past spring, the museum’s education
department developed a new partnership with Great
Falls College - MSU to teach glaze & clay chemistry to
undergraduates. Spearheaded by the college’s
chemistry department and Education Director, Jeff
Kuratnick— 3 session courses in clay and glaze
chemistry will be offered, becoming part of the
curriculum for select classes.
NEW! Summer 2015 High School Art Classes
Painting with No Rules (Grades 9-12) Taught by Tess Jacobs
This class will experiment with unconventional painting media, surfaces & tools.
Designed for students age 14 and older—experimentation is encouraged! Paint
media includes oils, acrylics, canvas, and a variety of recycled building materials.
Dates: Mondays & Wednesdays 7/13—7/29 Time: 2:00– 3:30 PM
Fees: $75/ student
Gas Kiln Update
This past May, the Education
Department made a trip to
Helena, MT to deconstruct a
kiln that was donated by Kay
Feist & Ryan LaBar. A special
thanks to our moving crew for
all your hard work! Dino Pfaff,
Kay Feist, John Chamberlin,
Andy Watson, Aaron
Kueffler, Michelle Caldwell &
Family. Check in with us over
the summer as we make
progress on reconstruction!
Paper Arts (Grades 9-12) Taught by B.J. Buckley
Join us to learn some of the many ways paper can be used as an art
medium. We’ll make marbled & pasted papers, construct one or more
sculptural books, and sample from quilling, origami, frottage, collage,
paper cut and printing techniques
Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays 6/23 – 7/9 Time: 1:30 – 3:00 PM
Pottery & Raku Firing (Grades 9-12) Taught by Danielle O’Malley
An introduction and amplification on working with clay as an art form. Wheel
throwing and handbuilding techniques will be covered to help you develop your
personal voice in clay. Students will participate in the ancient art of Raku Firing as
a final project.
Dates: Tuesdays 6/23 – 7/28 Time: 4:00 – 5:30 PM
Fees: $75/ student
CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
Adult Classes & Workshops
Pottery 1
Taught by Don Marberg
This 8-week class will teach you the basics of
how to make and glaze (decorate) functional
pottery.
Dates: Tuesdays, 6/23 - 7/28
Time: 6:30 – 9:30 PM
Fees: $95 class/ $30 supplies
Drawing for Seniors (60+ Adults)
Taught by Dan Price
Explore drawing using various media. Students
are welcome to attend once or on a weekly
basis.
Dates: Tuesdays (ongoing)
Time: 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Fees: Free w/ pre-registration
Children’s Classes & Workshops
Early Explorers (Ages 2-5)
Taught by Rachel Kaiser
Explore a variety of art materials & hands-on
gallery activities designed for pre-school age
children & an accompanying adult.
Dates: Thursdays, 6/25 – 8/27
Time: 10:30 – 11:30 AM
Fees: $5.00/ class ($3.00 members)
Parent & Child Pottery (Grades K-1)
Taught by Dino Pfaff
Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays 6/23 – 7/9
Time: 12:30 – 2:00 PM
Fees: $45/ parent & child
Messing Around with Art (Grades K-1)
Taught by B.J. Buckley
Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays 6/23 – 7/9
Time: 10:30 – 12:00 PM
Fees: $30/student
Pottery (Grades 2-4)
Taught by Dino Pfaff
Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays 6/23 – 7/9
Time: 4:00 – 5:30 PM
Fees: $45/ student
Little Big Planet Club (Grades 4-8)
Taught by Josh & Trevor Hughes
Little Bing Planet is a video game that takes
the art, work, & play of game design and
shrinks it down to an easy-to-use model.
Beginners: August 3rd - August 7th
Time: 10:30—12:30PM Fees: $125/ student
Advanced: August 10th - August 14th
Time: 10:30—12:30PM Fees: $125/ student
* $225 when you register for both classes!
Pottery (Grades 5-8)
Taught by Danielle O’Malley
Dates: Mondays & Wednesdays 6/22 – 7/8
Time: 4:00 – 5:30 PM
Fees: $45/ student
Comic Creations (Grades 2-4)
Taught by Tess Jacobs
Dates: Mondays & Wednesdays 7/13– 7/29
Time: 4:00 – 5:30 PM
Fees: $30/ student
Landscape Painting (Grades 5-8)
Taught by Rachel Kaiser
Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays 6/23 – 7/9
Time: 2:30 – 4:00 PM
Fees: $30/ student
Sculpture Vultures (Grades 2-5)
Taught by Rachel Kaiser
Dates: Tuesdays & Thursdays 6/23 – 7/9
Time: 12:30 – 2:00 PM
Fees: $30/ student
Adding Personality to your Pottery
Taught by Danielle O’Malley
Artist in Residence Danielle O’Malley will
help you brainstorm through hands-on projects—adding your personal voice to the
body of work you create in class. Demonstrations and projects include; slip & underglaze
decoration, wax resist techniques & making
sets.
Expanded knowledge of clay, glazes & firing techniques. Some experience preferred.
Dates: Tuesdays, 8/4 - 8/25
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Fees: $95 class/ $30 supplies
Thank You to the following who
support us by renewing their
membership. (Jan. - Apr.)
Sharon Anderson
James & Carol Auth
John & Susan Avery
David & Leslie Baldridge
Best Western Heritage Inn
Karen Bishop
Bison Ford
Uta Bock
Diane Bodnar
Joe & Doris Boyle
David & Tanya Cameron
Adam & Eleanor Carroll
Ben & Caroline Carter
Jan & Lisette Carter
City Bar & Casino
Pam Cornelius
Bruce & Martha Cowgill
Joan D'Antuono
Andrew & Wendy Davidson
Darla Dillabough
Bruce & Sherri Donnelly
Dan & Linda Donovan
David Doran & Jill Day
Michael Duchemin & Paivi Hoikkala
Dean & Julie Easton
Coleen R. Eidel
Electric City Conservatory
William Erickson
Linda Fagenstrom
Farmers Union Ins. Co.
Ferrin's Furniture
Mark & Jacque Finnicum
Richard & Joanne Fisher
Bev Flowers
Scott Friskics and Jennifer Smith
Pat & Lyn Galvas
Tom & Laurie Gilleon
Teresa Marie Gray
Barbara Gwynn
Lynn Hebert
Jim Heckel & Pam Smith
Richard & Marcia Hocevar
Lucretia Humphrey
Enid Ikeda
Ruth Jewett
Susan Johnson
Ken Kohoutek & Susan Thomas
KONE Inc.
Tom & Katie Kotynski
Norma Jean Lawrence
Rick & Penny Rubner Lewis
L'Heureux Page Werner PC
Carol Lindseth
C. Joyce Madson
Don Marberg
Arlene McDonald
Mabel McGregor
Gerald & Vickie Meguire
Barbara Melton
Richard Merchant
Pam Musgrave
NorthWestern Energy
Gregory & Amber Pinski
Pam Lemelin
Sheila Rice
Greg & Evelyn Rider
Tom & Jan Robitaille
Shirley Rothwell
Betsy Rushworth
Janet Sedlacek
Jennifer Senko
Sandra M. Smith
John & Sue Ann Stephenson-Love
Delilah Taylor
Ugrin, Alexander, Zadick & Higgins
US Bank
Jerry & Nadyne Weissman
Peter & Susan Welliver
Dorothy Willits
Margery Wulf
Wylder Foundation
SQUARE ROOTS
Paris Gibson Square
MUSEU M O F A R T
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Anita Fisher
Kevin Eckhardt
Sue Ferrin
Trina Knoche
Doris Boyle
Dani Cloutier
Tim Culliton
Lyn Galvas
Jordan Husted
Heather Palermo
Brian Patrick
Barb Gwynn
Dean Boyle
Nicole Wiegland
Shannon Newth
Susan Thomas
Nancy Zadick
Rebecca Bogden-Richards
STAFF
Tracy Houck
Executive Director
In April 2015, a group of art lovers
and Square supporters, often referred to as Square Roots embarked on a trip to San Francisco.
While in the city the group went to
2 art museums - the Asian Art Museum and the De Young Contemporary Museum and visited many galleries the afternoons. They dined at
the Japanese Tea Garden and the
"Top of the Mark" (Mark Hopkins
Hotel). Before getting on the plane
to come home they did a scenic
boat cruise on the SF bay!
The Spring 2015 Square Roots Arts trip
visited the studio of Hung Liu.
GARDEN WALK 2015
Ring in the summer Solstice by visiting some of Great Falls’
finest gardens with Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art!
Our Annual Garden Walk is here and is going to be unforgettable, magnificent and magical. This year’s dates are Friday June 19 (5:30p-9:00p) and again on Saturday morning
June 20 (9:00a-12noon).
Tickets are $8.00 in advance and $10.00 the day of the event. Tickets are available
at the Square and select sponsor locations and will be available at each of the gardens the day of the event
Proceeds for this event will go to the Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art.
All gardening is landscape painting
- William Kent
Kristi Scott
Curator of Art
Jeff Kuratnick
Education Director
Aaron Kueffler
Operations Director
John Chamberlin
Facilities
Toni Abbas
Matt Bronson
Frankie Stockman
Day / Evening / Weekend
Receptionists
HOURS
MONDAY - FRIDAY - 10AM TO 5PM
TUESDAY EVENINGS - 7PM TO 9PM
SATURDAY - NOON TO 5PM
CLOSED SUNDAYS
Calling all Garden Enthusiasts;
Take the Official Garden Walk Quiz...
Q1 - Do you like to garden?
Q2 - Is your yard filled with bountiful plants?
Q3 - Do you have a unique landscape design.
Q4 - Do you have a fun water feature that highlights years of honing you master gardener skills?
If you answered YES to any of the questions, WE WANT YOU to be part of this year’s
Garden Walk.
If you or someone you know has a remarkable garden or you just want to volunteer
and be part of this year’s event, email Aaron at aaron@the-square.org or call 7278255
TROLLEY TOURS AND CHARTERS
June 1 kicks off the sightseeing and summer wedding season on the
Historic Trolley - Great Falls ambassador on wheels.
This year trolley tours will depart daily from the Square and tell the
story of local lore, highlight Great Falls landmarks and present day
opportunities and cultural activities. Previously the trolley ran tours
out of the Visitor Information Center.
Starting on June 1 the tours will pickup and drop off at the Square.
Guests and riders will be able to purchase tickets at the Square's
gift shop and pick up a bottle of water before hopping on a special
tour.
Both an Urban Adventure tours (one hour; $15/adult, $5/child) and
a Historical tour (two hour; $22/adult, $5/child) tours are available.
Tickets are first come, first serve and may be purchased ahead of
the time by calling or stopping by the Square.
The Trolley reasonably holds 20 adults and is also available for
special charters. This historic vehicle is perfect vehicle to celebrate
weddings, birthday parties, family reunions and social clubs wanting
a fun activity. The Trolley is $200 for the first two hours and $75 for
each additional hour.
All aboard!
URBAN ART PROJECT!
The Summer Urban Art Project will open on
June 5th with a reception on the 15th at
the UAP and across the street at Bert &
Ernie’s between 5:00 and 7:00 PM. Three
friends will install on the East side of the
building beginning with returning artists
Ann Wilsnack and Jennifer Thompson, followed by... new to the UAP artist Paula
Evits. The corner window will show new
work by retired Billings art educator Kate
Morris with Kelli Lawson installing in the
first window on the South side of the UAP.
Another returning artist, Annie Allen will
have window #6, and will be followed by
newcomers Corey Couturier, the students of
Krista Sherman from Central Catholic High
School, Katy Lunstad and Drew Austin.
Ray Kelly’s new display of his original cartoon figures will complete the series of
eleven Urban Art Project installations. This
exhibit will run through September 5th and
will celebrate the beginning of the 10th
Anniversary of the UAP.
Please come to join us for the celebration
on June 15th.
Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art
1400 First Avenue North
Great Falls, Montana 59401
www.the-square.org
Museum Admission is
FREE Courtesy of
Museum programming is made possible by the generosity of museum members and
supporters, with ongoing assistance from the Montana Arts Council, a state agency
funded by the State of Montana, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the
citizens of Cascade County.
COVER PHOTO: Balboa Harbor, Val Knight, oil on canvas, date unknown, private collection
Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art
2015 SPRING NEWSLETTER
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Great Falls, MT
Permit # 106