BOZEMAN – The Western History Association has announced that a book by Belgrade author and Montana State University assistant teaching professor Michele Corriel has won the national 2023 Joan Paterson Kerr Award for the best illustrated book on the history of the American West.

It’s the latest in a string of honors awarded to “Montana Modernists: Shifting Perceptions of Western Art,” which chronicles the lives and legacies of six mid-20th century artists who were largely responsible for the emergence of modernism in Montana art. Three of them taught at Montana State in Bozeman and one at Eastern Montana College, now MSU Billings.

“There were lots of great artists around, but these were the people that were the anchors,” said Corriel. “From them came more.”

Corriel first heard about the influential modernists during her 18 years as an arts writer in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming. She said that in interviews with artists, she would routinely ask about who had influenced them and “the same six names kept coming up.”

The names belonged to eastern Montanans Isabelle Johnson and Bill Stockton, and four others who settled in the Bozeman area after World War II – Jessie Wilber, Frances Senska, Robert DeWeese and Gennie DeWeese. They knew each other and “started a whole sort of zeitgeist in art,” according to Corriel.

“They had survived the Depression, they had survived the war, and there was starting to be a Cold War. The language they had used for their art while they were in art school wasn’t enough,” Corriel said. “For sure, in Montana, the art of (Old West artists) Charlie Russell and Frederick Remington was not going to suffice to tell the stories these artists needed to tell.”

Corriel said she didn’t see anyone else writing about the Montana modernist movement, so she set out to do it and do it right.

“I didn’t want it to be a coffee table book. I wanted it to be a book that was accepted into the canon,” she said.

Motivated to acquire the academic credentials to have her book taken seriously, Corriel enrolled in graduate programs at MSU. While working on her master’s degree in art history, she began researching Robert DeWeese, Senska and Wilber, all of whom had taught in the university’s art department. When she moved on to pursue her doctorate in American studies in the College of Letters and Science, she researched the other three artists more fully. All six ultimately became the subjects of her doctoral dissertation.

“I loved the experience; I loved the classes,” Corriel said. “I met fantastic professors. It got me on the right track and kept me going, and the whole process helped to make the book better.”

After graduating with her Ph.D. in December 2019, Corriel set to work rewriting the dissertation into a book structured around the themes of place, artistic lineage and community.

“Place because they are in Montana,” Corriel explained. “I talked about Isabelle Johnson and Bill Stockton the most in that chapter because they were ranchers and they knew the land – breathed it, lived it, ate it. Their art really, truly reflects place.”

Montana also drew artists with impressive lineages, who had been educated at prestigious institutions in the U.S. and abroad, including Columbia University and the Otis College of Art and Design.

“They were schooled in art and art history. They had degrees from amazing places,” Corriel said.

The final component – community – refers to the nurturing of the Montana modernists and their movement, thanks to the hospitality of the DeWeeses.

“It’s really what held them together,” Corriel said. “In the ’50s and ’60s, their house (in downtown Bozeman) became the center of the art movement. After they moved to Cottonwood Canyon, people would meet there, and they would talk well into the night.”

Though only four of the artists featured in her book were university professors, Corriel said, “All of these artists were teachers. All had the opportunity to teach art to young people in the ’50s, coming home from the war and explaining to them what they were trying to do and be open to the creative processes on both sides. They were always learning from each other – it was a very egalitarian pedagogy.”

The elder artists, in addition to treating their students as artistic equals, also taught them how to become teachers themselves, “and those artists became teachers down the line,” Corriel said. “It’s a legacy that still exists.”

Though the six artists profiled in the book are deceased, interest in them is alive and well, according to Corriel. Earlier this year, she curated a show based on her book at the Yellowstone Art Museum in Billings; next summer, she will do the same at the Holter Museum of Art in Helena.

In addition to the just announced Kerr award, “Montana Modernists” was awarded the Big Sky Award for the overall best book and first prize for art and photography at the 2023 High Plains Book Awards. It also won honors in the 2023 Montana Book Awards contest.

Corriel teaches in MSU’s University Studies program, and she has taught classes on Montana modernism in the School of Art in the College of Arts and Architecture.

“This is a subject that is so near and dear to my heart – I’m very passionate about the subject,” Corriel said. “I’m so honored and humbled by all of the attention this book has been getting.”

And though she is the person who researched and wrote the book, she said it is the artists who deserve the credit.

“They were amazing people who lived remarkable lives, who dedicated themselves to art and created this important art movement,” she said. “What would have happened without them?”

The Montana Master Hunter Program (MHP) is accepting applications for the 2024 program. Deadline is  Nov. 30. Led by One Montana, the MHP is for hunters who want to continue to improve and hone their skills, build relationships with landowners to aid their wildlife management goals, and be an advocate for conservation and wildlife. Classes will be held in Bozeman (March), Missoula (April) and Kalispell (May). To apply or learn more, visit mtmasterhunter.com.

Life requires the presence of water. However, even though water is present in most places on Earth, its quality isn't always assured. Actually, there's a chance that the chemicals, bacteria, and dangerous particles in your tap water are endangering your health. For this reason, a lot of homeowners decide to put in water filters. Water that has been filtered helps to make it safer to drink by removing contaminants. Not everyone, though, has the money to install a water filter right now. Fortunately, you can install and buy a water filtration system for your home with the assistance of water filter financing.

What is water filter financing?

A payment plan referred to as "water filter financing" enables households to pay for the purchase as well as the setting up of a water filter over time. You can pay for the system in manageable installments spaced out over time as an alternative to paying the entire amount at once.

How does water filter financing work?

Water filter financing works very similarly as that of other financing options such as car loans or mortgages. A lender will provide you with a principal amount to pay for your water filter, and you will pay the lender back over time, typically with interest. The terms of your loan agreement will vary depending on the lender's policies and your credit score.

What are some benefits of water filter financing?

The flexibility of financing water filters is one of its key advantages. Financing offers a way for people who cannot afford to pay for their water filtration system all at once to spread out their payments over time. Having the option to select from a range of water filtration systems that may suit your budget, as opposed to settling for a subpar or inadequate filter, is another benefit of financing.

What are some things to consider when choosing a lender?

There are a few considerations to make when selecting a lender to finance your purchase of water filters. First and foremost, be sure to investigate and contrast various lenders to identify the best terms and rates for your financial circumstances. Second, think about the kind of interest rate you want—variable or fixed—and which is best for you. And lastly, make an effort to select a lender who specializes in financing water filters and who can provide counsel and direction all through the financing procedure.

What are some other ways to finance your water filter purchase?

There are other ways to pay for your water filtration system economically besides financing for water filters. These consist of credit cards, home equity loans, and personal loans. Before choosing one of these possibilities, it's critical to do your homework and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Financing for water filters might be a great choice for homeowners who want to buy a water filtration system. Financing offers a way to install a water filter that is appropriate for your home at a reasonable cost and allows you to spread out your payments over time. To guarantee a seamless loan experience, evaluate lenders, pick one you can trust, and carefully go over your lending terms.

What to Consider When Taking Water Filter Financing

Are you thinking about investing in a water filter for your house or place of business, but you just cannot afford the initial outlay? There are financing options available to assist in lowering the cost of this investment. But before you sign the paper, there are a few important things to think about when obtaining a finance plan for a water filter. We'll talk about the crucial considerations in this blog post before obtaining a finance plan for a water filter.

It is crucial to evaluate interest rates and costs when looking into financing options for water filters. A financing option may seem enticing due to its low interest rate, but beware of hidden expenses that might make payments pile up and end up costing more than you had intended. To find out about any additional costs you might have to pay, make sure you read over the terms and conditions of your financing arrangement.

One of the biggest mistakes a borrower can make is not carefully considering the length of the financing term. While a longer term may seem like a good idea because of lower monthly payments, it can result in a higher overall cost due to interest accumulation. Shorter financing terms may result in higher monthly payments, but the overall cost may be lower because of less interest accumulation. Make sure to weigh the pros and cons of each option before selecting a financing term.

Financing options for water filters may have specific eligibility requirements, such as a certain credit score or income level. Before applying for a financing plan, be sure to research the eligibility requirements so you can make an informed decision based on your financial situation.

It is crucial to consider the standing of the business providing the funding plan. Before registering, check out the company's background, customer satisfaction rating, and reviews. Selecting a business with a good reputation is crucial to making sure you don't get taken advantage of.

Since a water filter is an ongoing expense, it's critical to account for potential maintenance and replacement costs in your financing strategy. Prior to committing to a financing plan, make sure you understand the terms of the warranty and the associated costs of servicing your water filter.

In conclusion, selecting a financing plan for a water filter is a major choice that needs to be well thought out in light of a number of variables, such as interest rates, the length of the financing term, eligibility requirements, company reputation, and future maintenance and replacement expenses. We hope that this blog post has given you the knowledge you need to decide how best to pay for your water filter. To be sure you're choosing the best course of action for your financial circumstances, always remember to weigh your options before committing and consult a financial expert.

On November 11, 2023, at 1:07pm, Yellowstone National Park Dispatch received a 911 call from a concerned family member where an individual had sustained injuries that prevented the individual from hiking out of the backcountry cabin they were staying at.  The caller indicated that one of the individuals in the party was in need of immediate medical treatment near Cabin Creek outside of West Yellowstone, Montana.

Gallatin County Sheriff Search and Rescue (GCSSAR) volunteers from the West Yellowstone Section and GCSSAR Heli Team, Montana Fish & Wildlife Law Enforcement, US Forest Service Law Enforcement, Hebgen Basin Rural Fire District and Gallatin County Sheriff’s Deputies, responded to the request for aid.  The GCSSAR team members along with law enforcement communicated with the patient over inReach to establish critical details leading to how best to serve the injured individual. Due to the remote location and varying snow levels, SAR Heli Team extracted the patient from Cabin Creek to a staged Hebgan Basin Rural Fire Ambulance. The patient was cleared medically by Hebgen Basin Rural Fire and required no further higher-level care.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind backcountry recreationalists that having a plan for contingencies along with being able to call for aid in remote areas is crucial in the backcountry adventures.

On November 9, 2023, at approximately 1:45 PM, Gallatin County 911 received a call for assistance for an injured hunter in the Cow Creek area of the Bridger Mountain Range.  The injured person was hunting with his adult son when he slipped and injured his lower leg.  His son hiked out of the area to find cell service and called 911.

Search and Rescue members responded to the area and utilized side by side ATVs to get to his location. SAR members provided first aid, then transported him and his son by side by side out of the area back to their personal vehicle. The injured individual determined that his son could provide transportation to further medical attention, and he and his son left the area in their own vehicle.

Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer would like to remind backcountry recreationists that adventures may not go according to plan, and it is important to pack for contingencies.  Even when the plan is to be exercising all day, it is a good practice to bring warm enough clothing, food, water, and survival gear that you can safely spend the night as temperatures drop in the event you are unable to move and must await rescue.  Furthermore, cellular service is spotty at best in the backcountry and a communication plan that does not depend on cell service is a good idea.

BOZEMAN – The Museum of the Rockies at Montana State University recently received a three-year grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services exceeding $250,000 for a unique project prioritizing paleontology education. The award is one of the 122 awards presented by IMLS.

The project, “Discover Science! A Paleontology Education Initiative,” will expand the museum’s paleontology education program to reach more Montana residents, enabling the museum to offer a range of educational resources through paleontology galleries and pop-up museum programs statewide.

“With robust research and fieldwork occurring, we want to be able to dig deep with teachers and students as well,” said Chelsea Hogan, the museum’s director of education and public programming. “Capturing a child's passion for dinosaurs at a young age could set them up for a lifetime of love for science. This opportunity to grow our paleontology outreach program will allow us to connect in person and virtually with more teachers and their classes than ever before.”

“Discover Science!” will immerse participants in the scientific process of exploring prehistoric environments reaching as far back as 80 million years.

“STEM inquiry, including paleontology research, is the forerunner of human progress,” said Stephanie Dickson, vice chair of the Museum of the Rockies board of trustees. “Museum of the Rockies’ IMLS-funded ‘Discover Science!’ program will significantly impact the scientific and environmental literacy of citizens of Montana.”

Over three years, the grant will help create and distribute classroom materials, including posters and fossil kits. It will also support teacher stipends, ensuring that educators can attend the museum’s specialized conferences that are designed to enhance professional development and foster a community of educators dedicated to science. The museum also plans to introduce a part-time museum educator position to enhance outreach.

For more information about these initiatives and other programs at the Museum of the Rockies, please visit museumoftherockies.org.

Montana State University graduate art student, and veteran, Nick Krause, works with various art materials in his studio. MSU photo by Marcus “Doc” Cravens

BOZEMAN — Following grueling training sessions in the Army, Nick Krause would return to his desk in the barracks and draw or paint under the glow of a headlamp. It gave him something to look forward to in times of boredom or strain. 

Art has played a central role in Krause’s life since childhood, when his godfather started taking him to museums. So, after completing active duty, Krause enrolled in the Master of Fine Arts program in the School of Art in Montana State University’s  College of Arts and Architecture  to continue his passions of making and studying art. 

Transitioning back to school after being stationed near Tacoma, Washington, for four years was a bit of a challenge, he said, “but everything is easier after you’ve done that. I’d still rather write a 20-page paper than run 5 miles.” 

Krause is in his final year of the all-encompassing, three-year MFA program, which includes giving artist talks, presenting artwork in shows, studying art history, participating in discussions and teaching classes. 

“We have to do every bit of practice to prepare for whatever professional route we want to take,” he said. “It's basically training wheels for all this stuff that you need to do, and the teaching element is, well, they kind of just throw you right in there, but they make it not so overwhelming.” 

Krause has enjoyed leading freshman drawing classes and would like to continue teaching after next spring’s graduation ceremony. He’s been around art professors most of his life. 

His godfather and family friend, Henry Freedman, taught art history at Keene State College in New Hampshire, near Krause’s childhood home. Freedman cultivated Krause’s artistic passions and talents and inspired a love of museums. 

Whenever Krause visits a new city, he likes to explore local museums. Some of his favorites are in Italy or on the East Coast, where he spent most of his life. He completed his undergraduate degree at the Massachusetts School of Art and Design in Boston, with a focus on painting.

Then he had a desire to serve, to maybe make the world a better place, so he enlisted in the Army. He would pass the time with fellow members of the mortar infantry by making T-shirts or creating songs. When Krause was discharged from active duty, Freedman was living in Missoula and suggested Krause might enjoy continuing his art studies in Montana. A scholarship, a reprieve from city life and a program that provided time to make art with a teaching element made MSU the ideal spot for Krause. 

“I just love this place — the big sky, all the colors going up to Glacier National Park, just seeing the really beautiful landscapes and stuff like that,” he said. “I really felt free out here.” 

Since Krause enrolled in MSU’s art school, associate dean Jim Zimpel has noticed his consistent dedication, willingness to help others and inquisitiveness. 

“He isn't someone who needed a lot of prompting to do the exploration,” Zimpel said. “He’s always willing to try different things and when he gets excited about something, he’ll find the resources.” 

A main element of Krause’s artwork involves hunting down material. His most common medium is combining painting with collage. He frequently scours antique stores, looking for old art books or prints. Quality paper and printmaking excite him. 

He’ll usually start with the concept of beauty as defined in Greek or Roman art and expressed in basic geometric forms. He’ll then take images he’s collected or painted and start laying them out, using his natural and developed sense of composition.  

“Then these things just develop spatial relationships, and then they sort of become their own narrative,” he said. “The characters form. All the elements kind of come together. I just let them form themselves.” 

Sometimes Krause’s creations will even surprise him, like a collage of characters that end up resembling his old platoon. Others present a bit of satire or reflect Krause’s own experiences. 

“Nick’s work is interesting as it gives viewers a chance to try to decode his process and also because it leans heavily on imagery that feels familiar in an art historical sense,” Zimpel said. 

Krause’s process is reflected in his workspace, a bright, rectangular room in a nondescript building that houses MSU’s Melvin Graduate Studios. Papers and books are stacked and piled on a long table in the corner. A bench and chairs surround and sometimes hold current projects. A small guitar can offer a mental break when a project isn’t quite coming together. 

And the west wall holds framed, finished pieces, all with “FIN” inscribed in the bottom right corner, a tribute to Freedman, Krause’s godfather and mentor. 

“He didn’t have a son, but he said if he did, he would have named him Finnean,” Krause said. “So, I just shortened it. It's kind of a tribute to him and the end of a French movie, so it's kind of like, The End.” The project is finished. 

BOZEMAN — As part of a health promotion class in the Mark and Robyn Jones College of Nursing at Montana State University, Levi Specht assists employees and volunteers at Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry in Kalispell. 

Since 2022, students at MSU’s Kalispell nursing campus have helped out at the organization, which provides veterans and other members of the community access to food, medical equipment and other essentials, like clothing, blankets and furniture. 

Specht spends much of his time in the nonprofit’s durable medical equipment area, helping individuals find what they need, showing them how to use it and making sure items like wheelchairs, canes and walkers fit the customers properly. Patrons can rent the equipment for free for 120 days or purchase items at a reduced rate. 

“Most of the time when people come in, they are hesitant,” Specht said. “We make sure that we have what they need and help fit them into the equipment.” 

Ill-fitting medical equipment can lead to accidents and injuries, according to Kaki Mendius, campus director at the MSU nursing college’s Kalispell location. She also leads Specht’s health promotion course, which students take during their first year in the nursing college. Each student is assigned to a local organization to assist with promoting good health habits. 

“If we can promote health before people are in the hospital, we can prevent people from making hospital visits,” Mendius said. 

Since partnering with the food pantry, MSU nursing students have run information campaigns at the organization by putting together a guide on how to properly fit medical equipment. They’ve also accrued and dispensed information on how to properly use various items and correct techniques for caregivers to lift patients. 

At the organization’s food bank, students research and develop healthy recipes for customers using available food items. For example, the food bank once received 300 pounds of parsnips, and nobody really knew what to do with them, according to Linda Erickson, director of programs at Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry. 

MSU students found parsnip recipes, taught customers about their health benefits and held tastings at the food pantry, she said. Other times students have found recipes for people who have trouble chewing but still want to enjoy the taste of their favorite foods.  

Two to four students are assigned to the Northwest Montana Veterans Food Pantry each semester. Additionally, Specht and 12 of his classmates volunteered at the organization’s Stand Down event last month in Libby, which is designed to feed, clothe and provide medical services to veterans, including those struggling with housing insecurity. 

More than 500 veterans participated in the two-day event, according to Erickson. MSU students helped set up the event and distributed food and blankets. There were also mental health professionals and a mobile medical unit on site that provided health screenings and flu shots. Students had the opportunity to shadow health care professionals as they worked with veterans and learn more about careers focused on veterans’ health. 

“I feel they learn a lot, and they help us a lot,” Erickson said, adding that the students’ help is greatly appreciated. 

Specht said he appreciates working with and getting to know veterans from multiple generations. He said he is a small piece in the puzzle of addressing veterans’ needs, but dispersing resources and informing veterans of their resources is rewarding work. 

“I really like for our Bobcat nursing students to have the opportunity to interact with veterans.” Mendius said. “Being exposed to and learning about different populations and their health care needs ultimately makes students better nurses, more compassionate and more informed.” 

BOZEMAN – Montana’s general hunting season has reached the midpoint this week with steady hunter numbers and mixed success rates as recorded at game check stations in southwestern Montana.

Wildlife biologists with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks use check stations to collect data on hunter participation and success, as well as the species, sex and age class of the animals harvested. This supplements data collected through hunter harvest phone surveys each year.

On Nov. 4 and 5, biologists operated four check stations in the region and met with 995 hunters. Those hunters collectively harvested five white-tailed deer, 26 mule deer and 36 elk, among other species. Most areas had relatively mild weather over the weekend.

The Alder check station saw 235 hunters and a success rate of 11.4 percent. The long-term averages for the third weekend at this check station are 234 hunters and a success rate of 14 percent.

The Cameron check station saw 377 hunters, 5.3 percent of whom were successful. The long-term averages for the third weekend at this check station are 344 hunters and a success rate of 8.4 percent.

The Divide check station saw 165 hunters, 11.5 percent of whom were successful. The long-term averages for the third weekend at this check station are 214 hunters and a success rate of 6.9 percent.

The Mill Creek check station saw 218 hunters and a success rate of 2.2 percent. The long-term averages for the third weekend at this check station are 197 hunters and a success rate of 4.2 percent.

These figures do not account for different hunting season regulations over the years, which have varied from liberal to restrictive for elk and mule deer, depending on population status.

Be bear aware

FWP reminds hunters that bears will remain active throughout the general season, and hunters should be prepared for bear encounters. Montana is bear country. Grizzly bear populations continue to become denser and more widespread in Montana, increasing the likelihood that residents and recreationists will encounter them in more places each year.

People who hunt in places that have or may have grizzly bears—which includes areas of Montana west of Billings—should take special precautions:

• Carry bear spray and practice to be prepared to use it immediately.
• Look for bear sign and be cautious around creeks and areas with limited visibility.
• Hunt with a group of people. Making localized noise can help alert bears to your presence.
• Be aware that elk calls and cover scents can attract bears.
• Bring the equipment and people needed to help field dress game and remove the meat from the kill site as soon as possible.
• If you need to leave part of the meat in the field during retrieval, hang it at least 10 feet off the ground and at least 150 yards from the gut pile. Leave it where it can be observed from a distance of at least 200 yards.
• Upon your return, observe the meat with binoculars. If it has been disturbed or if a bear is in the area, leave and call FWP.

For more information and resources on bear safety, visit fwp.mt.gov/bear-aware.