The Montana Institute of the Arts in Bozeman is now Southwest Montana Arts. The group has a membership of roughly one hundred members that meet monthly from September through May, taking time off from meetings June through August to conduct ‘paint out’ sessions at various locations every other week. The Montana Institute of the Arts was founded in 1948 with the stated purpose of “bringing together of persons interested in original and creative work, in teaching and in recreational use in the fields of the arts for mutual cooperation and stimulation.” As an arm of the original organization, the Bozeman chapter has flourished.

Southwest Montana Arts now meets at the Bozeman Public Library in the large community room at 9:30 am on the 3rd Monday of the month (September through May), with the exception of January and February when the library can be closed for federal holidays, thus moving the date. Each month a short business meeting is held, ‘art assignments’ given, viewing of last months’ assignments, and various speaker presentations given.   This years’ speakers have included Susan Blackwood speaking on critiquing, Taylor Lynde with a presentation on composition, and Curtis Tierney, owner of Tierney Fine Arts in Bozeman, discussing the business of art and art galleries. Greg Scheibel gave a painting demonstration and spoke on the fine points of plein air painting, Rein Gillstrom did a presentation on having fine art reproductions printed and Aprils’ program was D.G. House on the marketing of fine art. Mays’ program, on Monday, May 21st, will be Howard Friedland with a painting demonstration and speaking about the importance of proper ‘values’ in a painting.

Annual events for the Southwest Montana Arts include an annual juried art show that is held in July, with the show hanging in the atrium of the Bozeman Public Library for the month of July, and an annual Christmas party and the ‘spring swap’ where members bring in art supplies, frames, books, dvds’, etc. to sell to each other.

The upcoming summer paint outs are informal plein air sessions which are scheduled around the Gallatin Valley for members to meet and paint out together. Brown bag lunches and informal critique sessions can follow. September 11-13 the group will be hosting a workshop by Judy Greenberg, a watercolor painter. The cost is $200, and for more information contact Carol Moore at volvit@aol.com

Southwest Montana Arts exists to foster enthusiasm for the creation of art and to encourage members in their pursuit of a greater appreciation of art. Workshops are held to bring in the highest level of art instruction available. For more information please call Linda Williams at 406-586-1350.

Linda Williams is a free lance writer and painter who lives in Bozeman, Montana with her husband, the engraver, Gordon Alcorn.