Upon completion of MSU’s Graphic Design program, Tate Chamberlin had a vision which would later evolve into the Gallatin Art Crossing in downtown Bozeman. “Artists need a good platform to market themselves,” Chamberlin says, and that’s where he came into play for over twenty artists. In college, Chamberlin recalls that his friends were very talented artists, but were not so good at marketing themselves and selling their work. In 2008, the Gallatin Art Crossing was born and started out with five pieces.

Five years later, the project has evolved into over 50 pieces around downtown Bozeman. Chamberlin says that the project has seen some “pretty explosive growth” and has developed “into a really cool walking tour. It’s “been a strong grassroots organization” and has “expanded so much,” which Chamberlin credits to its Board of Directors.

Chamberlin’s goal for the project is to see 100 pieces between the library and the Emerson within 10 years of the project’s birth.

The Gallatin Art Crossing team approaches artists in order to expose them, market their work, and try to sell their piece. In exchange, the artist contributes a sustainable sculpture that will not require maintenance to be put on loan for a minimum of one year.
Chamberlin admits that the project is “getting a little beyond our financial scope.” He began a campaign to raise the necessary funds for the project to survive. The goal was to raise $10,000 by June 16, which was successful.

“We have a wonderful Board and so much energy,” Chamberlin says, and he doesn’t want money to be the only reason that the project cannot continue to thrive. “$10,000 is really not that much for 52 sculptures downtown,” Chamberlin says.

The money raised will help purchase the newest piece in the collection: Ole Nelson’s “Fish Face.” It will also help to build a kiosk for the project, and fund the new Web site development, which Chamberlin has high hopes for. The Web site will have a mobile tour for Smart phones, making the entire project more interactive. The Web site will be up and running by the beginning of August, Chamberlin says.

Chamberlin says that the community has been very supportive of the project, which was “made to get an uninvolved population into the arts.” Chamberlin didn’t want a “stuffy” feel to his project; he wanted to make art more accessible to folks and to add more art to the city.
Chamberlin continues to move forward with the marketing end of the project, working on the Web site and continuing to seek out new artists and pieces.

“The celebration of the new art will be on July 21st at Soroptimist Park, and will include a silent auction to raise more funds for the project, live music and tours,” Chamberlin announces. The park is located at East Main Street and Rouse Avenue, and the reception is free and open to the public. The new piece is currently located at the park, and will remain there for at least the next year as part of the project and tour.

To download a map of the project or to donate to the campaign, visit Gallatin Art Crossing for more information.

Jamie Kujawa lives, works, and recreates in Bozeman. Most days she’s swimming, biking, or running as she prepares for a full Ironman in August.