This weekend, Beall Park Recreation Center will be home to Montana’s first-ever Crankie Fest, produced by Random Acts of Silliness.  A crankie is an ancient story telling device, consisting of a moving panoramic art scroll accompanied by music or a story. The scroll is cranked to move the story along, hence the name crankie. The crankie is an analog antidote to our fast-paced digital world. It enables intimate, slow, carefully crafted storytelling–and is utterly captivating. 

Our Crankie Fest will feature 10 original crankies with a mythical creature theme. Each piece was created by Montana artists including: Rachel Hergett, Kate Weiss, Eric Dymit & Fionn Mallon, Marissa Porte, Marla Goodman, the Tjernagel Family, Jill Logan, Grace Washko & Erin Corsi, Michelle Hall, and Cindy Owings.

The event will be headlined by internationally renowned crankie artist Katherine Fahey. Maryland based Fahey has mentored the Montana artists throughout  the creation of their crankies.

“Crankies bring together the visual arts and storytelling in an absolutely magical way.  Gallatin Valley audiences are going to be spellbound when they see what the artists have created.” said Danielle Thomsen, Executive Enchantment Director of Random Acts of Silliness.

The Mythical Creature Crankie Fest is presented in partnership with Bozeman Parks and Recreation and sponsored by the Yellowstone Club Community Foundation and Feed Cafe.

Due to limited capacity advanced tickets are required. The event is free with a suggested donation for those whose budget allows.

The Crankie Curious can preview some of the pieces and play with their own crankies at Wild Joe’s on May 4th from 4-6pm.

For more information and to reserve a spot visit the Mythical Creature Crankie Fest Page .