Two paintings missing from art on the walls

Danielle Switalski

Two paintings went missing from the Clark Fork Valley Hospital’s Art on the Walls display last Tuesday evening.

The paintings done by Hot Springs artist Marla Robbins, also known as ‘Ma Brown Robbins,’ were allegedly stolen sometime in the evening of Tuesday, November 3, according to Plains Police Chief Shawn Emmett.  Police were notified of the possible theft around 10 a.m. on Wednesday morning.  

Emmett said they have one lead in which the Police Department is looking into and they do not believe the paintings were stolen by anyone in the hospital.

“We weren’t surprised, but disappointed that somebody may have taken that, and we don’t know for sure if it was stolen, it’s just not there anymore,” said Barry Fowler, Director of Human and System Resources at the hospital.

Both of the paintings were done in acrylic.  The first painting is entitled “Cat’s Eye,” which is a 14 by 18 inch piece done on thin stone that has the picture of a cougar on it.  This painting was priced at $580.  The second missing painting, called “Grizzly,” was a 8 by18 inch piece framed under glass.  It is a feather painting of a Grizzly bear head portrait.  This piece was valued at the price of $150.

“I’m very surprised, because you don’t think about it in this small area and it’s sad we’re having more and more of that behavior which makes it tough on people to trust others,” said Robbins who does not have any idea who could have taken her paintings.

Emmett did not have information on how the paintings could have been stolen.  Direct entrance to ‘Art on the Walls’ is locked at night and people can leave from those doors but can not get in through them.  Although entrance to the E.R. is open 24 hours a day and the art can be reached from this entrance.

Emmett said if they catch someone who had stolen the paintings, they could face theft charges and jail time.

The ‘Art on the Walls’ has been around for the past three years and is put on by the hospital and the Sanders County Arts Council.  New paintings, including those of Robbins, were hung on the walls in the beginning of October.  The number of pieces hanging on the walls has increased in the past three years and runs down an entire hallway, turns the corner and goes down an adjacent hallway.

The hospital is not responsible for lost or stolen paintings, said Fowler, as it is simply a place for artists to display their works.

“It’s one of those things you do at your own risk, being at the hospital I was shocked that ever happened there because you don’t think about it happening there,” said Robbins.

Although Robbins is not expecting to get her paintings back, she is offering an award if someone comes forward with either of the paintings.

For now, Robbins said she is going to start keeping a better record of her works.  As she has been painting for a good 35 years now and has sold artwork all over the world.  She is particularly hoping to get her stone piece, “Cat’s Eye” back as it is a unique piece, which she thinks might have prompted the two pieces to be taken as they are both “different to the eye.”

If anyone has information regarding these two paintings please contact Police Chief Shawn Emmett at 829-5990.

For comments or questions email reporter@VP-MI.com.