Art show to feature local artist

Local artists from across the region will assemble at two collaborating art events in Plains and Hot Springs, both of which will be held on Oct. 6.

The event in Plains is called the “On the Wall Arts Exhibition,” and will take place at the Clark Fork Valley Hospital. This year marks the event’s fourth year and was started as a way to not only bring recognition to local artists, but to bring artistic works to the hospital for patients to enjoy and to support the hospital through fundraising. The event is organized by Plains resident Joy Nelson of the Sanders County Arts Council.

Ten artists from across Sanders County will be bringing 54 pieces of artwork to the show, and will range from works done in acrylics and watercolors to works in photography.

As part of the event, artists have the option to denote any of their exhibited works as for sale. A portion of these proceeds goes back to the hospital, as a way to support their care programs. According to Nelson, the hospital auxiliary manages the sales of the works.

Works shown at the event will also be judged by a panel of three jurors, and will be recognized during the artist reception.

The Plains event will begin at 5 with an artist’s reception, and will continue until 6:30 p.m. At this time, art enthusiasts will be encouraged to make their way to the Hot Springs art show. This event is organized by local artist and Hot Springs resident Marla Robin through her work as part of the Hot Springs Art Society. This event, which will begin at 6 p.m., is intended to highlight the works of two artists, Lois Sturgis and Barb Abbott, both from the Kalispell region.

In addition to organizing the event, Robin also contributed works of art to the Plains art event, working both as an organizer and an artistic contributor.

Upon realizing that the Sanders County Arts Council and the Hot Springs Arts Society had scheduled events within the same time frame, Nelson suggested that the two groups work together and collaborate with one another.

“Why not get together and make an event of it?” Nelson said.

Robin and Nelson worked out the times for each event so that attendees would have a chance to support both events.

“This way, it meets the needs of so many people,” Nelson said.

Returning to the Plains event is local artist and Plains resident Rachel Gonzalez. Gonzalez has been living in Plains for 21 years, and started painting long before she moved here. She began in art at a young age, drawing for others in school. Then, marriage and a family took most of her time, and she put art aside. But when her last son graduated from high school, Gonzalez decided to take up painting again.

Gonzalez says that most of her works are landscapes and are inspired by the wilderness. She paints landscapes on several different mediums, from traditional canvasses to rocks or saw blades.

“My husband said, ‘If you hold still too long, she’ll paint you,’” Gonzalez said.

As a self-taught artist, Gonzalez finds herself learning from every painting she creates. However, she paints for enjoyment, and rarely seeks to sell her work.

“I’m not a salesman,” Gonzalez said, “I’m an artist.”

Her son, Andrew Gonzalez, will be participating in the hospital’s art show for the first time, and will be exhibiting his works of photography.

Andrew Gonzalez first began in photography in high school during his work on the class yearbook. After enjoying this first introduction, Andrew kept at photography through the years as a hobby, which he found fit well with having a family.

Currently, Andrew shoots mostly landscapes, having been inspired by the scenery of the Clark Fork Valley.

Andrew got involved in the Plains art event last year, when he helped his mother bring her works to the show. Nelson learned of his photography, and invited him to submit his works.

For Andrew, the event presents the opportunity not only to support the local art scene, but the chance to share his art with others, something he otherwise might not have had the chance to do.

“It’s a good chance for me to let other people enjoy what I’ve done,” Andrew said.