Art show held in Plains, Hot Springs

Artists and art lovers from all over Sanders County made their way to the Clark Fork Valley Hospital for the Art on the Walls Exhibit, which was installed Friday, Oct. 1. The reception held there honored the work of the 10 local artists who were featured in the show, and also recognized supporters of the arts within the community.

The event was organized by Joy Nelson, who is a member of the Sanders County Arts Council. For her, seeing the event unfold was very rewarding.

“I was really pleased with the show,” Nelson said.

The event was organized as not only a venue for local artists to display their works, but also as a fundraiser for the hospital. Works were marked with a price at the discretion of the artist, and will remain on sale for the duration of the showing, which is three months. Sales of the works is handled by the hospital, and a portion the proceeds go to fund hospital programs.

Joining Nelson in organizing the event were Arlene Littlefield and Virginia Fortner, both of whom exhibited several works of art at the show.

This event was also held in conjunction with an art show held in Hot Springs at the Wall Street Gallery. This event was put on by the Hot Springs Art Society, and exhibited the work of two artists from Kalispell, Barb Abbott and Lois Sturgis. It was organized largely through the efforts of Marla Brown Robbins, who also participated in the Art on the Walls event in Plains. Robbins was impressed with the level of interest she saw for the event.

“For our little town, we got a lot of support,” Robbins said.

Between Sturgis and Abbott, over 30 works were on display at the Hot Springs exhibition. Though Sturgis works mostly in watercolors, Abbott was able to bring some of her works in acrylics and oils to the event.

Robbins approached both women after having met them at a juried show, which she held last year. She suggested that the two work together to put on a show, and they both agreed.

For Sturgis, who began working with watercolors as a hobby, the event provided a great opportunity.

“It’s nice to have a show of your own,” Sturgis said.

Nelson felt that collaborating on the two art events was a good opportunity for art enthusiasts from both communities.

“ It gave us the chance to spread the love around,” Nelson said, “and it helped promote both projects.”

Nelson was also impressed with the level of support she got from members of the Hot Springs Art Society at the Art on the Walls event.

“There was a really good turnout from the Hot Springs group,” Nelson said.

Robbins also enjoyed the chance for the two groups to collaborate. She felt that this was a great opportunity for success for all involved.

“It just takes working together,” Robbins said.

For Nelson, a great reward of this event is the impact it has on the hospital and the community at large. She stated that the gallery is a centerpiece of the hospital, and is often used as a part of physical therapy sessions, as a way to get patients motivated about walking around.

Nelson is already looking forward to the student show, which is held in the gallery at the hospital, and is scheduled for Jan. 24. At this point, she is working on garnering student applications, and is encouraging students from all over and at all skill levels to apply. 

Robbins is also looking to the future, and is preparing for her upcoming Animeals Art Show. The purpose of this event is to raise funds for Animeals, an organization that feeds pets in need. To reflect this cause, all for the arts and crafts submitted to this show must have something to do with cats. This show will begin with a reception in the middle of November, and will go through December.

For both Nelson and Robbins, the key to the success of these events is rooted in enjoyment, both for artist, but for art lovers as well.

“I enjoy it enough to want to see it grow,” Robbins said.