Art on the Walls returns to Clark Fork Valley Hospital

PLAINS – Original works of art and artistic photographs filled the hallways of the Clark Fork Valley Hospital in Plains as the third quarter of Art on the Walls kicked off.

On Thursday, June 26 the Sanders County Arts Council officially opened the summer show of Art on the Walls, welcoming the public to the opening night of the art show with a reception.

The summer session officially runs from June 26 through September 24.

The opening night reception was well attended and Joy Nelson of the Sanders County Arts Council received positive feedback following the event.

“People enjoyed seeing the art and hearing the live music,” Nelson said.

Nelson noted the show features works of art from artists throughout Sanders County.

Lisa French, who strummed on her guitar, while visitors took in the local works of art, greeted guests to the opening of the art show in the lobby of the entrance of the hospital.

The summer session of the quarterly art showing features adult artists from the county as opposed to the art show in the early months of the year, which displayed the works of art done by local students.

Nelson added the council hopes the art on display helps to make the days of those in the hospital a little easier.

“The art has its own healing power for patients and their families. It also can help the staff handle the stress that comes with working in a hospital,” Nelson said.

The opening reception also featured Russ Robbins of Hot Springs, who was on hand to display his handmade works.

Robbins brought with him a variety of creative pieces, including handmade lamps and an intricate carving of an old style blacksmith shop.

Many other artists from all corners of Sanders County were also featured at the opening reception including Valerie Curtiss, Rosa Dolson, Rachel Gonzalez, Gary Hensley, George Humeston, Crystal Kingston, Sun Honts Mann, Jina McHargue and Karen Thorson.

The first night of the event not only provided interested members of the public a chance to check out the local art, but an opportunity to meet the homegrown artists themselves, many of whom were on hand for the event Thursday evening.

Art on the Walls is currently in its seventh year, following its debut during a fall show several years ago in 2007.

The event was founded by Gayle Keeney, who after staying in the hospital, recovering from a case of pneumonia, noticed the walls were lit very well by track lighting, but had no decoration to take advantage of this scenario.

Shortly after her recovery, Keeney and a friend spoke with Barry Fowler of the Clark Fork Valley Hospital Foundation and got the ball rolling for the first annual Art on the Walls showing in autumn of 2007.

The artists taking part in the show provided an impressive array of works with watercolors, acrylic and oil paintings decorating the interior halls of the hospital.

The photographers who displayed their work for the hospital’s show also consisted of a variety of unique styles. Their artistic works on display included photos on canvas, silk screens and traditional photography.

Nelson pointed out the Art on the Walls shows do not have themes that the artists must adhere to.

“The art council feels it is more important to feature what the artists want to do,” Nelson said.

The absence of a specific theme for the event helped foster the wide variety of art  work on display at this quarter’s show.