Official Guide to Art Week Great Falls, Montana March 15th-19th, 2023
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1092595
26 • portfolio Great Western Living & Design Show Showcases Montana Roots the great western living and design show T By Denise Czuprynski his year's Great Western Living & Design Exhibition has strong roots. Not only is it one of the largest exhibitions of Montana artisans, it's also tied closely to the heritage of Montana's indigenous people. Of the 70 or more vendors, nearly 25 feature Native American culture, including many individual Blackfeet artists. Friday night's entertainment features a Native American dancing and drumming performance by the Missouri River Dance Company and a native flute player. Added educational programming will speak to Native American challenges. Still, visitors will experience everything from leather beadwork and rustic furniture, to hand woven table runners, wooden bowls and spoons, and other functional items. "This is the only show in town with this much diversity in products," says show organizer Chuck Fulcher, who likens this show to Cowboy Christmas in Las Vegas, though on a Great Falls scale. "We have knife dealers, people who deal in steel, jewelry, as well as wood turners and metal artists." But this is just the tip of the glacier. You will also find raw material furniture, gemstone jewelry, wine barrel furniture, copper metal art, vintage Indian dolls, wood carvings, and, of course, oils, acrylics, and sculptures. Tired of the cold this past winter? Look for Bozeman's Montana Bison Fashion and Furs, a first-time exhibitor this year, who offers blankets, bison baggy beanies, fur headbands, and finger-free mitts. Ernie Apodaca, based in Seattle, is a Blackfoot native from Browning, His handcrafted leather furniture reflects his heritage. "I love creating one-of-a-kind pieces," says Apodaca. His work includes sofa tables with inlaid turquoise, leather couches with intricate Western tooling, buffalo hide chairs, and even an occasional piece integrating portions of a Totem pole. He recently completed a commissioned job for the Pendleton company's main office in Portland and enjoys working directly with the customer on tailoring pieces that meet individual needs. Talk to Apodaca and he will detail the love and care that goes into each piece. "This is the best foam, it has great density," noting that he guarantees his furniture foam for life. He enjoys every aspect of the process, as he considers the springs, lumbar, pitch, wood framing,