Winston Publishing

40 • portfolio Wild Bunch Art Show Lively and Spicy with lots of Variety wild bunch art show I March 20 Exhibit Rooms Open 5-8pm March 21 Exhibit Rooms Open 10am-8pm March 22 Exhibit Rooms Open 10am-8pm March 23 Exhibit Rooms Open 10am-8pm Hampton Inn • 2301 14th Street SW Wild Bunch Art Show Event Schedule f variety is the spice of life, then that's precisely what you will find at the Wild Bunch Art Show at the Hampton Inn during Western Art Week. Show founder and organizer, Nadine Pickthorn says, "Embracing variety and change is one way to stay out of the same old rut," referring to her diverse list of artists participating in this year's show. "We have professional artists who have been creating art for over fifty years as well as beginning artists that are new to Western Art Week.," Pickthorn says. After being an exhibiting artist at the CM Russell Show for 27 years, Pickthorn decided it was time to try her hand at her own show. In order to stand out in a crowd of art shows open during Western Art Week in Great Falls, she turned to the history of Montana and the old west to come up with the name of her show. Not wanting to sound too high-brow, but also wanting to communicate the style of the show, Pickthorn went with Wild Bunch. While the original Wild Bunchers were gun-slinging cowboy outlaws, Pickthorn says you will see no spurs and chaps here. Outlaws are replaced by outstanding artists that are as varied as the landscapes of the wild western frontier. The Wild Bunch is made up of Pickthorn's returning core artists as well as newcomers she's chosen to add variety and a lot of spice. From well-known woodcarvers, to pencil art, pottery, stone and wood sculptures, jewelry, bronzes, and paintings, it can't get much rowdier. Pickthorn is a firm believer in the value of diversity and her show reflects that with a mixture of professional artists who have been creating art for more than fifty years. "We have three woodcarvers, all with different subjects and styles varying from artist, Connie Tveten's beautiful and realistic birds to Ken Acton's intricate wildlife scenes plus Denny Tramden's hand sculpted art bowls," says Pickthorn. New to the Wild Bunch this year is full-time artist and sculptor Janet Moczar-Buti. She uses her love and knowledge of animals to create unique and truly original designs. From pencil sketching, to pastels, oils and sculpture, the spirit and power of her subjects is evident in everything she creates. "I believe that in the cut and paste world which we live today, original artwork is like a breath of fresh air, changing along with the lighting in a home or office By Ellie Stone throughout the day and you never tire of looking at them," says Moczar-Buti. Also new this year is Williston, North Dakota oil painter, Matt Doyle. Influenced by artists such as Robert Bateman, John Banovich, and Daniel Smith, Doyle says his creative focus is on wildlife. "I tend to gravitate towards big game animals because of their majestic qualities," he says. The Wild Bunch Art Show is in its 9th year at the Hampton Inn. Whether you come to check out the new artists or the new work of an old artist, this show is definitely worth your time. Janet Moczar-Buti

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