Winston Publishing

portfolio • 51 studio 706 artist guild show rtist Pablo Picasso wrote, "e purpose of art is to wash the dust of daily life off our souls." e Studio 706 Artists Guild is holding an exhibit for you to dust away daily life and to purchase from a stunning array of artwork available at this year's event. If your heart is set on a piece of art for the home or a unique gi with creative flair, you will not be disappointed with the selection of wood carvings, bronze sculptures, stained glass, jewelry, acrylics, oils, embroidery art, photography, watercolors, cards, and more – all created by a talented group of artists. Area artists taking part in the exhibition include Melissa Frey, Margaret Hayes, Bonnie Seaburg, Steve Tilleraas, Diana McClaran, Darlene Sanford, Barbara Chigbrow, Alana Hastings, Sherry Tuss, Linda Nelson, Gerald Hinton, and Jack Spinner. New to the show this year is wood crasman Gerald Hinton. Using reclaimed natural materials, Hinton creates functional artistic furniture. Each piece he creates tells a story. While he does commission pieces, he likes leing each piece guide him to the finish. Hinton's work has garnered multiple master-level first place ribbons over the years. Sherry Tuss is a returning Great Falls artist, longtime member, and current president of the Studio 706 Art Guild. Raised in Montana, Tuss is a realistic watercolor artist whose paintings reflect a love for Montana's natural beauty and picturesque landscapes. Tuss teaches watercolor lessons and has a business creating Pet Portraits for people who have lost their beloved four-legged friends or want a portrait of them to hang where they can oen view it. Bonnie Seaburg has an eye for the unusual and recently discovered a unique way to foster her creative talents. She first selects round, smooth rocks that she usually sees on her walks—or in friends' landscaping—and then paints images on the rocks using an intricate dot painting technique with acrylic. Both artists belong to the Studio 706 Guild, which was founded in 1997 when Bill and Barb Chigbrow purchased a residence at 706 Seventh Avenue South (hence the name) and converted it into an artists' club where members could meet, hold classes, and work on their art. e non-profit organization has grown to include over 75 members working across a vast array of materials, processes, and subject maer. Art education remains one of the primary goals, and each spring, the group selects a Cascade County senior pursuing education in the arts for the Bill Chigbrow Memorial scholarship. Students competing for this scholarship have their art on display during Western Art Week at Studio 706's venue: the Gibson Room at Mansfield Center for the Performing Art. Proceeds from sales during this year's show go towards funding the memorial scholarship. e guild meets at the Senior Citizen Center monthly and offers a wide variety of opportunities to fellow artists, including mentoring, classes, and opportunities for exhibiting and selling their work. ose considering joining such a group are welcome to visit and become a guild member. "In fact, we are actively recruiting new members," said Linda Nelson, who is this year's show coordinator. Studio 706 Artists Guild Spring Show Local Artists Share Talent While Supporting Up-and-Coming Artisans By Suzanne Waring Studio 706 Artists Guild Spring Show Event Schedule Thursday, March 17 Meet the Artists | 5-9pm Friday, March 18 Show Opens | 10am-8pm Saturday, March 19 Show Opens |10am-7pm Great Falls Civic Center (downtown) Second Floor, Gibson Room 2 Park Drive South Studio 706 Artists Guild Spring Show Artists Barbara Chigbrow Melissa Frey Alana Hastings Margaret Hayes Gerald Hinton Diana McClaran Linda Nelson Darlene Sanford Bonnie Seaburg Jack Spinner Steve Tilleraas Sherry Tuss Sherry Tuss - A Gentle Snow on the Butte • 11" x 14" Watercolor Bonnie Seaburg - Images on Rocks • Intricate Dot Painting Acrylic A

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