Winston Publishing

portfolio STUDIO 706 ARTIST GUILD By Colter Pedersen Studio 706 Guild Show Artists Bodner, Drew Hastings, Alana Hayes, Margaret Killebrew, Vera Nelson, Linda Seaburg, Bonnie Sanford, Darlene Teburg, Renee Tilleraas, Steve STUDIO 706 NURTURING CREATIVITY For years, the Studio 706 Artist Guild has quietly cultivated a space for local creativity in the Gibson Room of the Civic Center's second floor in downtown Great Falls. ough operating at a grassroots level, the annual exhibition showcases an eclectic mix of artistry, featuring roughly ten artists working across a variety of media, from woodcarving and jewelry to photography, watercolor, oil, and acrylics. is year, Vera Killebrew leads the guild as its president and brings her own evolving artistic journey to the show. Having recently transitioned from oil to acrylic, Killebrew finds inspiration in the natural world, oen venturing into local parks to photograph flowers before capturing their essence on canvas. "I love flowers," she says. "I think flowers are just amazing. I also like pictures that show a path back into the woods and things like that. Give it some depth." A familiar presence at the Studio 706 show each year, Steve Tilleraas is a multifaceted artist who works in both photography and acrylic painting. His artistic eye is drawn to the beauty of the natural world, particularly wildlife and dramatic landscapes. "I really like taking pictures of animals and birds, especially bluebirds, and then mountain scenes and waterfalls," he says. "I'm working on a painting now of a railroad trestle north of town on a cold winter day with the Highwood Mountains in the background." For the artists of Studio 706, the exhibition serves as both a showcase and a rare opportunity to sell their work. Tilleraas describes it as an accessible way for the public to collect original pieces. "It's one of those things where you don't want to quit your day job," he says with a laugh. Beyond his own artwork, Tilleraas adds an interactive element to the annual event with a scavenger hunt, inviting visitors to explore downtown Great Falls in search of specific works of art, primarily murals. Participants mark their findings on a form, which is then entered into a drawing for prize baskets—adding an engaging twist to the show's festivities. Beyond celebrating local artistry, the Studio 706 show serves a greater purpose—supporting the next generation of creatives. Each year, the guild awards a scholarship to a high school senior pursuing an art-related field in college. To fund this initiative, members sell raffle tickets for prizes generously donated by local businesses. e winning students' artwork will also be featured in the show, offering them a valuable platform to share their talent with the community. "It's a lot of work to put it together, but everyone really does their part," says Killebrew, emphasizing the collective effort behind the event. In addition to the exhibition, the guild will host beading workshops designed for children on Friday and Saturday, providing hands-on artistic experiences for young visitors. STUDIO 706 GUILD ART SHOW Event Schedule Thursday, March 20 Show Opens | 5 - 8 pm Meet the Artists Friday, March 21 Show Opens | 10 am - 7 pm Bead a Buddy Class • 1 pm Bead a Buddy Class • 3 pm Saturday, March 22 Show Opens |10 am - 7 pm Bead a Buddy Class • 1 pm Bead a Buddy Class • 3 pm Scholarship Raffle Drawing Can You Find It? Drawing 4 pm Great Falls Civic Center (downtown) Second Floor, Gibson Room 2 Park Dr. S. Vera Killbrew - Flower Garde • 8"x 8" Acrylic portfolio • 63 Visitors explore the Studio 706 Artist Guild exhibition, an intimate gathering of local talent in downtown Great Falls. A stunning display of local creativity reflecting the diverse talents showcased at the Studio 706 Artist Guild exhibition.

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