Official Guide to Art Week Great Falls, Montana March 15th-19th, 2023
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1533210
portfolio THE GREAT WESTERN SHOW Where Tradition Meets Trailblazing Creativity The Great Western Art Show By Colter Pedersen portfolio • 47 Deep in the heart of Montana, the Pacific Steel Arena at Montana ExpoPark transforms into a modern frontier, hosting e Great Western Art Show—a magnificent fusion of four distinct exhibitions under one expansive roof. With a keen eye for the region's rugged creative spirit, Chuck Fulcher orchestrates this art rodeo like a seasoned trail boss, dely melding the Great Western Living and Design Show—where fashion, furniture, jewelry, fine art, and artisanal cras collide—into a singular, electrifying celebration of Western artistry. Fulcher, a celebrated fine artist and stalwart of Western Art Week, set his sights on broadening the creative horizon by welcoming non-traditional talents into the mix. "Oil, acrylic, and sculpture are what you see at most art auctions, but there are so many talented people out there that work in metal, fur, and jewelry," Fulcher proclaims. With genuine Western candor, he continues, "I love people who think outside the box. A painting is a painting, is a painting. And believe me, I'm saying that about myself. But somebody that can take material and make something else out of it? Fantastic! With a pioneering spirit, Fulcher set out to create a more inclusive space for Western art—a vision that has flourished into the show's 13th year. What began with a modest 45 booths has now exploded to 235, boldly spilling into the arena's front entryway and onto the balcony for the first time. Adding to the local flavor, Willie's Distillery will be on hand at two locations, serving up the best Montana spirits. e main araction, however, is the direct interaction between artist and admirer. Fulcher explains, "You come to a show like this, you can sit and talk to the artist. You can come back 3 days in a row and talk with them. You can sit in the chair. You can hold the fabric. You can bring a picture of your room and say, 'I would like a piece made for that space right there.' at stuff you can't get anywhere else." With a steady hand and a keen eye, Joe Kronenberg adds the final touches to their masterpiece, capturing the essence of the West at The Great Western Art Show.