Winston Publishing

P.32 ~ PORTFOLIO > w i l d b u n c h a r t s h o w THE "WILD BUNCH" ART SHOW Take Notice of Non-Traditional Artwork, Too TEXT BY AMY JOYNER M any artists in the Wild Bunch Art Show take pride in being non-traditional, says A. Nadine Pickthorn, founder and manager of the show open in 2017 for its eighth year. "Yes, we show traditional paintings, many of those on non-tra- ditional surfaces - rocks, wood, copper. And there are jewelry and sculptures. We have almost everything – from wildlife and western, to stuff you would see in an antique shop," Pickthorn says. She volunteers her time to organize the show, which includes venue planning at The Hampton Inn and being the solo person to jury-in the show's 16 to 20 artists each year. Pickthorn has been involved in the Great Falls spring art shows for 27 years, says the Wild Bunch has long been on the list of must-see shows in Great Falls. "Our event is simply an art show, without distractions from the artists and their work. …Our artists are known for being down-to-Earth, friendly and great visitors," she adds. "It's Western Art Week in Great Falls, Mont.; it's the place to be," she adds, saying enthusi- asm is spread by each Wild Bunch artist that she has juried into the show. One new artist added this year is Ron Adamson, an award-winning Libby artist who creates wood carvings and bronze sculp- tures. Pickthorn says, "He is western; he focuses on Native American faces and really strong subject material. …Some are mammoth-sized pieces. Our show needed more of that." Artists, who now include Abramson, lead the show's energy, and each year draw back repeat visitors who add to the energy of the show, Pickthorn adds. "It's amazing what the artists do, and we have a fantastic group of attendees." Not just the show planner, Pickthorn is also a favored Western Art Week wildlife painter who chooses non-traditional items on which to apply her art. "I paint on rocks," Pickthorn says. "It sounds so tacky… but those are some of my best sellers. They are highly collectible, and I sell out every year." New this year for show sponsors only is a kick-off pre-show sale at 4 p.m., Wednesday. Each sponsor who makes an art purchase there draws for a voucher valued at a minimum of $50 to be used buying additional artwork at the 2017 Wild Bunch show. "Spon- sors can wine and dine, purchase art and can receive money to buy more. It's a brand new concept for us this year," Pickthorn added. In addition to the long-time sponsors, anyone paying $100 to attend the pre-show becomes a new sponsor and enjoys all the benefits of early shopping and drawing for a voucher sale. THE WILD BUNCH ART SHOW EVENT SCHEDULE Wed., March 15, 2017 • 4 p.m.: Preshow for sponsors only • 5-10 p.m.: Grand Opening Reception for general public; Artist exhibits open Thurs.-Sat., March 16-18 • 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.: Exhibit rooms open Hampton Inn, 2301 14th St SW LEFT: Original Wood Carving, Ron Adamson. RIGHT: Original Wood Carving, Ron Adamson

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