46 • portfolio
ith the tagline "Local Artists
Involved in Art Education" the
members of Studio 706 Artist Guild
gather in a shared desire to educate
themselves and others as they pursue
their artistic goals. Steve Tilleraas, who
joined 706 some sixteen years ago,
says, "What we do is provide a place
to have meetings and art classes."
As a club, it means the members
specialize in the art form of their
choosing. This creates a variety of
artforms that, this year, includes
jewelry, water colors, acrylic, oil
painting, stained glass, clay art,
embroidery, mixed media, and wood
carving. "For any kind of artistic
endeavor, we follow some principles
in designing the artwork and after
that…it's to each their own. People all
have their opinion as to what's good,"
Tilleraas says.
Studio 706 was founded by Bill and
Barb Chigbrow. When Bill Chigbrow
retired, he wanted to spend time
creating more art. So he and his
wife purchased the house at 706 7th
Avenue South in Great Falls and turned
it into a club. Today, the Bill Chigbrow
Memorial Scholarship is awarded
to a high school senior in Cascade
County who intends to continue
their art education. Students who
are competing for this have their art
displayed during Western Art Week
at Studio 706's venue: the Gibson
Room at Mansfield Center for the
Performing Art.
Studio 706 Artist Guild
Join the Club!
By Heather Bode
studio
706
artist
guild
show
W
"Purple Irises" 11" x 14"
Watercolor By Bonnie Seaburg
"Peeking" 11"x 14" Watercolor By Sherry Tuss
