Local artists find support
Karen Peterson photo
David Keast explains his scratchboard art to supporters at Hangin’ Art Gallery in Arlee.
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ARLEE – Sometimes being an artist is too difficult.
“I gave it up,” Mark Matthews said during a spring show hosted by the Killdeer Artisan’s Guild in the Hangin Art Gallery on Saturday.
Mark thought back to the day he gave up art 20 years ago. A winter storm with below-zero temperatures moved into Missoula. He was happily creating sculptures and living out of his truck before that day. The cold forced him to reconsider his life.
“I was homeless, so I gave up a thing I loved because I wasn’t making any money,” he said.
He moved on to find employment in various positions, including fighting fires, but the need to create returned a few years ago. He turned his Arlee home into an art studio and started shaping wood into different pieces inspired by nature and people.
“This one was inspired by a nun at the Buddhist center in Arlee,” he said looking at his sculpture displayed in the exhibit.
Twenty-three artists are displaying their art in the gallery. The work will remain for a few months and people can purchase it.
“Our mission is essentially to encourage artists and create a strong center for them to share their work,” said Marti De Alva, local photographer and vice president of the guild. She also has work displayed at the gallery.
The guild gives artists a place to connect and share their creations.
“There are so many artists that live in this region,” she said. “We want to help those artists. Art is a very important form of communication. It speaks about our experiences, where we live and where we come from. Art has a powerful way of enhancing our lives.”
St. Ignatius artist David Keast displayed his scratchboard and watercolor designs on the walls of the gallery.
“I spent years submerged in the wilderness and I’ve stored some incredible scenery in my mind,” he said. “I like seeing how those images develop in my work.”
Keast started sharing his work with the public 10 years ago.
“Being an artist is difficult, but this group really makes it easier,” he said. “They bring in the crowd to see the art, and they help us find other shows.”
Watercolor artist Gary LeDeau moved around the gallery with his walking stick, talking to artists and supporters during the event.
“I’ve met a lot of people through this,” he said of the guild. “The successful artists are nice to the new guys. It’s a good thing to have here for artists.”
