Traditional bowmaker is featured artist at Ninepipes Museum
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News from the Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana
NINEPIPE – Traditional bowmaker Jim Rempp will be the featured artist at Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana on Saturday, Aug. 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rempp is a well-respected craftsman who uses Native American methodology to create self-bows (bows made entirely from one piece of wood). Hailing originally from Nevada, Rempp lived in Hawaii as a teenager. There he developed a love for wood while carving his own surfboards, both long and short. It was in Hawaii, under the tutelage of Japanese carpenters, that he learned about the properties of various woods and developed his mastery of handwork. Since the age of 5, Rempp has been a hunter and developed a fascination for archery. After moving to Montana in 1980, and since retiring in 2009, Rempp has built over 1,000 bows. His bows are designed to shoot straight and smoothly, and yet some find their place of honor on collectors’ walls to be admired. Weather permitting, Rempp will bring his vise and a few files and be at work constructing a self-bow during his time at the museum on Saturday. Or he may be enjoying a cup of hot coffee and a conversation with visitors. Stop by and enjoy a visit with Jim and view his beautiful bows.
The museum is grateful to Rempp for his participation in the “First Saturday” artists program, and appreciates the fact he will provide a demonstration for children from the Boys and Girls Club of the Flathead Reservation and Lake County’s summer program. Children from the Boys and Girls Club have been enjoying various projects on Friday afternoons from 1-3 p.m. at the museum, and on August 14, Jim will conduct a bow-making demonstration, along with Mission Valley resident and gift shop personnel, Marty Stammers. Pat Jamieson, a wildlife biologist has been conducting a series of workshops for the children in July, and upcoming participants include Geno Harper (cowboy poet/balladeer), Donna Cheff with a storytelling project, and Clara Charlie and Sheena Shaw wrap up the summer program on August 21 with Salish dance demonstrations and stick games.
The museum is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and welcomes group tours. Call 406-644-3435 for information.