Senior Scholarship Since 1995, Alpine Artisans has been honored to award 17 scholarships totaling nearly $10,000 to Seeley-Swan students pursuing a higher education in the arts. Nurturing the artistic abilities of our youth has been Alpine Artisans’ promise to the community. A former scholarship recipient enrolled at the Art Institute of Seattle affirms our goal as evidenced with this note she recently sent to AAI:
“In a cozy, woodsy town, the arts can thrive, but they can seem unattainable to young artists.The gap between the master artist and the student feels like a river too great to leap. The Alpine Artisans provide an avenue of hope.I hope that the Alpine Artisans continue to inspire youth and adults alike to participate in the arts."
Our 2008 Senior Scholarship Recipient Alpine Artisans' annual high school scholarship, in the amount of $1,000, was awarded in May 2007 to Breana Johnson, a Seeley-Swan High School graduate. Breana will be attending the University of Montana, Missoula this fall. She is a gifted vocalist and hopes to attend Belmont University School of Music after two years of study as a business major at the U of M. At Seeley Swan High School she participated in drama productions, choir, and the varsity dance and cheerleading team. Her academic work was excellent: Breana was her class salutatorian and a member of the National Honor Society. In addition, this wonderful young woman has generously volunteered her time and her talents to the Lion’s Club, the Fire Department and her church and community. Alpine Artisans is pleased to grant her this scholarship. Best Wishes, Breana!
Youth Grants Awarded
The Alpine Artisans scholarship committee awarded two Youth Grants for the summer of 2008.
Rachel Wilcox was granted funds to help defray the cost of attending a dance camp in Lewiston, Idaho. With AAI’s assistance, Rachel attended this camp last year.She studied a number of different varieties of dance and gained insight into techniques of dance instruction.Rachel volunteers regularly to work with younger children at the elementary school and at her church and she plays the jimby drum with a music team.She hopes to be able to lead youth dance classes in the future.
Jeremiah Rittel received Youth Grant support to attend the International Music Camp held at the International Peace Garden on the border between North Dakota and Manitoba. This is Jeremiah’s 6th year of attending band camp. In 2007, he was honored by the teaching staff with the Outstanding Male Musician Award. Jeremiah will be a senior at Hellgate High School this fall. He has been selected for the National Honor Society, Montana All-State Band, All-northwest Band, and the leadership position of Drum major. Additionally, Jeremiah plays in the Missoula Youth Symphony, the Wind Ensemble, the Symphonic Band, and enjoys track and field and ultimate Frisbee.
Many thanks to all the Alpine Artisans who donated to the scholarship fund making it possible for our organization to nurture the development of artistic talent in local young people.Thanks also to scholarship committee members Colleen Nicholson, Jerry Swanson, Heinz Eisinger, Larry Deeds and Sue Cushman!
The Artmobile Returns To Our Schools
Alpine Artisans delights in bringing the Artmobile of Montana to the Seeley-Swan Valleys each year. This traveling art exhibit consists of 2 dozen pieces of original art by Montana artists. The artwork is set up at each school in a gallery fashion. Salley Williamson, the presenter, is a trained artist and she entertains and engages the students in a detailed discussion of the ideas behind the art, the types of materials used, and the nature of the artistic experience.
On April 16th, Salley visited the Swan Valley School and the Seeley Lake Elementary School.After the presentation, she led a hands-on art project at each school. The children, as well as the adults from the community who came, had a wonderful time. Thanks go out to the Bob and Sue Cushman for hosting Salley, Alan Taylor and his crew for helping her set up, Roberta Stroden for creating a wonderful box lunch for our guest, Betty Vanderwielen for taking photos and everyone else who lent a hand. Over the whole day, approximately 60 students and 20 adults had a chance to enjoy the art! The Artmobile of Montana is an innovative, art-outreach model of education that provides access to high quality, original art exhibits and art instruction to rural schools. The artwork is loaned by artists for the duration of one school year. The Artmobile shows examples of different styles, media, and techniques for both two-dimensional and three- dimensional art.
For more information contact Martha Swanson at 793-5706.
Salley Williamson shows students a painting
Martha Swanson explaining bowl construction
Student points to a painting at the Artmobile display
'Awesome Art' A YMCA Project
Alpine Artisans returned to the Seeley Lake Elementary School one week later to assist at the YMCA after school program.The students had an ‘early-out’ day and over 20 showed up to make “Bill Harley art’. Courtesy of Vicki Vogelin, the kids had Bill Harley cds to listen to and then they plunged into paint and glue and glitter to make artwork which will adorn the stage and walls at the upcoming Bill Harley concert, May 4th. The after school program is usually run by Lynn Piacenti and Sandy Bohlmann, but Wednesday April 23rd they found 8 Alpine Artisans at their service. They enjoyed watching the kids create wonderful designs for ‘bubble art’ and work on a mural. By the time the young ones were getting tired, Rich Morgan sent their imaginations racing again as he shared his expertise in animation art with them! Thanks to everyone who volunteered to help out!
Marcy Zeitz and an assistant
Pat Christianson and painters busy at work
Rich Morgan with an interested group
A finished product - cool eyeglasses
5th Grade Field Trip to the Missoula Art Museum Alpine Artisans is proud to underwrite a yearly trip to the Missoula Art Museum for the fifth graders of the Seeley-Swan.This year, 25 students traveled to Missoula on April 1st.
The students had the opportunity to visit three exhibits before their art activity. The lead exhibit was a display of pottery by David Shaner, a Montanan considered one of the leading ceramic artists of the late 20th century. “Rhythms of Life” is an impressive collection of a wide variety of his artistic pottery.The photographs of Holly Andres, who had herself, visited MAM as a 5th grader (a fact not lost on our students!) were exhibited in “Stories From a Short Street”. This exhibit consisted of staged photographs representing memories from Holly’s childhood as the youngest in a family of 10. The Native American gallery featured the artistic beadwork of Molly Murphy, a Lakota Sioux living in Great Falls. The students were very attracted to the vibrant colors and delicacy of her work.
The day’s art activity was led by Shalene Valenzuela, a ceramic artist from California.The students were in awe when she threw a pot and were delighted when they were given some clay, which they could work, and later bake in an ordinary oven.
Alpine Artisans’ Pat and Jeff Aresty and Jerry Swanson accompanied the 5th graders and their teachers. Jerry said that the trip is “without a doubt very worthwhile.You witness the element of surprise and discovery and it is wonderful to see the kids learning with their eyes!”
Alpine Artisans visit Junior High School As the brilliant afternoon sunshine of February 20, 2008 presented promise of Spring, seven Alpine Artisans made their way to the Junior High wing of Seeley Lake Elementary School to encourage area students to explore the arts.
Groups of nine 7th and 8th graders traveled to artists' stations in a 2-hour period. A master potter, an oil painter, a stained glass artist, a dollmaker, a sculptor and several woodworkers all showcased their artwork and answered questions on how they learned their craft, how often and long they work at it, and whether they make their living in the arts. In other words, the students were full of questions and the artists enjoyed sharing their passion.
The school visit was the brainchild of art teacher and AAI member Patti Barlett. She was assisted by teachers Michele Holmes, Bev Evans and Chris Stout. Everyone involved was inspired and excited by the connections established between the artists, students and teachers.
Rich Morgan explains plein aire painting to 7th and 8th grade students.
Bob and Ruth Korn share their pottery expertise with students.
Student Mentorship Program Each year, high school seniors are required to do a project as a capstone to their high school studies.This is a year-long project whereby students research a topic of their interest with a final presentation to their peers and community members.Alpine Artisans members have been active in this program for a number of years. Most recently, AAI member Georgina Staggs mentored Angel Parcell with her stained glass project.Angel plans to become an orthodontist but is interested in stained glass, a hobby at which she obviously is quite talented as evidenced by the photo above where she is holding her project.Some might recognize Angel as one of the student volunteers who helped serve hors d’oeurvres at the 2007 Wine and Chocolate Social and Art Auction.Great job, Angel!
Alpine Artisans, Inc. P.O. Box 841 Seeley Lake, MT 59868 (406) 793-5706
