The Montana Loon Society set up a table at the 2019 Loon and Fish Festival at the Seeley Lake Community Hall.
The festival hosted the work of over 30 local artists from the Blackfoot, Seeley and Swan Valleys.
Dona Aitken demonstrates her marquetry design at the 2019 Loon and Fish Festival. Aitken began marquetry because she wanted to create her own lamp designs.
Tamara Jordan of Lincoln, Mont. showcases her fiber art creations during an artist demonstration on Sunday afternoon.
Lisa Gibson (left) of Lincoln, Mont. explains her work with mixed media arts to a festival attendee. Gibson worked primarily with watercolors and colored pencils during her demonstration on Sunday.
A youth grant from Alpine Artists Inc. was awarded to Akaiah Valler of Lincoln, Mont. She will use the grant money to attend the Christian Youth Theater Camp in Spokane, Wash.
Donna Love with the Montana Loon Society (front) led a loon walk for 10 people Sunday morning. Here the group is approaching the viewing blind on the canoe trail just north of the Seeley Lake Ranger District. At they blind, they had the treat of seeing a nesting loon.
The Food Bank Soup Lunch was a popular attraction at the Loon and Fish Festival. Ten local restaurants donated the variety of soups for the luncheon. Volunteers served the soups (L-R): Jon Kimble, Lisa Hayhurst, Laura Kimble, Carrie Benton, and Tim Wilcox.
SEELEY LAKE - The Loon and Fish Festival returned after a six year hiatus and restored its roots at the Seeley Lake Community Hall Memorial Day weekend.
"I love the fact that we have so many artists that have such a diversity of their work," said Jenny Rohrer, Alpine Artists Inc. program manager. "This is the one time where you can see all the work from the artists."
But the festival wasn't always like this. The last few renditions of the Loon and Fish festival were hosted at the Seeley Lake Elementary School and featured more educational events such as films and speakers that focused more on nature than art.
"It actually morphed, and I don't know if it got away from us is the right word, but it became something else," said Gene Schade, AAI treasurer.
"It didn't necessarily draw the crowd we were looking for [the last few years]," added Rohrer. "We are very traditional this year."
This year, the festival hosted over 30 local artists from the Swan, Seeley and Blackfoot Valleys. Including six on-site demonstrations from artists throughout the weekend. Attendees were also invited to participate in two nature walks.
Annie Allen of Lincoln, Mont. hosted a demonstration and she showcased her mixed media art. Allen is very experimental with her work and repurposed bed sheets into a canvas that she painted with dyes and acrylic paints for her demonstration on Saturday.
"There's no right or wrong, you just have fun," said Allen.
The Loon and Fish Festival attracted people from all over the state. Dan and Susan Halt of Bozeman, Mont. decided to check out the event while visiting Seeley Lake for the weekend.
The Food Bank Soup Bowl Lunch drew a large crowd. Once the tables filled up, people enjoyed their soup around the room. All proceeds from the luncheon went to the Seeley Swan Community Food Bank. Local restaurants donated the 12 soups. Local potter Carrie Darrah of Obsession Pottery donated the decorative bowls. The bowls made by Swan Valley potter Bob Korn will be available at the Seeley Lake Farmers and Crafters Market starting June 16.
AAI held a raffle to support their youth grant and scholarship program. This year's winners were: Kelly McCann - 10 cubic yards of top soil; Sue Butler - inflatable stand-up paddle board; and Collen Hunter - wooden Japanese-style lamp made by artist Dona Aitken.
"To me it's a place in comradery," said self-proclaimed Loon and Fish rookie Tom Beers. "They didn't have it for six years, and I can't believe the number of people who said 'oh Loon and Fish is back. That's so great.'"
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