Alpine Artisans' Open Book Club members receive a Montana Center for the Book Prize certificate from Humanities Montana inside Grizzly Claw Trading Company Tuesday. With the award comes a $1,000 that will be used to invite additional authors to present their books once meetings resume. Pictured (L-R): Michael Cropper, Betty Vanderwielen, Sara Wilcox, Jenny Rohrer, Randi Tanglen, Dee Baker, Martha Swanson and Jeanne Koester.
SEELEY LAKE - Humanities Montana awarded Alpine Artisans' Open Book Club the Montana Center for the Book Prize. This is the first time the Club has received an award like this.
According to a press release, the Montana Center for the Book Advisory Committee "was impressed with the longevity of the program, the steady growth and the caliber of authors who have been featured over the years." The Club is one of three award-winning programs with the other two located in Belgrade and Billings. Normally the prize is awarded during the Montana Book Festival, but due to COVID-19, the event was online only this year.
The Club has featured over 100 authors reading at the Grizzly Claw Trading Company since Sara Wilcox founded the Club in 2007. Wilcox said Grizzly Claw owner Dee Baker was instrumental in the Club's formation.
"He had the idea of having authors here," Wilcox said. "And he often gives his input and has been really helpful."
Authors come from across Montana as well as other states including Washington, Idaho and California. Recent participating authors include the likes of John Taliaferro, Bryce Andrews and Richard Fifield.
Wilcox said she tries to keep a finger on new releases in order to bring authors in.
"It's really exciting to see what's happening around Montana particularly and finding [authors] and bringing them in," Wilcox said.
Meetings are currently suspended due to COVID-19 although the Club was able to fit in a couple of author presentations earlier in the year. Wilcox said when they will resume will depend on how conditions evolve into the future. Alpine Artisans Program Manager Jenny Rohrer said they are considering using larger venues to allow for more space.
As part of the prize, the Club received a framed certificate that will be hung in Grizzly Claw Trading Company where the Club often holds its meetings. In addition, the Club also received $1,000. This will be used to bring in additional authors and help pay for their transportation.
"I think it'll help us bring some authors in that we otherwise couldn't bring in," Rohrer said.
Visiting authors are offered dinner and lodging when they visit Seeley Lake. Often before the authors would speak, creative writing students at Seeley Swan High School would read their pieces in front of attendees.
More information about the Club and when meetings will resume can be found by signing up for Alpine Artisans' online newsletter at https://www.alpineartisans.org.
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