AAI names Schades as 2021 Art Benefactors

SEELEY LAKE - Alpine Artisans, Inc. (AAI) named Carla and Gene Schade as the recipients of their annual Arts Benefactor Award during their annual meeting which took place virtually Sunday, Jan. 24.

Every year the AAI Board of Directors selects someone to receive the award based on contributions of outstanding merit to the local community.

AAI Program Manager Jenny Rohrer said the Schades "have brought so much to the organization" both together and individually.

"The overall thing is that Gene and Carla provide such professionalism and attention to detail, and I think it just ups our game all the way around, whether it's program or finances or overall direction or long term vision," she said. "They've just added more really as individuals and as a couple then you could imagine so they were incredibly deserving."

As part of the award, the couple received a $200 certificate that can be used to purchase artwork from AAI members or from an AAI member run store which includes Grizzly Claw, Gallery 83 and Stubborn Moose.

Carla said receiving the award was "a huge honor."

"There's so many incredibly talented and hardworking people that are involved in this organization in the valleys," she said. "So it is just really an honor to be recognized doing the little bit you feel like you do. It brought tears to my eyes when they announced it and that was on zoom."

Carla and Gene have both served as president of the organization at one point. According to Jenny, Carla served in 2011 and 2012 while Gene served in 2016 and 2017. Carla's term was partially online as she was working overseas in Australia. In addition Gene served as treasurer for almost three years beginning in 2018 as well as vice president in 2014 while Carla chaired AAI's Wine and Chocolate fundraiser in 2012.

Current AAI Vice President Jean Dickey honored the couple's contributions to the organization as she presented the award.

"Their efforts have helped to shape our organizations and our projects to benefit our Valleys from Condon to Potomac," she said. "With wonderful spirit and enthusiasm they have logged countless hours as volunteers."

According to Dickey the couple contributed the following for AAI: Hosting visiting performers for 2 Valley Stage in their homes; spearheading and contributing to all kinds of fundraisers; chairing Wine & Chocolate; building floats for and marching in Fourth of July parades; participating in talent shows; installing banners and sandwich boards advertising AAI events; bartending events; and promoting the arts throughout local communities.

AAI was established in 1991 with the couple joining in 2009. Carla was born and raised in Shelby, Montana while Gene was raised in Iowa. The couple made their permanent residence in Seeley Lake in 2000. Just after they moved, however, Gene's job in the large construction industry required the duo to move overseas where they lived for the next nine years. It was not until 2009 that they came back permanently. 

They began getting involved in AAI as they began meeting some of the organization's members. Carla said she has been proud to watch the organization grow and prosper and see how much can be accomplished when participants invest their time and money into projects that interest them.

The project she has most enjoyed has been hosting the performers of 2 Valley Stage in their home.

"[That] has probably been one of the biggest things we've enjoyed, because of the fact that [we are] able to watch them as they're in schools with the children in Swan Valley and Seeley Lake Elementary and the high school," Carla said. "And having that opportunity, not only just to see them perform, but to see them work with the kids and also to have them in our home and get to know them."

She said the most challenging aspect for her is taking in the scope of the entire organization and avoiding exhaustion from doing everything they would like to see get done.

"Alpine Artisans is a very unique arts organization in the whole entire state because it has such a big scope," she said.

Gene said the most challenging aspect for him was kicking off major local events like the Norman Maclean Festival and the talent show as well as continuing to organize new events for AAI. Despite the challenges, he is ultimately proud that AAI was able to organize them.

"The Maclean [Festival] really stands out to me as an extraordinary event that AAI created from scratch," he said. "And it really has brought a lot more recognition from Missoula folks, because we're reaching out to them also."

Carla said she loves the diverse group of people involved with AAI and how the organization has been able to fill in certain areas lacking in local arts and culture.

"The organization includes both valleys and all sorts of artists as well as non-artists," she said. "Alpine Artisans has been able to just put together such a wonderful, diverse group of residents and even second homeowners that get involved and volunteer their time and their efforts."