SEELEY LAKE – The Alpine Artisans' Loon and Fish Art Show and Festival is a local tradition. For 22 of the last 28 years, this event has showcased the prolific and varied artwork produced by dozens of our members from the Swan Valley through Seeley Lake, Ovando and Lincoln.
This year's Festival kicks off with a gala opening on Friday evening, Aug. 20, from 5 - 9 p.m. in a new location for the Festival – the Seeley Lake Community Foundation Building.
"AAI saw the opportunity to create an elegant display of the art in the West Wing of the Foundation Building, while still having enough room for demonstrations, live music and presentations," stated AAI Vice-President Jean Dickey. AAI also moved the Festival dates from Memorial Day Weekend to mid-August, to accommodate more summertime visitors. Attendees can enjoy beer, wine, soft drinks and refreshments at Friday's opening.
The West Wing of the Foundation Building will be transformed with artwork as varied as pine needle weaving, oil and watercolor paintings, wooden and copper bowls, jewelry, photography, ceramics, wool art and children's books. The Foundation Building porch will be the scene of live music throughout the festival by local musicians, along with a demonstration by Katie Thompson of Missoula's Movement 4 Movement of a dance program that we hope to bring into the local schools. You can also purchase a commemorative poster featuring the winning Loon and Fish logos that were printed on our t-shirts for previous Festivals.
Supports AAI's Youth Grant and Scholarship Program with your purchase of Loon and Fish Raffle tickets – one for $5 or 5 for $20. This year's prizes are a Stand Up Paddleboard, a beautiful Japanese-style lamp and a horseback ride for two with Juanita Vero on the E-Bar L Ranch in Greenough.
The Festival is an opportunity to take advantage of a deep discount in 2 Valleys Stage Season tickets, which normally sell for $50, now selling for $40. What a deal! The Season Ticket package gives you six tickets to five 2 Valleys Stage concerts, averaging less than $8 for each enthralling performance by professional musicians. This discount expires at the end of the Festival.
Art demonstrations of beading, wood marquetry, watercolor, wool spinning and wood art are scheduled throughout the two-day Festival. Torrie Ritter, Montana FWP, will deliver an update on our local loon population.
An additional event will be held outdoors on Sunday with Kate Davis of Raptors of the Rockies at the Double Arrow Homestead Pavilion at 1 p.m. Davis will show her falcons, including the eight-year-old Sonora, the Aplomado Falcon and a new baby Peregrine featured in the photo – still unnamed! Signs will start at Cory's Market and will lead you 1.5 miles down Whitetail Drive to the Homestead Pavilion. Free and refreshments will be served.
This event is the first of three author events titled Seeley Celebrates. They are funded by the Seeley Lake Community Foundation and Humanities Montana. For more information or questions contact Jenny at 754-0034, jenny@alpineartisans.org. More information on our website: alpineartisans.org.
2021 Loon & Fish Schedule Aug. 20 & 21
Seeley Lake Community Foundation Building
Friday, Aug. 20, 5 – 9 p.m.: Festival Opens - Gala Reception & Art Sale featuring 25 Local Artists. Live Bluegrass Music. Art Demonstration by Tammy Jordan, Wool Spinning & Wool Art.
Saturday, August 21, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Festival Opens – Art Show and Sale featuring 25 Local Artists, Local Conservation and Wildlife Group Exhibits, Live Music All Day
10 a.m.: Loon Talk with Torrey Ritter, Montana FWP Loon Ranger
11 a.m .: Food Bank Soup Bowl Lunch Opens – Tickets at the Festival. Soup served at Mission Bible Church next door.
12 – 2 p.m .: Art Demonstration: Jo Ogden, Embroidery & Beading; Book Signing "Wild at Heart" by Author Sharon Lamar
1 – 2 p.m.: Dance Demonstration by Katie Thompson, Movement4Movement
2 – 4 p.m.: Art Demonstration: Annie Allen Clark, Painting and multi media
3:30 p.m.: Raffle Drawing
5 p.m.: Festival Closes - Thank You!
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