Rachel and Pete Feigley of "Mixed Bag" entertained the crowd Saturday morning. They were just one of several groups who shared their musical talents Friday and Saturday.
Attendees enjoy browsing all the various artwork displayed in the West Wing of the Foundation Building. There were many compliments about how well the art was displayed. "A shout out to the [display] team Chris Jewett, Catherine Kellogg, Shellie Mundy and myself," AAI President Kris Gullikson said. "We had over the 25 artists expected with folks coming in and wanting to participate next year! The Tour of the Arts is now high on the list of those that attended as the next big ART 'must see'!"
Donna Love with the Montana Loon Society giving a Loon Talk Saturday morning. All of the presentations were well attended. "I feel it was a wonderful inclusive Community Event again!" said Organizer Kris Gullikson.
This was the first time Painter Shellie Mundy participated in the Loon & Fish Festival. She is pointing to one of her paintings on display. It is framed with "beaver wood" she collected. The teeth marks from the beaver are visible in the wood. "I really feel this is a great venue for artists to show, display and actually sell their work," Mundy said. "And as a community, it is a great opportunity to invest in our youth in the future because this is money that is going directly into our Seeley Lake children for K-12 art scholarships." A minimum percentage of 25% of all the art sold was donated to AAI to support all of their programs. The funds raised from the raffles and huckleberry ice cream sales benefited the Student Scholarships.
They sold around 50 pottery bowls, that were made by local high school students, filled with Huckleberry Ice Cream and numerous cones. This raised more than $1000 for the Student Art Scholarship fund. AAI appreciated the huckleberry ice cream donated by Hungry Bear, Lindey's Prime Steak House, Pop's Place, Filling Station and Blue River Station.
Local potter Carrie Darrah (front) teaching Gene Schade how to throw a bowl on the pottery wheel and Janet Whitesell observes. Whitesell played her harp Friday evening for the opening of the event. "The diversity of art and talent continues to inspire me," said AAI President Kris Gullikson.
Katy Bell leading "Loonie Origami" with families from Sheridan and Dubois, Wyoming as well as Bozeman, Great Falls and other parts of rural Montana. "We reveled in the joy of this enormous Western expanse nestled in a connected, lively community," Bell said. About the event as whole AAI President Kris Gullikson said, ""The sales exceeded expectations this year, especially after the slim COVID years! We thank our generous community for the support they give for our programs and artists."
When Jean Dickey (right) called Rosemary O'Neil (left) to tell her she won the paddleboard, she was screaming "I'm so excited." Having just turned 70, she had just said she wanted to try more water sports. She was visiting her friends in the Swan Valley and decided to check out the Festival for the day. Mona Weer won the Rich Ranch Snowmobile Ride for Two and Ben Norman of Lincoln, Montana won the Diane Whitehead Bear painting.
SEELEY LAKE - Locals and visitors alike enjoyed this year's Loon and Fish Festival at the Seeley Lake Foundation Building Aug. 19 and Aug. 20. Art was displayed in the West Wing all weekend and attendees enjoyed live music from local musicians, art demonstrations, hands-on activities and several presentations.
Alpine Artisan, Inc President and Event Organizer Kris Gullikson said every scheduled event was well attended, the booths outside were hopping as was the kids activities table- and the Upscale Garage Sale cleared all but a few items. From calming harp music to dance worthy country western swing, she added the music was a great success this year using AAI's new sound system
" Everyone that came, grabbed a chair, sat down and enjoyed the LIVE music," Gullikson said. "Seeley Lake in summer does that to people and AAI made it happen!"
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