By TOM BENSEN
The Missoula Cultural Council is seeking nominations for the 17th Annual Missoula Arts and Culture Awards program, March 29 at 11:30 a.m. at the Doubletree Hotel. Individuals and businesses may be nominated in five separate categories: Cultural Achievement, Individual Artist, Arts Educator, Business Support for the Arts, and Cultural Vision. To make a nomination in one of the above categories, complete the one-page form found on the MCC website by Friday, February 12. The awardees will be honored at the MCC’s annual luncheon scheduled for Tuesday, March 29, at 11:30 am at Missoula’s Doubletree Hotel.
The Montana Museum of Art & Culture presents Glorious Vista: Art of the American West from the MMAC Permanent Collection through February 20 in the Paxson and Meloy Galleries from now through February 20. From the Pueblos of New Mexico to Glacier National Park, this exhibition explores the landscapes and people of the Rocky Mountain West during the 19th and 20th centuries, including works by Edgar Paxson, Joseph Henry Sharp, Charles M. Russell, Ace Powell, Julius Seyler, Nancy McLaughlin, and George Catlin.
The 13th annual Big Sky Documentary Film Festival opens February 19 and runs through February 28 at the Wilma, Top Hat, Roxy and Crystal theaters. Visit here for more information.
It’s Oscar Season at The Roxy! www.theroxytheater.org
February at The Roxy is already inspired. In fact, it’s a movie-lover’s dream. From the full lineup of Oscar® contenders, to special one-off screenings, festivals and events, the Roxy will be rocking all month long. Visit here for more.
The Gallery of Visual Arts at the University of Montana presents What Lay Before – What Lay After, sculpture and paintings of Francis Paul Pearson, now through March 3.
The University Center Gallery presents “The Inevitable Comparison” now through February 25. Artist Alissa Wynne’s work features stretched garments that comment on rebellion and upbringing. Call 243-5555.
Radius Gallery presents art for this Sunday, Valentine’s Day. So, whether you are showing love to your partner, family, or friend, the gift anyone would love, and is outside the generic box, is art! Radius has a wall specifically made for the gift giver in mind. For those who want to give them something extra special and personal, you will find beautiful artwork that will make them feel you really understand them, and that’s what Valentine’s Day is all about. For more information about these pieces, contact Alicia or Lisa at Radius Gallery at 541-7070, stop in, or visit our website. Image – “Stay” by Karen Kemp.
The Clay Studio of Missoula presents the International Cup 2016 through February. Visit here for more information.
Shakespeare and Co. presents Josh Wagner reading from his collection of short works Nothing in Mind, joined by Shawn Mihalik, reading from his novella The Assured Expectations of Things Hoped For, 6:00 p.m. tonight, February 8. Tyler Knott Gregson reads from his new book All The Words Are Yours: Haiku On Love, 7:00 p.m. on February 12.
Fact and Fiction presents a reading of The Process of Translation with Madeline G. Levine, February 11 at 7:00 p.m. at F&F Downtown.
Blue Mountain Clinic presents Off the Rack at the Wilma, 7:00 p.m. on February 13. Call 721-1646.
The Dirty Sexy Chocolate Show is at the Top Hat Lounge, February 13 and 14 at 7:30 and 10:00 p.m. Call 728-9865 or visit Top Hat.
The Ed Norton Big Band plays at the Missoula Winery on Valentine’s Day, Sunday, February 14 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
The Missoula Art Museum presents Terrain: Plateau Native Art & Poetry through February 27, 2016; John Buck: Free for All through March 12 (pictured here); Good Wood: Carved And Cut From MAM’s Permanent Collection through March 12.
For three Thursday nights in February, Free Cycles will be converted from a bike shop into an art studio for the Riverfront Neighborhood Art Night. You are invited to join a class hosted by a guest artist or bring your own materials for projects you work on in the creative company of others. Riverfront Art Nights will be February 11, 18, 25 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Attend one or all three. There will be supplies for the first 24 people. You can reserve a place by emailing here or just show up and take your chances. Free Cycles is located at 732 South First West. The first Art Night will be Thursday, February 11 . Artist Karlene Kantner will demonstrate DIY Reductive Printmaking process using small linoleum or wood blocks to create stamps. Snacks and beverages will be provided.
Whether romance or comedy is what you are craving this February, you can satisfy both yearnings Valentine’s Day weekend with the pure lovely silliness of Gilbert & Sullivan! The Gondoliers, a delightful musical romp, is the result of a creative collaboration between the UM Opera Theater, UM Symphony Orchestra, and MCT. The Gondoliers plays at the MCT Center for the Performing Arts February 12-14. Tickets are available here, or call 728-7529.
Registration now open for January-March 2016 Art Workshops with local artist Nancy Seiler. New this winter is Nature Journaling Series. Learn to draw and paint different natural history topics and be ready to go outside this spring with your nature journal to record what you see with more confidence. All workshops are located at 330 Brooks St. in Missoula (one block east of Caffé Dolce). Classes are limited to 10. To sign up, please email here or call 370-1254
Zootown Arts Community Center will celebrate small things with its 4th Annual {mini} Show Benefit at Missoula’s newly renovated historic Wilma Theater on March 26. This gala event will bring together Missoula’s creative community to celebrate all things mini, from mini dessert auction, a mini silent and live art auction, and more! The Mini Show art opening will occur in the ZACC gallery on March 11. This is an annual fundraiser for the Zootown Arts Community Center. For more information, visit here.
The Art Associates of Missoula monthly meeting will be held Wednesday, February 17, at 10:00 a.m. in the Education Center of the Missoula Art Museum, 335 N. Pattee St, Missoula. Botanical illustrator and painter Nancy Seiler will be sharing her art and inspirational designs. Art Associates meetings are free and open to the public. For more information please call Susie at 544-0891.
On Sunday, February 28, the Missoula Community Chorus is hosting their 11th Annual “Missoula Uncorked” fundraiser. This year’s “Red Carpet Gala” will feature a live telecast of the 88th Annual Academy Awards at the Thomas Meagher Bar in downtown Missoula. This interactive awards experience includes an opportunity for guests to win prizes by correctly guessing the Oscar award-winners! Visit here or stop by the Thomas Meagher Bar to purchase tickets and learn more about the event.
The Missoula Historic Preservation Commission is seeking nominations for the 2016 Missoula Historic Preservation Awards. Nominations are due by March 4. The 24th Annual Missoula Historic Preservation Awards will be judged by the Missoula Historic Preservation Commission, with the individuals and groups honored at a public, catered awards event during May, National Historic Preservation Month. Projects must have been completed in 2013, 2014 or 2015. Nomination Forms can be downloaded from the City’s Historic Preservation webpage. Nomination forms can also be obtained by contacting the Historic Preservation Office, or e-mailing a
request here.
Writing at Work, a conference hosted by the University of Montana Creative Writing Program, is slated for Friday, March 11. The conference, which connects UM students with successful, creative professionals who use their liberal arts education in their working lives, will be held from noon to 5 p.m., in the University Center Theater. It is free and open to the public. For more information call 243-5267 or email here.
For more information about arts events in the Missoula area, visit our website.