Over the course of four days this month, visitors to the Missoula Art Museum will experience art in the making. Beginning March 28, Billings native and up-and-coming artist Abbie Miller will share her talent and creative process as she creates an exciting, site-specific sculptural installation in MAM’s Aresty Gallery.

Ever since MAM re-opened as an expanded museum in 2006 the exhibition staff has sought out artists working in installation and large-scale sculpture to create original works for the new beautiful spaces. The Aresty Gallery on MAM’s main floor, featuring a long, open site line across its split level, has consistently been the space to attract the attention of artists. After a recent visit to MAM, Miller enthusiastically accepted the challenge to create a new work.

Entitled Exit Strategies, Miller’s installation will draw inspiration from and interact with the large, multi-level space. Miller’s unique and honest approach draws equally from her art education and passion for fashion design. Her signature sculptural forms are architectural in scale and express figurative movement. Miller’s installation at MAM will be built on a lumber structure. A vinyl covering will be added, held together by a continuous zipper. Evoking clothing or skin, the vinyl wrinkles and stretches, it sags and gathers, and it also holds the work together. As the work evolves, it will take on the sense of a living figure. The final piece won’t be fully realized until the last zipper tooth is zipped into place.

Originally from Billings, Miller received her BFA from the University of Wyoming with a minor in apparel construction. She holds a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate from Maryland Institute College of Art and an MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art.

ABOUT THE MISSOULA ART MUSEUM:

The Missoula Art Museum strives to engage artists and audience in the creative exploration of contemporary art relevant to our community, state and region. Founded in 1975 and accredited by the American Association of Museums since 1987, MAM showcases diverse and thought-provoking contemporary artwork from local and international artists. Gallery Hours: Tuesday- Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.