Art Into Action

Whenever someone tells me that the most beautiful part of Montana is the Western side of the state, I’ve countered with “Well, the West does have lovely mountains, but in the East we have the most gorgeous skies.”

Skies that go on for miles and miles; beautiful horizons whose presence engulfs and enfolds. I think about these vast miles, feel them more potently than ever before, while I drive across the Northeast for my work with the Office of Public Instruction.

Lately my work takes me to all the communities on the Fort Peck Reservation; back and forth along the length of Highway 2 several times a week. I don’t mind the drive because as I travel, my mind has time to wander. Not surprisingly it wanders in the direction of art. Any of you who know me in either a personal or professional capacity know that first and foremost I am an artist; both in training (M.F.A: UM, 2011; B.F.A: UNLV, 2006) and in upbringing (I grew up in an artisan family in Saskatchewan).

Having grown up in Southern Saskatchewan I have a deep familiarity with, and abiding affection for, the vast prairie landscape of my youth; so similar to that of Montana’s Hi-Line. I am often struck by the clean simplicity of the lines and colors.

And, I can’t help but think of this place as one that begs to feel the presence of art (in particular, land art, otherwise known as Earthworks). Land art, for those of you who haven’t dragged yourself through hours of art history classes, is art created on a large scale that is specific to a certain geographic location.

These artworks seek to have a conversation with the land and the people of the place. They are usually both subtle and eloquent. Some of the most well known works frequent barren spaces not unlike that of our northern plains; for instance the “Lightning Field” of New Mexico (Walter De Maria, 1977), “Spiral Jetty” of Utah (Robert Smithson, 1970). More recent artists like Edith Meusnier ( HYPERLINK "http://www.edithmeusnier.net/"www.edithmeusnier.net) and Christo and Jean Claude ( HYPERLINK "http://christojeanneclaude.net/"http://christojeanneclaude.net/) are doing beautiful things in the landscape making use of colored fibers and fabrics and incorporating the movement of the air.

While traveling through vastness of this place, I often reflect on the people I live amongst: the folks of Valley County were one of the first things about Northeastern Montana that won my loyalty. I have never known a people more inclusive. In the decade (!?!) I’ve lived here, I have been amazed time and again by the kindness and also by the cultural awareness of these folks. There seems an eager appreciation of arts, regardless of medium. I experienced it while running the Glasgow Goodkind Gallery and I watch it now; seeing the many folks who support The Fort Peck Summer Theatre, The Wheatgrass Gallery, Sean Heavey’s Gallery, and many other local artists and arts-minded endeavors.

These days, art endeavors are something I think about more than ever. Its something I mention in casual conversation with some of the internationally known artists around the nation I’m friends with. It’s something Courier Managing Editor James Walling and I speak of; he referencing artists he is also connected with.

The idea foremost in our conversation is that of bringing some of these artists to the area to work with our locals and our landscape. It’s an idea I’ve mentioned to some of the folks I meet with on the Fort Peck Reservation. And it’s one that I’ve thrown by Michelle Tade, of the Fort Peck Fine Arts Council. It’s a compelling idea, because there’s an unusual confluence of resources at our fingertips. There are substantial grant funds available, I’m told.

And so as I travel along Highway 2, I carry ideas like seeds and scatter them to the wind along my path. Encouraging Valley County people to interact with the folks of the Fort Peck Reservation; and inviting our neighbors at the east end of the state to interact with us, their neighbors to the near west. After all, we are all here under this big beautiful sky together. Sitting in the middle of a wide open prairie, there’s enough room for ideas; plenty of time for art-talk; and ample resources to turn talk and ideas into action. Action, like Earth-art, that would celebrate this beautiful corner of the world we call home.