2008 Visitor's Guide : Livingston, Shields Valley, Gardiner, Yellowstone Park, Paradise Valley, Big Timber, Montana

Livingston galleries satisfy all tastes

Livingston area's fine galleries have earned the city the resputation of "The Heart of Art in Montana."

This small Western town with a laid-back atmosphere is home to a diverse array of artists, and is also the source of exceptional art.

Livingston and the surrounding area boasts many fine galleries and has earned recognition as a regional art center.

Several of the local galleries have joined together to form the Livingston Gallery Association, which organizes the popular summer Art Walks the entire community and visitors enjoy. During these events, each gallery introduces new exhibits by holding a public reception for the artists. These Friday night Art Walks take on a block party appearance and often last well into the evening.

Livingston Gallery Association Art Walks are traditionally scheduled for the fourth Fridays of the summer months - June 27, July 25, Aug. 22 and Sept. 26 this year - from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. In December, there will also be a Holiday Art Walk during the Christmas Stroll, for which the date and time will be announced.

Most of the galleries are downtown within walking distance of each other.

CHATHAM FINE ART

(120 N. Main St., Tel. 222-1566, www.russellchatham.com) houses the work of Russell Chatham, a renowned landscape artist whose unique style permeates all of his interests.

TIERRA MONTANA

(116 N. Main St., Tel. 222-3000, www.tierramontana.com). This gallery features fine art and fine craft, and "Artists of the Americas" extraordinary paintings, jewelry, glass, ceramic works, sculpture and furniture art.

Master weaver Ben Maestas creates hand-woven, naturally-dyed rugs and tapestries in the studio.

GARRE FINE ART

(112 N. Main St., Tel. 222-7847, www.garreart.com).

This gallery displays distinctly untamed interpretations of the American West. All paintings are the works of nationally collected artists John Garre and Karen Garre. Hours of business are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and by appointment.

THE DANFORTH GALLERY

(106 N. Main St., Tel. 222-6510, www.pcfadanforth.org).

Park County Friends of the Arts, Danforth Gallery is a nonprofit organization supported by the community, private and business contributors.

The Danforth exhibits contemporary art created by regional as well as nationally emerging artists working in all media.

This fast-paced gallery changes exhibitions every month year-round, with classes and lectures offered in winter months. Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m, and Friday, noon to 6 p.m,. or open by appointment.

During the remainder of the year, the Danforth hosts a film series, a free lecture series and other events.

THE FRAME GARDEN

(110 E. Callender St., Tel. 222-5122, www.livingstongalleries.com).

The gallery, which has a complete framing area as well as two showrooms for exhibition space, features original fine art and prints by regional artists. For those interested in history, the gallery also has a selection of historic Montana photographs and a collection of antique Yellowstone Park and Livingston-area maps, etchings and postcards.

Additionally, The Frame Garden offers a complete custom framing service, with an extensive selection of mats and molding and a certified picture framer on staff to assist with preservation and other questions.

Business hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

REED LEHMAN POTTERY

(112 W. Callender St., Tel. 222-7618, www.reedlehmanpottery.com)

Features locally hand-painted redware, Reed Lehman’s vibrant oil paintings, and a variety of unique jewelry and art objects.

Business hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays throughout the summer.

VISIONS WEST GALLERY

(108 S. Main St., Tel. 222-0337, www.visionswestgallery.com)

Specializes in fine American art with an emphasis on Western and wildlife motifs.

The gallery represents both nationally recognized artists as well as talented, emerging artists.

Visions West offers an array of paintings, sculpture and photography as well as a friendly and knowledgeable staff.

The in-house custom framing department specializes in conservation-quality framing and has one of the largest selection available in the area.

Summer hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

MORDAM ART

(109 S. Main St., Tel. 222-0321, www.bonnifidedesigns.com and www.parkegoodman.com)

The home of Parke Goodman's studio and Bonnifide Designs handmade glass beads and jewelry.

Parke Goodman’s traditional oil landscapes capture the beauty and drama of Yellowstone and the northern Rocky Mountains.

Bonnie Goodman combines her beads with Austrian crystal and vintage glass to create her ever-evolving line of whimsical and elegant jewelry.

LIVINGSTON CENTER FOR ART AND CULTURE

(119 S. Main St., Tel. 222-5222, www.livingstoncenter.org)

A tax-exempt organization dedicated to providing an opportunity for artists and professionals to share their skills and talents with the community at large.

The Livingston Center for Art and Culture provides a location for classes, a meeting and gathering space for educational interchange, and an exhibition gallery for artists’ and students’ works.

Also located at 119 S. Main St. is the PARKS REECE GALLERY (Tel. 222-5724, www.parksreece.com), featuring Reece's "peculiar perception" in original paintings, lithographs and reproductions.

“Call of the Wild: The Art of Parks Reece,” Parks’ critically acclaimed book showcasing 114 color plates of his art, is also available at the gallery.

BANOVICH FINE ART STUDIO

(5237 Hwy. 89 S., Suite 11, Tel. 222-5445, www.johnbanovich.com.)

Features John Banovich, whose art is found in museums, corporations and numerous private international collections.

This award-winning artist specializes in large, dramatic oil paintings featuring subjects that live on all continents of the globe.

The gallery also shows other notable painters and sculptors who are masters in their medium and specialize in depicting international wildlife.

The gallery is open by appointment only.

PARADISE ARTWORKS

(223 S. Main St., Tel. 222-5974, e-mail greetings2yew@aol.com)

Paradise Artworks does custom matting and framing and also sign and designs. The gallery’s selection of fine original artwork and prints continually changes.

B.CIVILIZED

(113. W Park St., Tel. 222-5996, www.bcivilized.com)

This gallery features the work of Gwen Strachan and emerging contemporary artists as well as fair trade and handmade arts and jewelry.

ANGELA’S PHOTO GALLERY & DARKROOM

((113 W. Park, Ste. 9, 640-1809, lostartphoto@hotmail.com)

preserves a lost art in photography - the darkroom process - and specializes in fine art darkroom photography: naturesque nudes, landscapes, and many other interesting pieces. All prints are made from film and printed completely by hand.

A summer show, “Trash to Treasure,” is scheduled. This show will exhibit darkroom prints from a rescued collection of glass plate negatives of Livingston and Yellowstone dating from the 1890s to 1940s. Subjects include steam engines, diesel engines, the railroad depot, downtown Livingston, Gardiner railroad station, railroad passengers, local home interiors, Cinnabar and more yet to be identified.

The gallery is open afternoons or by appointment and will be open during all summer art walks.