Horses take center stage in new Hockaday exhibit

The Hockaday Museum of Art announces the opening of "The Horse in Flathead Valley Collections," an exhibition showcasing the beauty of horses.

An opening reception for the new exhibition will be held Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

"The Horse in Flathead Valley Collections," on display through Oct. 21, is a fine exhibition of work encompassing images of the horse as it has evolved through art history. Paintings and sculptures for this exhibit include works from the museum's permanent collection and works loaned from artists and from private collections around the valley.

The exhibit ranges from historical artists to contemporary, including works by O.C. Seltzer, Edward Borien, Shorty Shope, E.E. Heikka, as well as local artists Nancy Dunlop Cawdrey, Betsey Hurd, Eric Kaplan, Karen Young, and others.

In conjunction with "The Horse in Flathead Valley Collections," Bigfork artist Cawdrey will be signing her new book "Sky's the Limit: The Art of Nancy Dunlop Cawdrey" at the museum on Aug. 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Books will be available for purchase from the museum's Off the Wall Gift Gallery. Cawdrey has gained national recognition with her interpretation of the ancient art form of silk painting.

Also on display at the museum are "Winold Reiss (1886-1953): Artist for the Great Northern" through Oct. 18 and "Recent Acquisitions to the Museum's Permanent Collection" through Sep. 3.

The Hockaday is located at 302 Second Ave. E. in downtown Kalispell. Admission to the opening reception and daily admission to the museum is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for students, and $1 for youth, with free admission for museum members.

The museum's summer hours continue through August and are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. Winter hours begin Sep. 1 and are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call 755-5268 or visit www.hockadaymuseum.org.