Whitefish Gallery Nights kicks off May 2

Whitefish Gallery Nights returns May 2.

The event features 13 art galleries in downtown Whitefish throwing open their doors on the first Thursday of the month for artist receptions, hors d’oeuvres and live music. Whitefish Gallery Nights runs from 6 to 9 p.m. and gives patrons the chance to check out art venues for free.

Different artists are featured each month. A few of May’s featured artists are listed below.

For a complete list of participating art galleries —including a printable map — visit www.whitefishgallerynights.org. A full-color Whitefish art gallery guide is also available at downtown merchants.

Edd Kuropat is the featured artist at the Purple Pomegranate, 222 Central Ave.

Kuropat is the owner of Yaak River Originals and is a fine woodworker with more than 25 years’ experience building and creating. He uses reclaimed wood and metal in his multidimensional pieces.

For more information, call the Purple Pomegranate at 862-7227.

The Walking Man Frame Shop and Gallery, 305 Baker Ave., and Whitefish Pottery and Stillwater Gallery, 240 Central Ave., will each feature ceramic sculptures by a variety of artists participating in Flathead Valley Community College’s Ceramics Festiva.

The event will celebrate alternative firing techniques, from raku to pit firing to soda, salt and ash. It takes place May 22 through 25 at FVCC.

For more information about Ceramics Festiva, visit www.ceramicsfestiva.com.

For more about the Walking Man’s exhibit, call 863-2787. For more information from Whitefish Pottery and Stillwater Gallery, call 862-8211.

Stumptown Art Studio, 145 Central Ave., will unveil the second of four mosaic panels depicting life in Whitefish. The “Summer” panel of the Windows on Whitefish mosaic will be unveiled at 6 p.m.

After the unveiling, Stumptown’s focus will shift to its popular annual Student Spring Show and ice cream social. That exhibit features works created in the studio’s youth art classes since January. The pieces are in a variety of media, including clay, paper, paintings and more.

For more information, call the studio at 862-5929.

Mi Casa Pottery, 550 E. First. St. No. 104, is featuring glass mosaic artist Marian Adkins. Call 862-4577.

Jest Gallery, 305 E. Second St., will have live entertainment by Dan Dubuque and light refreshments. Call 862-5777.

Dick Idol Signature Gallery, 238 Central Ave., will feature new works from nine nationally known artists that joined the gallery this spring: Shanna Kunz, Don Hamilton, Jennifer Johnson, Whitney Hall, John DeMott, Terri Cooke Hall, Bob Boomer, Lori Forest and local sculptor Daniel Parker. The gallery will also be showcasing Colt Idol's new painting "Under the Tetons," which will be included in the fifth annual Summer Art Social Art Auction at the Iron Horse Golf Club June 30.

For more information, call the gallery at 862-5070.