Artists to discuss work in Hockaday exhibit

Four local artists will discuss their works in an upcoming Hockaday Museum of Art exhibition Feb. 28.

Pamela Caughey (etched copper plates), Donna Loos (sculptural ceramics), Lee Proctor (blown glass) and David Scott Smith (sculptural ceramics) are the first artists on tap this year in the Hockaday’s Conversations with the Artists series.

Each artist has work in the museum’s Of the Earth exhibit, which opens Feb. 28. From 4 to 5 p.m. that day, Caughey, Loos, Proctor and Smith will each discuss their work in the show and answer questions from the audience.

Museum members may attend the artists’ talk for free; for everyone else, the cost is $10.

An opening reception will follow the talk from 5 to 7 p.m. Several artists will discuss their work at the reception, which is free and open to the public.

Of the Earth features artists who understand, respect and honor the human relationship with the Earth. The exhibition features 11 well-known artists from Montana and the United States, whose works are created from natural elements that include metal, paper, natural pigments, fiber, glass, clay and wood.

Other artists in the show include Jennifer Davies, fiber and paper; Jeanne Drevas, nature art sculpture; Kate Hunt, newspaper sculpture; Richard Parrish, kiln glass, Pam Rogers, paper and natural pigments; David Secrest, patterned metalwork; and Fred Williamson, wood.

“As humans, we respond to the Earth through our senses,” said Liz Moss, the Hockaday’s executive director.

“We can see, feel, hear, taste and touch the Earth. We feel it between our toes ... the soil can be warm, cool, wet or gritty. We can smell it in the air... after a spring rain, or on a dry and dusty summer’s day. In the briefest of moments, our senses allow us to revisit a time, place, and conjure up images from our past experiences.

“Many of nature’s elements are comforting and familiar. We live in a land of vast mountain ranges and open spaces where millions of acres surround and inspire us. Art created ‘of the Earth’ serves to remind us of these wild places that live in our hearts and minds.”

Of the Earth will be on display through April 20 at the museum, located at 302 Second Ave. E., Kalispell.

For more information, visit www.hockadaymuseum.org or call 755-5268.