Array of art

For 48 years, the Hockaday Museum of Art in Kalispell has been showcasing the creations of local artists with the mission to “enrich the cultural life of our community and region, and preserve the artistic legacy of Montana and Glacier National Park.” Keeping with its annual tradition of displaying the art of members, the museum unveils its 2017 Members’ Salon exhibit Thursday, Nov. 9.

“We have about 90 members represented this year,” said Executive Director Tracy Johnson. “It’s all different types of art using all kinds of media. Some are artists who have contributed before and some are new this year, which is good. It’s always good to shake it up a bit.”

The exhibition is a “fall tradition,” Johnson said, which any adult member of the Hockaday can enter.

“It isn’t a juried show, so it provides an opportunity without the pressure,” Johnson said.

The showcase will kick off with an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9. Johnson said she expects many of the artists who contributed to the exhibit to be present at the opening. There will also be food and drinks at the reception.

The Members’ Salon exhibit will be on display at the Hockaday through Jan. 6.

From Nov. 9 through Dec. 15, the public may cast votes for their favorite piece. The artwork with the most votes will be given the “People’s Choice Award.”

Many of the pieces in the exhibit are also for sale. A portion of proceeds will benefit the exhibition and education funds at the museum.

The Members’ Salon isn’t the only thing being featured at the Hockaday this month. Through November, the museum is offering new memberships at half price. The half-off deal will also be available to renewing members on the museum’s Community Free Day on Saturday, Nov. 25.

New family and dual memberships will be cut from $70 to $35, individual memberships down from $40 to $20 and student and senior memberships from $35 to $17.50 during November.

According to a press release, “membership to the Hockaday supports art, culture and educational opportunities for the community throughout the year. The benefits of membership include free admission to the Hockaday, 10 percent off all purchases in the gift stop, 10 percent off classes and workshops and free entry to opening receptions and special programming. Members also receive a quarterly newsletter, Art Matters, and invitations to special events at the Hockaday.”

The Hockaday will celebrating Small Business Saturday on Saturday, Nov. 25, by hosting a Community Free Day. This event includes free admission all day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 10 percent off all gift shop merchandise and free gift bags for the first 50 visitors.

Also coming up, on Saturday, Nov. 11, Ron Ukrainetz is the guest artist for November’s “Crits and Croissants” program. Bring a piece of recent artwork for a professional critique from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday. Refreshments will be provided. Cost is $5 for members and $10 for non-members.

On Friday, Dec. 1, the Hockaday will stay open for gift-shopping and with refreshments as part of the Kalispell Art Walk and Holiday Stroll from 5 to 9 p.m.

Then on Saturday, Dec. 9, the museum opens an exhibit titled “Making our World More Beautiful: The Collection of Sam and Jean Bibler.” The opening of this exhibit comes on another Community Free Day, with free admission all day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be an exhibit talk at noon, followed by a tour at 1 p.m. “Making our World More Beautiful: The Collection of Sam and Jean Bibler” will be on display through Feb. 10, 2018.

The Hockaday Museum of Art is located at 302 Second Ave. E. in Kalispell. It is housed in a 1904 Carnegie Library building that appears on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, open year-round, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, visit http://www.hockadaymuseum.org or call 406-755-5268.

Arts and Entertainment Editor Stefanie Thompson can be reached at 758-4439 or ThisWeek@dailyinterlake.com.