Arts in the Park celebrates its golden anniversary

In 1970, Paul McCartney announced the Beatles were breaking up, Casey Kasem hosted the first American Top 40 nationally syndicated radio program and the first Earth Day was celebrated. It was the era of bell bottoms, big hair and disco.

It was also the first year the Hockaday Center hosted a community art festival in Kalispell’s Depot Park, where it has been held ever since.

The first brushstrokes were placed on that canvas 50 years ago after Bill and Janet Bierrum of Kalispell, two of the six board members who founded the Hockaday Center in 1969, attended an art festival in Missoula.

“Bill thought an art festival could also benefit the Hockaday,” Janet said. “as a fundraiser, by bringing area artists and craftsmen together, and by encouraging membership.”

Arts in the Park was begun to support the Hockaday and to give artists one of the state’s first summer outdoor events where they could sell their paintings, pottery, jewelry and photographs. In its 50 years, literally hundreds of artists have shared their talents with those attending Arts in the Park.

Bill Bierrum, a Kalispell architect, spearheaded that first festival — then called the Flathead International Art Festival — as its design architect, together with Gary Elliot with the Kalispell Jaycees; James Flaherty, chairman of Flathead Valley Community College’s Art Department; and Arnie Carruthers, chairman of the music and entertainment committee.

“Arnie was an extremely talented jazz pianist with a quite a following,” Janet said. “He was instrumental in connecting the music community and adding that dimension to the festival.”

Janet Bierrum has served on the Hockaday’s board for more than 20 years and until recent years has always worked in one capacity or another at the art festival. In the early years she was active in contacting vendors and artists, and writing news articles for the media. And, until recent years, she manned the entrance gate and worked at the festival information center.

“Corinne Lundgren was also active from the beginning,” Bierrum noted. An artist from West Glacier, Lundgren also served as chairman of the Hockaday’s Exhibits Committee. Both women are past presidents of the board.

THAT FIRST year proved hosting an arts festival in Kalispell could be successful.

“We were so pleased with the turnout that first year, and particularly excited so many from out of town attended,” Bierrum said. “The festival’s become a springboard for bringing visitors to the museum and for new membership.”

As the festival grew, it has changed names a few times before becoming known as Arts in the Park, beginning in 1980.

In addition to being an important fundraiser for the Hockaday Museum of Art, it’s also a great way to support artists from throughout the Northwest.

Arts in the Park revenue helps support the Hockaday’s exhibitions throughout the year, education programs and outreach, classes for children and adults.

The Hockaday was named for Lakeside artist Hugh Hockaday (1892-1968), who had moved to the Flathead Valley after a successful career as a commercial artist, and who passed away during the conversion of the Carnegie library to an art center. In 1998, the Hockaday Center changed its name to the Hockaday Museum of Art to reflect its new focus as a museum.

Over 50 years, hundreds of volunteers have played a significant role in the success of the three-day festival.

“It’s been exciting to watch Arts in the Park evolve through the years. There is so much anticipation and enthusiasm in the community that carries through to this day,” Bierrum said. “Those first years were the initiation of what would become a flourishing event. It’s been a passion of mine and so rewarding to see the festival’s growth over 50 years. So many individuals have returned to support their favorite vendors from previous years as well as the new vendors. It’s always a nice mix.”

“Arts in the Park is more exciting every year. “It’s a fun, festive community celebration of the arts,” Bierrum said. “A great meeting place. A place to rekindle friendships.”

Entertainment Schedule:

Friday: noon, Greg Grant; 1:15 p.m., Don Beans; 2:30 p.m., Will Peterson; 3:45 p.m., Michelle Rivers Duo; 5 p.m., Dave vonKleist; 6:15 p.m., Big Sky Hot Club

Saturday:11 a.m., Lee Zimmerman; 12:15 p.m., David Walburn Duo; 1:30 p.m., String Clique; 2:45 p.m., An Daire Academy; 3:30 p.m., Greg Grant; 4 p.m., Dan Dubuque; 5:15 p.m., Woodstock Trio

Sunday: 11 a.m., Second Wind; 12:15 p.m., Brent Jamison Duo; 1:30 p.m., Rheannon; 2:45 p.m., La Nota Blues & Jazz

Entertainment editor Carol Marino may be reached at 758-4440 or thisweek@dailyinterlake.com.