Bigfork artist opens exhibit at Wachholz gallery

The Wachholz College Center’s Wanda Hollensteiner Art Gallery on the campus of Flathead Valley Community College welcomes Montana artist Rand Robbin. 

His “Retrospective Exhibition” debuts Saturday, March 16 with an opening reception for the artist Thursday, March 21 from 5-7 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public. 

Originally from Bigfork, Robbin earned a Master's degree from the University of Montana before becoming a professor at Skagit Valley College in Mt. Vernon, Washington. After several years teaching, he went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts in painting and intaglio printmaking from the University of Wisconsin. He then worked under a number of nationally acclaimed artists while expanding his artistry to include sculptures created from hardwoods. 

Robbin describes his current exhibition as, “a collection of visual art, creative writing and free verse” inspired by three gifts from his father: “three lead pencils, the importance of horizon lines, and dreams of life as a cowboy.” 

Among the many works Robbin has created over his long and varied career are etchings, hardwood carvings, paintings, and more. In addition to creating art, he manages the cattle and grain operations on his family's ranch in Creston, Montana. 

Everyone is invited to attend the exhibition opening reception in the Wachholz College Center’s Wanda Hollensteiner Art Gallery on Thursday, March 21 from 5-7pm. The exhibition will be available for viewing to the public through Wednesday, June 5. The gallery is open weekdays from 9am-12pm as well as during WCC showtimes for patrons with tickets to WCC performances. 

To stay up to date on the current art featured in the Wanda Hollensteiner Art Gallery and to find information about the Wachholz College Center, visit wachholzcollegecenter.org and follow WCC on Facebook and Instagram.