By TOM BENSEN
Current exhibits at the Missoula Art Museum include Bill Ohrmann: Tainted Revelations through October 11; Blessingway: Prints by Melanie Yazzie through October 11; The Art of Human Conflict Conflict through December 24; Pamela Caughey: Ubiquitous: Migration of Pathogens through December 2; Helen McAuslan: The Kent State Paintings, on loan from the Museum of the Rockies, through November 22.
The City of Missoula Public Art Committee has extended the deadline for two art calls in Silver Park. The new deadline is October 6, 2014. Visit the website for all information and the application.
The Montana Museum of Art & Culture at the University of Montana presents Sandra Dal Poggetto: Meditations on the Field, in the Paxson and Meloy Galleries. Now through September 27, Helena-based artist Sandra Dal Poggetto is featured in a solo exhibition of new and recent works. On Thursday, September 11, at 7:00 p.m. in the Meloy Gallery at the PARTV Center, MMAC presents In the Gallery with Sandra Dal Poggetto who will share an overview of her new large scale American Fork paintings within the exhibition. On Thursday, September 25, from 5:00 -5:45 p.m. in the Masquer Theatre, there will be a conversation with artist Sandra Dal Poggetto and Mark Stevens, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of DeKooning: An American Master.
MAM Exhibit: Bill Ohrmann: Tainted Revelations though October 11.
In honor of the 100th anniversary of woman suffrage in Montana, University of Montana History Professor and Co-Director of Women’s and Gender Studies Anya Jabour will make herself available to deliver a free local lecture titled “Montana Women Making History.” Her lecture offers biographical sketches of some of Montana’s most significant women reformers such as Jeannette Rankin, the Missoula pacifist who voted against U.S. entry into both world wars; Hazel Hunkins, a Billings woman who went to federal prison for picketing the White House on behalf of suffrage; Maggie Smith Hathaway, who pioneered child welfare legislation in the state; and Helen Piotopowaka Clarke, the first Native American woman elected to public office in the Montana Territory. A group of UM faculty, staff and students, together with Missoula community members, have formed an ad hoc centennial committee to coordinate a variety of local and statewide projects to commemorate the 100th anniversary year. The projects include a traveling historical exhibit, “Leading the Way: Montana Woman Suffrage and the Struggle for Equal Citizenship,” which will be displayed in more than 30 communities statewide. For more information or to schedule a lecture, email Jabour.
Shakespeare and Co. presents Christian Winn reading from his novel Naked Me, with UM MFA fiction student Jules Ohman, 7:00 p.m. on September 12; and Melissa Mylchreest reads from her latest collection Waking the Bones, and Chris Dombrowski reading from his new work, at 7:00 p.m. on September 13
Fact & Fiction presents John Espy with a discussion and signing of Eat the Evidence, 7:00 p.m. September 9; Fred Martin, reading and signing Abraham Lincoln’s Path to Reelection in 1864, 7:00 p.m September 10; and Roberta Anderson reading and signing Thank You, India, 7:00 p.m. September 12. All events are at F&F Downtown.
Tangled Tones Music Studio presents Playing With The Band this fall. For ages 12 and up: Play in a band, learn from professional musicians and instructors, write original songs, cove favorite songs, and record your music. Visit the website for the details.
The Gallery of Visual Arts and University of Montana School of Art present the annual School of Art Faculty Exhibition, now through September 19. Included in this year’s exhibition are faculty members Brad Allen, James Bailey, Kevin Bell, Mary Ann Bonjorni, H. Rafael Chacón, Jason Clark, Jennifer Combe, Elizabeth Dove, Julia Galloway, Matt Hamon, Trey Hill, Steven Krutek, Beth Lo, Elena Lourenco and Cathryn Mallory.
The Missoula Community Chorus is getting ready for another season. If interested in singing with this group, visit this website for the performing and rehearsal schedule.
The Friendship Force of Missoula and Western Montana meets September 10 at 5:30 p.m.- Potluck dinner and UM Irish Studies Program with Dr. Terrance O’Reardon at the Welcoma Club. On September 18-20 there is the Excursion trip to Olympia, Washington for the International FF membership workshop.
The Montana Repertory Theatre presents the Rolling Premiere of Broomstick by John Biguenet, September 11-14, 16-20 at 7:30 p.m., with 2:00 p.m. matinees as well on September 13 and 20, and September 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Masquer Theatre, PARTV Center on the UM Campus. $1 General Public, $14 Seniors/students, $10 Children under 12.
Snowbowl Mountain Music presents the David Grisman Sextet, September 14 at 5:00 p.m. Visit the website for more information.
The 13th Annual University Community Ice Cream Social to welcome new and returning University of Montana students to campus and Missoula’s neighborhoods is set for Sunday, September 14. The free event will run from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the 400 block of University Avenue. The street party will feature live music from the hillbilly jazz band Barnaby Wilde and much mingling, as well as appearances by UM Mascot Monte and Missoula city and UM officials. Participants can converse with their neighbors, browse informational tables and enjoy delicious Big Dipper ice cream. Sorbet is available for dairy-free diets.
The Missoula Children’s Theatre, in conjunction with Arts in Education Week, presents The Last of the Dragons, written by Kristin Walter and under the direction of Andy Meyers. The cast of this family-friendly show features 6 adult actors, and is guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages! Special matinee performances of 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. are scheduled on Thursday, September 11 and Friday, September 12, so all ages of school and homeschool groups can schedule a field trip to the theatre! On Saturday, September 13 there is one performance only at 10:00 a.m. The performances are at MCT Center for the Performing Arts, and approximately one hour in length.
The Zootown Arts Community Center will be accepting submissions for our annual group Festival of The Dead Art Show. We are looking for artworks inspired by Dia de los Muertos or your own interpretation of the cycles of life and death. The Call to Artists Deadline is September 22.
Aikido Missoula presents a 4 Week Fall Intro for beginning adults starting Tuesday, September 16 at 5:30 p.m. at 208 E. Main, Located on the 2nd floor of the historic Union Hall Building. This class meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m., through October 9. Please visit the website or call 549-8387 for more information on getting started.
Registration is open for the Flamenco Montana Festival, featuring Teo Morca, Carlos Lomas, and Vicente Griego, is September 18-21. Visit the website for more information.
The UM Creative Writing Program Hosts Writers’ Fall Opus with enjoy gourmet food, fine beverages, and silent and live auctions is Friday, September 19, will be held from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. at the Florence Building Governor’s Room, located at 111 N. Higgins Ave. Auction items include many signed, first-editions by regional and local authors; sky-blue topaz and diamond earrings; dinner for eight prepared by the Missoula College Culinary School; an original Harley Heddick photo of battling bison; a Fat Tire bicycle; original art pieces; broadsides by John Sayles, Tim O’Brien, Ivan Doig and Madeline DeFrees; and many more. More than 70 silent auction and 10 live auction items will be available at the event. For more information or to RSVP, call Karin Schalm at 243-5267.
Missoula Symphony Orchestra Concert, “Music, Love and Other Drugs” featuring Tim Fain, violin soloist. Our 60th anniversary kicks off with charismatic violinist Tim Fain, best know for his Grammy-nominated playing in the films, Black Swan and Twelve Years a Slave. October 4 at 7:30 p.m. and October 5 at 3 p.m. Dennison Theatre.
A Carousel for Missoula, a volunteer-built, hand-carved carousel in Caras Park, will be the topic of the Art Associates of Missoula monthly meeting. Please join us Wednesday, October 15, at 10:00 a.m. in Caras Park at the carousel to learn more about the carousel and its ~ famous in all the land ~ Painted Ponies! A rt Associates meetings are free and open to the public. For more information please call Susie at 544-0891
For more information about arts events in the Missoula area, visit the Missoula Cultural Council Website.
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Tom Bensen has lived in Missoula since 1986, and has been the executive director of the Missoula Cultural Council since June 2004. He has directed First Night Missoula each New Year’s Eve since 1997. He is a member of Missoula’s choral ensemble Dolce Canto, and enjoys being outdoors, whether it is hiking, biking, skiing, walking the dogs, or mowing the lawn. His wife Susan works for Montana Public Radio, and their son Peter attends Hellgate High School.