A busy month for Sculpture in the Wild

While it's been a busy summer at the park, September is historically the busiest time of the year for Blackfoot Pathways: Sculpture in the Wild.

For three weeks beginning Sept. 9, BPSW will host two artists, Stuart Ian Frost and Alison Stigora, for the park's 2019 Artist in Residence program. Visitors to the park will be able to see the work in progress as the artists work on their sculptures, and volunteers are welcome to assist the artists throughout their residency.

Frost is a British artist based out of Norway, and throughout his career he's sought out specific places in various countries to carry out site-specific projects.

"Stuart's production as a whole is characterized by the interest for the physical character of the natural-objects, their specific place within their specific environment and their relationship to culture, myths and history," his bio says. "It is with this perspective in mind that he creates his work. Frost works also directly in the landscape where he lets the work spring out of the material and environment, later letting nature take its natural course."

Stigora is based in the United States and is an alumna of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. According to her bio, "she is a site-specific artist specializing in sculpture and installation. She creates multi-sensory experiences tailored for each site and audience, and has collaborated with architects, engineers, dancers, and lighting designers in development of her projects. She transforms quotidian materials such as cardboard, corrugated plastic, and wood into engaging sculptures and textured spaces. Stigora has also worked with glass, resin, metal, sound, and video and allows location and concept to drive her choices of material."

Both new installations are slated to be unveiled Sept. 28.

The Education in the Wild program will welcome school-aged students from more than 30 schools throughout Montana from Sept. 16-27, during the second week of the artists' residency. The program allows students to explore the park, meet the artists, and make their own temporary works of art. It also includes talks on wildlife by U.S. Forest Service personnel.

Café Night, slated for Saturday, Sept. 21 is officially sold out. The evening will feature candle-lit tables, a buffet dinner, a live auction to benefit the arts and education program at Sculpture in the Wild, and a performance by Phil Aaberg and friends.

On Sunday, Sept. 22, Festival in the Wild features tours of the park and a concert by Jondu and guests, at the Lincoln Community Hall. The concert features music from Delta blues to 13th Century Irish music. It begins at 3 p.m. and is open to the community. Admission is free.

For more information on the events and how to volunteer, please visit the park's website at: http://www.sculptureinthewild.com/home.html or contact Becky Garland at 406-431-0325.