Sculpture in the Wild earns Governor's Art Award

Eight years ago, the idea of an international sculpture park in Lincoln seemed like a pretty crazy idea, but as 2020 – a notably crazy year itself – drew to a close, Blackfoot Pathways: Sculpture in the Wild added another feather to its cap as one of five honorees recognized with the Montana Governor's Arts Award.

In a Dec. 29 press release from the Mon-tana Art's Council, Gov. Steve Bullock announced the awards, which are bestowed on individuals and organizations that "demon-strate artistic excellence, dedication to Montana and ongoing contributions to its cultural community."

BPSW President Becky Garland said the award reflects all the work that Artistic Director Kevin O'Dwyer, the BPSW board and the community of Lincoln have put into the sculpture park.

"I just think it's a great thing for all of Lincoln. It just means we really are on the map, and we really are an art destination," she said.

"I do know it's a great honor to have received the award," said BPSW board member Jennifer Bottomley-O'Looney, who works for the Montana Historical Society and has attended Art's Award presentation ceremonies in the past. "It's only given to the most outstanding individ-uals and organizations work-ing in the creative field; those who demonstrate the utmost in artistic excellence."

During the nomination period in early 2020, BPSW received nine nominations from locals and visitors alike.

"I think it's too exciting," said Laurie Richards, who was one of the people to nominate the park. "I really would have probably been shocked if they didn't get it. Wouldn't everybody? I think it is much deserved."

In her nomination, Rich-ards noted her father's role in building the Delaney Mill Teepee Burner – now the symbol for BPSW – and the impact the sculptured park has had on the town's econo-my as well as it's self-esteem "The sculpture park has brought so much to Lincoln and is kind of bringing back our history, in sculpture form," she told the BVD.

A profile of the park from the Montana Arts Council highlights the development of the BPSW, its impact

on the local economy, it's dedication to education – particularly for kids – and the impression it's left on artists-in-residence, eight

of whom submitted letters of support for the award.

"The fact that the com-munity leaders and residents were able to envision and then rework a patch of rough ground into a viable sculpture park is impressive," wrote Patrick Dougherty, who cre-ated the popular 'Tree Circus' installation in 2017. "They took their friendliness, their hunting and fishing ways, their love of wilderness, and redirected some of that en-thusiasm towards building an art experience which works."

Northern Cheyenne artist Bentley Spang, who is slated to be one of the artists-in-residence this year, noted his appreciation for the sculpture park's environment.

"It's a contemplative space that gives the artworks the breathing room they need to be appreciated," he wrote. "The artwork is situated in an unaltered, natural landscape rather than a concrete, manicured art space, a decision that respects the quiet power of the forest in this part of the world now called Montana: a place that mine and many other tribal nations, since the beginning of time, simply called and still call, home."

Garland thanked all the artists who have created artwork for Sculpture in the Wild. "Their artwork is of high integrity and really portrays the history of Lincoln through an artist's eyes."

In 2019, BPSW won Montana's 2019 Heritage and Cultural Tourism award, as well as the Lewis and Clark Heritage Council Histor-

ic Preservation Award for O'Dwyer's "Montana Memo-ry: Re-Imagining the Delaney Sawmill TeePee Burner."

Other honorees for this year's Arts Award include Patty Bergquist, the director of the Montana Art and Gal-lery Directors Association; Arlynn Fishbaugh, retired executive director of the Montana Arts Council; artist, curator and writer Gordon McConnell; and artist and educator Willem Volkersz.

Although the art award medals are usually presented in the old Supreme Court chamber at the capitol building in Helena, they will instead be distributed by the Montana Art's Council due to COVID-19.

Past recipients of the award include BPSW's 2021 composer-in-residence Philip Aaberg, who was recognized in 1995, and 2016 honoree Blackfeet musician Jack Gladstone, who performed at the 2014 launch of the six original BPSW installations.