Weather, COVID concerns prompt more changes to BPSW fall schedule

Rainy weather Aug. 21 prompted Sculpture in the Wild to re-schedule the Teepee Burner performance by The Wilbur Rehman Quartet until Sunday Sept. 5. The program, slated from 4 - 6 p.m., with special guest MJ Williams on vocals and trombone, will now serve as an informal kick-off to this year's Artist-in-Residence program that begins Sept. 7.

"Listen to great Jazz; meet the artists and catch up with the Artistic Director Kevin O'Dwyer," BPSW President Becky Garland said. "Bring your lawn chairs, snacks, refreshments and enjoy the afternoon at Sculpture in the Wild."

The artist talks for Beth Korth and Michael Brolly, set for Sept. 9 and Sept 14 respectively, have been moved to the Lincoln Community Hall after the recent uptick in COVID-19 related to the Delta variant led the Lewis and Clark Public Library to re-instate the closure of the community room at the Lincoln Library.

The presentation by Montana Poet Laureates Melissa Kwasny and M.L. Smoker, slated for Sept. 16, has also been moved to the Hall.

The original schedule for this falls events, published in June, saw changes earlier this month after Artist Bently Spang delayed his residency until 2022 due to a workload backlog following the 2020 pandemic shutdowns. The cancellation of the Sept. 18 Café Music Night fundraiser due to ongoing concerns about COVID also led to cancellation of a public performance by Composer-in-Residence Philip Aaberg that had been planned for Sept. 19.