Snow’s Here - Let’s Get Into That Holiday Spirit!AAI invites you to indulge in the spirit of the season. We’re having our AAI Christmas Holiday Social at the home of Patricia Bouta and Guido Niederoest. Mark your calendar for Sunday, December 13 from 1-4 pm. We’re hoping to see you there. Bring your spouse, a friend or a potential AAI member—and in a departure from tradition, but in the holiday spirit of sharing—bring a favorite hors d’oeuvres, drink or dessert to potluck. Please call or email party coordinators Chris Jewett (677-7001; silentwings@blackfoot.net) or Carol Brodie (677-6156: or cgbrodie@gmail.com) so they can coordinate the potluck offerings.

Look forward to carols around the piano and catching up with friends new and old. The traditional gift exchange will once again add to the holiday fun. As always, participation is optional, but if you do bring a gift, it’s value should not exceed $10 and please specify whether it is a ‘his’ or ‘hers’ item.

Due to parking constraints, carpooling is encouraged when possible.

Directions to the Bouta/Niederoest home, 147 Bass Court in Seeley Lake: From Valley Market, go east on Whitetail Drive. Go across the creek and make a left turn onto Black Bear Lane. After 1/8 mile, turn right onto Timberlane Drive, and after ¼ mile, make a right turn onto Bass Court on your right. Parking is available on the property and on Bass Court.

Talking It OutThe AAI Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 17th, at the Condon Community Hall will follow a strikingly different format this year. We will still start off at 1:00pm with our usual delicious potluck lunch, but the business meeting, which commences at 2:00pm, will be less old business and more group discussion. To better facilitate this, the various yearly activity reports, which traditionally take up the majority of our meeting time will not be given orally by committee heads but instead will be posted on our website (or sent to you by mail, upon request). Members are urged to read these postings prior to coming to the Annual Meeting. The first 30 minutes of our meeting will be given over to questions and answers about the posted information. Following that, we want to hear from you—because together we need to plan our priorities and programs as we begin this new decade.

- What are the most important aspects of AAI that should be preserved and or expanded? - What do we want to happen more often—e.g., events focused on artwork and creativity, or more support for art

in the schools? - Are there ways to make our volunteer-intensive fund raising events more effective? -How can we better challenge and support each others work? -How can we better support our staff members and the work they do? -What is your long-term vision for AAI?

The Annual Meeting will get us started listening to each other’s opinions and defining the right questions, but it's an opportunity that the Board feels is valuable; the discussion could be continued into the year. AAI is an organization that has grown and keeps growing. We have solid, substantial programs, and a dedicated volunteer base. Yet it's crucial to keep asking the above questions, to make sure our work reflects our priorities and mission, and that the members are getting the value out of the organization that we all deserve.

AAI Officers 2009

PresidentJenny Rohrer ¡ 754-0034rohrervid@aol.com

Vice PresidentBill Peabody ¡ 754-01912peabodys@blackfoot.net

SecretaryColleen Robinson ¡ 677-7315colleen@blackfoot.net

TreasurerCarol Brodie ¡ 677-6156cgbrodie@gmail.com

Member at Large2 Valleys Stage LiaisonBob Green ¡ 677-3056bobbycorno@peoplepc.com

Member at LargeCultural Arts Corridor LiaisonMerrily Dunham ¡ 754-3376merrilyrider@blackfoot.net

Executive DirectorMartha Swanson ¡ 793-5706marthaforaai@blackfoot.net

Newsletter EditorBetty VanderwielenBox 349, SL 59868 ¡ 677-7474vanderwielen @ blackfoot.net

Web Site CoordinatorSusan Novosel ¡ 754-0064webmaster@alpineartisans.org

2 Valleys Stage DirectorPolly Huppert ¡ 549-0933polly@huppertpc.com

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Somethings Old, Somethings NewPreparations for Wine & Chocolate 2010 are underway. This year’s committee intends to build on the great success of last year’s event—attendance at an all time high, largest overall profit, more than half the Live Auction pieces selling for over $200! The committee acknowledges, however, that there were some problems with last year’s event and their goal is to offer modifications that will make the day more enjoyable for everyone, as well as more profitable.

Wine & Chocolate 2010 will once again be held at Lindey’s, but the space will be allocated differently to allow for less crowded viewing of the art pieces. In conjunction with the need to make viewing a more comfortable and inviting activity, there will be a limit on the number of art pieces which a given artist can submit. AAI artists will be receiving a letter explaining the new system and the rationale behind it.

What other changes are envisioned? A better quality of wine will be offered for sale. A better PA system will be used. The raffle committee is looking into offering a few larger prizes (perhaps

winter entertainment items or activities) rather than having a number of smaller items.

Special effort will be made to give participating artists much desired feedback on their work, e.g., the Juror will be pressed to give either written or orally recorded comments; artist bios will not be made available so that art pieces will be judged solely on their own merits.

What will remain the same? The MC—Addrien Marx reports

that she enjoyed doing it last year and is willing and excited to do it again.

The Bank Display—First Valley Bank will once again provide a venue both for pre-viewing and for official judging.

The People’s Choice Award—back by popular demand.

The Arts Benefactor Award—this anxiously anticipated annual award will once again be presented as part of the Wine and Chocolate festivities.

Delicious, tasty, tantalizing chocolates!

What is still needed? A Chair for the Invitation, Thanks Yous, Pre-Sale Committee—this group

sends out special invitations to the event, handles pre-sale of tickets, and writes thank you notes to the appropriate people at the conclusion of the event. Exactly what to do when is delineated in full detail in one of those handy folders which records the wisdom of all those who previously chaired this committee, so don’t be afraid to step up if you are new to AAI volunteering.

Lots of worker bees for every committee. Please contact one of the following people who have already volunteered to be committee heads and offer them your help: Colleen Nicholson Arts Acquisition, 677-2517; Larrine Abolt Sales, 754-2972; Chris Jewett Display, 677-7001; Cheri Thompson Facility

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Management, 677-2309; Russ Abolt Juror, Auctioneer, Ribbons, MC, 754-2972; Jenny Rohrer Raffle, 754-0034; Georgina Staggs Refreshments, 654-8700; Littlebird Decorations, 754-2461; Carla Shade Publicity/Program, 499-0389. Or call Event Chairs, Martha Swanson (793-5706) or Jenny Rohrer (754-0034) for more information.

Art for the Arts BenefactorIt’s a daunting task to sort through the qualifications of the many folks who have given so tirelessly of their time and energy to support the arts in our valleys. But when the Committee finally chooses the person who will be named the Arts Benefactor for 2009, what better way to express our grateful appreciation than by presenting that person with a piece of original art by one of their fellow AAI members?

Do you have artwork—a painting, a framed photograph, pottery, jewelry, fiber art, woodworking, basketry, or ?—that you would like to submit to the committee as an option for what to give the Arts Benefactor? Alpine Artisans will pay up to $200 if your piece is chosen. The Committee tries to select art which they feel would be particularly appreciated by the Benefactor, and the wider choice they have, the better possibility for a perfect fit. Please submit a drawing, photo or detailed description of your piece by January 6th, 2010. Art Benefactor Committee, AAI Box 841, Seeley Lake, MT 59868. Questions: Martha Swanson 793-5706 or marthaforaai@blackfoot.net.

AAI Calendar of Events

November22-2 Valleys Stage Performance

UM Percussion EnsembleSwan Valley School

3:00pm

December13-AAI Annual Holiday Social

147 Bass Court, Seeley Lake1:00pm-4:00pm

January17-AAI Annual Meeting & Potluck

Condon Community Hall1:00pm

January24-2 Valleys Stage Performance

Rhythm AngelsSeeley Swan High School

3:00pm

February14-Wine & Chocolate

Lindeys Prime Steakhouse 1:00pm

March28-2 Valleys Stage Performance

Mud Bay Jugglers & Tune StranglersSeeley Swan High School

3:00pm

We’ve Got MailJeremiah Rittel, the 2009 recipient of the annual AAI Scholarship Award, sent us an update...My first semester at the University of Montana has been a blast! As a Music Performance major, I have a lot of classes in the music department which require hours and hours of practicing outside of class time. But, even though it’s been a lot of work, I’m loving every minute of it! I was honored to be selected as a freshman to be in the UM Symphony Orchestra as one of only three clarinetists (the other two are seniors). I also play in the Wind Ensemble, Clarinet Choir, a quartet ensemble, and a quintet.

Playing in the Marching Band gave me the chance to meet other students in a different setting than a classroom. Soon, I will be investing in a Buffet R13 professional clarinet which is totally exciting, but the absolutely most exciting part of life right now is planning for a summer semester in Vienna. That’s right—Vienna! The UM Music Department is offering a six-week program where I’ll get to walk in the steps of Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, Schubert, and Brahms. We’ll get to see and hear the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, visit Salzburg (the birthplace of Mozart), hear the Vienna Boys Choir, and see paintings and sculptures by Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Monet. We’ll be staying in a hostel located on 18th century palace grounds in the heart of Vienna. I’m making memories to last a lifetime with the help of the 2009 AAI scholarship. Thank you.

The Scholarship Committee encourages direct donations to the 2010 Scholarship Fund which enables AAI to assist talented young folks such as Jeremiah.

Opportunities for Artists

- make an inexpensive gift for the AAIHolidaySocial

- s u b m i t a p iece of ar t work for the Arts BenefactorAward (793-5706)

- arrange to have your artworkdisplayed at a 2 ValleysStageConcert(754-0191)

- create a design for the Loon&Fish2010T-shirt contest (793-5706)

- n o t i fy Mar tha of any recognition your artwork has received, so we can put you in the Spotlight(793-5706)

- arrange to have your artdisplayed at the SeeleySwanMedicalCenter(677-2783)

- contact Martha about being listed in the Artists’Galleryon the AAI website (793-5706)

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Cultural Arts Corridor ReportTour of the Arts 2009Artists participating in the 2009 Tour of the Arts Weekends this fall attracted visitors from Great Falls, Kalispell, Helena, Sioux Falls, Condon, Seeley Lake, Deer Lodge, and even Stockholm, Sweden! Outlying studios (Ovando, Potomac) averaged about 8 people on each of the weekends; those in Seeley and Condon drew closer to 80 per weekend. Some of the out-of-town visitors came as guests of locals, others heard about the Tour from the Missoulian or the Pathfinder, from area businesses such as Montana Island Lodge or Grizzly Claw, from Jenny Rohrer’s TV interview, from the booth at the Tamarack Festival, or simply by word-of-mouth —because the word is definitely out, touring Alpine Artisans’ studios and galleries is a fantastic way to spend an autumn day (or two). One gentleman took several brochures and is making plans to include AAI artist tours as part of his family reunion activities next year.

Nor is it just the guests who enjoyed these open studio opportunities. As one participant responded on the followup survey, “I had a great time visiting with the customers and I think the Tour is a great way to get people into our studios.” Sales ranged from cards to commissions, with five of the ten studios reporting sales greater than $500.

The Cultural Arts Corridor group is already discussing improvements for next year’s events. Of special concern are ways to include more artists, those who don’t have their own galleries. One suggestion was to rent a temporary space in downtown Seeley Lake, another was to have a few artists set up at each of our Lodging partners. Also mentioned was the possibility of spreading the two Tour Weekends farther apart, perhaps in June and October.

By Appointment, Market Place Booth, Tourism ToursThough the traditional Tour of the Arts weekends get the most publicity, the Cultural Arts Committee also facilitates other opportunities for AAI artists. Summer “by appointment” Studio/Gallery tours are ongoing, though only a few artists reported visitors last year, and only one had significant sales. Likewise, the opportunity to display at the AAI booth at Littlebird’s Market Place seems undervalued, with only about half the studios choosing to participate, though those who did felt the effort was worthwhile, a couple even reporting significant sales.

Another opportunity which the CAC has worked to bring to our valleys is Tourism Tours. In August, AAI Executive Director, Martha Swanson, set up tour visitations for the Flathead Travel Tour Agency. Guests from the Wilding Museum in Santa Barbara, California (a museum specializing in nature/outdoor

Swan Valley Copper bowls in various stages of preparation

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art) visited The Flying Popcorn Ranch, Third Life Studio, Swan Valley Copper, Swan Woods, Blue Yonder Photography, the Grizzly Claw, and even fit in a luncheon at Littlebird’s Café (owned by AAI member Vicki Voegelin). The entire event was not only greatly appreciated by the guests, but also very successful for artists as well as for the agency (which made a generous donation to CAC/AAI).

Open Book ClubThe Grizzly Claw Trading Company has been busy scheduling authors/poets for the Open Book Club series. September featured poetry readings. Chief Victor Charlo read from his collection called Put Sey (Good Enough) — deceptively simple poems revealing profound observations from his own life. In tandem with him, Lowell Jaeger discussed Poems Across the Big Sky, an anthology of Montana poets; he also read some of his own poetry from Suddenly, Out of a Long Sleep. Jaeger’s thought-provoking insights were often couched in entertaining humor.

October’s author, Richard Manning, displayed a passionate interest in the American prairie and public land management. Manning’s reading from his latest book, Rewilding the West, and the discussion following it stimulated listeners to ponder the relationships among such divergent things as prairie grasses, cattle grazing, buffalo grazing, fire, prairie dogs, preservation and economic necessities.

November featured Wendy Parciak’s Montana Book Award Honor Book, Requiem for Locusts. Wendy read short snippets, introducing her listeners to a number of the quirky people who make up the Locust Street neighborhood. Her novel explores the interactions of these characters; interwoven throughout with the vagaries of mental illness.

More exciting author readings are being planned for 2010.

2 Valleys Stage Business

SponsorsA big round of applause to the businesses who help make our

performing arts series a reality.

Double Arrow Resort

The Filling Station

First Valley Bank

Great Bear Properties

Lindey’s Prime Steakhouse

Linford Built Construction

Paws Up Resort

ReMarkable Cleaning Pro

Rovero’s

Seeley Swan Medical Center

Seeley Swan Pharmacy

Seeley Swan Veterinary &

Grooming

The Stage Station

Wold’s Valley Market

Summer Picnic ‘09Alpine Artisans treated themselves to a lovely day at the Double Arrow Homestead Cabin this August. Meeting, greeting, and friendly chat formed the appetizer section, followed by a potluck meal. But the real treat was the

dessert—not just the delicious culinary treats members brought to pass around, but also the delightful music offered by two of our recent Youth Grant recipients.

Thirteen-year-old Sarai Grace and twelve-year-old Will Clarke and their families joined us for the

picnic. It was nice to get a chance to know them—and even nicer to hear Sarai’s stunning soprano voice as she graced us with a few operatic selections, and to hear Will’s report on his UM Band Camp experiences followed by a few favorite tunes on his trumpet.

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Lots to Show, Lots to Tell...The tables in Petie Luckman’s converted garage were adorned with pinecone and mountain ash centerpieces, their beauty and simplicity accurately setting the tone for the day’s event. First the tables hosted the sharing of a delicious potluck. Then the food plates were replaced with an eclectic assortment of objects, and one by one participants began sharing the treasures they had brought.

Georgina Staggs showed everyone a hand-tooled tin-plate chest from Puerto Rico; Kristina Behnke passed around a lovely glass bird from Finland; and Colleen Nicholson presented several small items from Latin America, including a 3-legged pig, thought to be a good luck charm.

Georgia Shane proudly showed everyone the delightful rock art items made by her granddaughter; and Sue Cushman was moved to share a sketch done by her teenage neighbor the day before the Crazy Horse Fire advanced on his family’s house.

Alan Taylor told about his new ventures into gourd pyrography (wood burning) and passed around a sample that verified he was an apt student of his new craft. Petie displayed a water color painted by Sandi Antonich (AAI member who died last June)—a lovely rendition of the Edwards Homestead in White Sulphur Springs, built in 1901. Ken Dvorak brought an embossed lithograph (water color on embossed homemade paper) a creative process unique to the Blackfeet Native American artist, King Kuka.

Shari Hirst chose to wear her show ‘n’ tell—a yarn and fabric vest and matching handbag plus a little experimental “nothing.” Joyce Bissell proudly displayed the efforts of her Beginner’s Quilting Class—a lovely card table cover composed of four different quilt block patterns. Betty Vanderwielen demonstrated how to crochet a sturdy grocery bag out of plarn (cut up plastic grocery bags).

Jim Hewes’ art is too large to carry around, but he brought photos of his enormous geometric sculptural piece with soft snow collected on it, and outlined in ice. He also included a picture of the picnic table he built, with its relaxing high-backed seats. Jenny Rohrer’s latest project was not very portable either, but if you follow the web link www.montanameth.org and click on

“View Documentary” you can see the inspiring video that Jenny made for the Montana Meth project.

And Bob Korn offered us some wisdom about the difference between “production pottery”—the mugs, the teddy bears, the things that pay the bills —versus ART—the creative, often experimental, projects that sometimes turn out amazingly beautiful, as did the vase he passed around for viewing.

The tables got put away, the rug rolled up, and Petie’s garage once again became just a place to park cars. But the simple beauty we shared with one another, that remains with us still.

Thoughts from our BusinessSponsors

What do a construction company a gift store, and a bank have in common? Love of the arts! Though diverse in focus, all three of the following businesses applaud the offerings of AAI and 2 Valleys Stage in our valleys.

The Linford Built Construction crew is currently busy with residential construction and remodeling. Owner Ted and his family have been regular 2VS concert attendees since the first season. Ted comments that, not only is the exposure good for his children, it’s good for him. “My kids are getting artistically educated and so am I…just a little later in life than they are. Each performance has been unique. The variety is great! A couple of my favorites were Confluence, and Pavlo. My children report that the entertainers really know how to get the kids involved at informances and workshops held at school. Their all-time favorite performers were The Drum Brothers, Montana Rose and Bill Harley. The 2VS staff does a great job of making very appealing selections. Thanks!”

The Stage Station owners Frank & Geri Netherton, share a love of the arts. Artists, themselves, they feature their work and that of many other artists in their specialty retail store. Geri’s “Homestead Hot Glass,” is created with kiln-fired fused glass and fashioned into items such as serving platters, soap dishes and picture frames. Frank is an avid photographer and woodworker. His photos are featured in handmade wooden frames with blue pine wood matting. Take time to browse

continued p. 7

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through the store and experience the pleasure of viewing beautiful art, antiques, floral design, and a wide assortment of other specialty items. A fairly new addition is that of fine quality candies. Bonbons, truffles and salt-water taffy, plus some old favorites are just a few of the large assortment of sweets available. Other tasty treats are offered in the old-fashioned ice cream parlor. A quote from Geri, “Art is such an important and powerful tool of communication and insight…we all need to be exposed.”

Watch for the 1st Valley Bank promotional coming out soon explaining a new bank offering— e-statements. All that is needed is an email address in order to start receiving monthly bank statements by email versus snail mail. The bank continually strives to make all phases of banking more convenient for its customers.

For employees at 1s t Val ley Bank, attending a 2 Valleys Stage performance is a special treat. Concert tickets are given out as

“bonuses” for jobs well done. Last spring, six employees enjoyed a “Ladies Night Out”—dining at a local restaurant followed by the 2VS Lineage Dance Company performance. Asked for suggestions for the upcoming summer concert, the group suggested a dinner/theatre event or a drama troupe doing a play (similar to Shakespeare in the Parks).

continued from p. 6

Art for the StageAlpine Artisans’ 2 Valleys Stage brings some terrific talent every season. It also brings a great little sideshow—Art in the Lobby. The display of the works of one of our artist members at these events creates a wonderful melding of the visual and performing arts. The art pieces, attractively arranged by Pam Peabody, are available for viewing before and after the concerts and during intermission. This year, along with Double Arrow Lodge’s generous offer to host receptions after the Seeley Lake concerts, they have also offered the

“sideshow” artist an opportunity to display his or her work at the Lodge for the entire week prior to the performance.

If you are interested in being one of the Art in the Lobby artists, give Pam a call (754-0191).

Med Center ArtworkAlpine Artisans continues to supply a variety of art pieces for the reception area at the Seeley Swan Medical Center—something to help take patients’ minds off of more troubling matters.

Colleen Nicholson chose to inject a little humor for her display in October and December. Sorting through her personal photos of her own children when they were young, she selected a few which captured them in delightfully comical poses—rendered even more amusing by Colleen’s appended captions.

During December and January, Kris Gullikson’s watercolor’s will adorn the Medical Center’s walls. Kris’ training is in Advertising Design and Graphics, from the Colorado Institute of Art, but she credits her artist mother with a much earlier training in the discipline of careful looking. “The way light changes , the way

grass looks from a distance, what color snow is at sunset versus sunrise; these observations are all valuable to a painter,” Kris notes. “Especially in watercolor, which is all about the impression of what you see; so it has to be believable.”

Kris has dabbled in many different media through the years, from fabric (she’s an avid quilter) to acrylics. She took up watercolor painting 5 years ago, fell in love with it, and currently is focusing her energies on that medium.

“Sibling Rivalry”

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Our Artists in the SpotlightJan Jenson, who writes under the pen name Janet Kay, has published her first novel, Waters of the Dancing Sky. An inspirational love story, Waters of the Dancing Sky is an intriguing blend of fact and fiction that weaves an appreciation of nature and Ojibwe culture into mankind’s eternal search for meaning. One reviewer calls it “a brilliant tale of second chances and building a better, stronger, life.”

Jan spends her summers in a lakeside cabin in Wascott, Wisconsin, and her winters here on Big Sky Lake where she is an active AAI member. Check out her website www.watersofthedancingsky.com.

RichardScottMorgan recently participated in the 5th Annual Crescent Beach Paint Out in Florida. He and 29 other plein air artists painted on location at Anastasia Island, Vilano Beach, and historic St. Augustine capturing landscapes in oils, watercolors and pastels. Though currently a resident of Florida, Rich still values his membership in Alpine Artisans and even came back to be part of the 2009 Tour of the Arts, displaying his works at the Double Arrow Lodge.

TimSwanberg has two beautifully crafted end tables on display at the 2009 Western Montana Woodworking Exhibition, hosted by the Dana Gallery in Missoula.

VickiVoegelin is assisting a group of students from Seeley Swan High School in their efforts to raise money for a June 2010 cultural exchange trip with a school in Saragura, Equador. Student fundraisers have consisted of book sales and creating baskets filled with locally made or locally grown items from Littlebird’s Market Place Vendors.

ScottMilner (check out his New Member bio on p .9) is spearheading a 32-week after-school music program funded by the Seeley Lake Community Foundation. The program consists of guitar workshops on Mondays and after-school band on Tuesdays. Several home schoolers participate as well as Seeley Lake Elementary kids, and the program is also open to high school students. In addition, Scott has a Friday “School of Rock” program for 7th and 8th graders that introduces them to the electric guitar, bass, keyboard and drum kit, as well as singing with a microphone. Visits from local musicians are planned for both of these programs.

Scott requests that if anyone has unused (or unwanted!) instruments or other equipment suitable for a rock band, the group would be thrilled to accept your donations (please call the school office: 677-2265).

ReMarkable Cleaning Pro has been serving the cleaning needs of the Seeley Lake community and surrounding areas for over three years. We offer a full range of cleaning services, including post-construction clean-up, residential deep cleaning and weekly or regularly scheduled maintenance cleaning, commercial janitorial services, window washing, and expert carpet and upholstery cleaning, including stain and odor removal. We are a licensed Independent Contractor and are fully insured, including Workman’s Compensation coverage for all our employees. Our exclusive “touch and clean service” guarantees that we will clean all surfaces in your house or office, including ceilings, walls, windows, casements, cupboards and drawers, and all fixtures. We guarantee our customer’s satisfaction. We offer a no-mileage charge for customers within a 40-mile radius of Seeley Lake, encompassing Swan Valley/Condon, Greenough, Potomac, and Ovando. We have lived in the community for ten years, and count many of our friends and neighbors among our satisfied customers. We enjoy the incredible talent displayed by the 2 Valleys Stage Performing Arts Program and are pleased to be among its sponsors.

Highlighting one of our NEW

2 Valleys Stage

Busin ess Sponsors

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Meet Our Newest Member...ScottMilner was born and raised in Hamilton, earning his Bachelor of Music Degree in flute and performance at the University of Montana. He received a PhD in musicology from Brandeis University and a Teaching Certificate in music at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh. Scott taught back east for 30 years before returning to Montana, teaching first at Drummond and Hall before settling at Seeley Lake Elementary. He notes that he loves working with the K-8 children of this area--and he doesn’t stop when regular school hours are over (see Artists in the Spotlight). Scott has also recently become a member of the Coordinating Council of 2 Valleys Stage.

Scott often plays and sings locally, entertaining diners at Littlebird’s Schoolhouse and Cafe, at Double Arrow Seasons Restaurant, and at the Sunday Farmers’ Market. His repertoire spans originals, jazz standards, Bob Dylan, Hank Williams and Woody Guthrie. He notes that a high point of last summer was accompanying jazz singer, Katie Williams, at the Alpine Artisans 2 Valleys Stage benefit concert. In the classical field, Scott sings with Dolce Canto, a 24-voice acapella choir in Missoula. In addition, Scott often plays trumpet or tenor sax in local band concerts.

Scott and his wife, social scientist Miriam Hertz, are pleased to join Alpine Artisans in supporting the Seeley-Swan cultural community.

2010 Membership FormMembership category: Individual ($25) Family ($35) Business ($45) New Renewal

Sustaining Member* $______/month … or … $____ one time annual donation

Type of membership: Supporter of the Arts Artist (for pleasure, for livelihood, or both!)

Brief Description of Art Medium:

Name(s):

Business name: Web site:

Mailing address:

City, State, Zip:

Telephone: E-mail address:

The ongoing success of Alpine Artisans is due to its artists and amazing volunteers. May we count on you to help out now and then? Yes, give me a call! No, I’d prefer not.

One of the favorite features of Alpine Artisans’ website is our printable member listing which serves as a sort of 'AAI phonebook'. It is password protected and only AAI members have access to it. We will include your contact information on it unless you indicate you DO NOT want to be listed. I do not want to be included in the AAI directory

Please make your check to Alpine Artisans, Inc. and mail with this form to P.O. Box 84 ¡ Seeley Lake, MT 59868

* Sustaining Member dues can be paid as a once a year contribution or as an automatic monthly deduction from a credit card or First Valley account. For the auto deduction, please fill out the form on the back of this page. Questions? Contact Carol Brodie, AAI Treasurer, at 677-6156 or cgbrodie@gmail.com

Ready for anotherdazzling year?

Renew YouR

AAI Membership now!

WOW...we sure squeezed in a lot of terrific AAI events and activities in 2009,didn’t we?

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Where Does All the Money Go?An Invitation to Become a Sustaining AAI Member

We’d like to introduce you to a new Alpine Artisans initiative, the AAI Sustaining Membership. As a Sustaining Member, your regular monthly contribution will cover your annual AAI membership, will continue year to year, and will help ensure that Alpine Artisans has the ongoing resources necessary to continue our community programs. Your pledge can be an annual pledge, or can be an automatic monthly deduction from your credit card or First Valley Bank account. It is our hope that this membership level can create enough income to cover our core staff expenses—because annual dues and event income are not sufficient to cover those costs, nor the liability insurance and workers compensation which the organization must carry for our contractors and volunteers, nor other fixed costs such as mailings and newsletter production.

AAI’s mission since 1991 has been “to promote and preserve the arts in the Seeley Swan and Blackfoot valleys of Western Montana” and as such provides a structure for artists and art supporters to make connections and to create a collective force that benefits the entire community. As members, you can be proud of the broad range of activities sponsored and supported by your organization: The Loon and Fish Festival; Wine and Chocolate Social and Art Auction; 2 Valleys Stage performances series and in-school workshops; Tour of the Arts; Art Mobile visits to our three schools; in-school art workshops led by our member artists; Crown of the Continent summer event; art displays at First Valley Bank and the Medical Center; yearly scholarships to graduating seniors; summer youth grants; and more!

To become a Sustaining Member, you have three options:. You can give a single, annual donation. You can complete one of the forms below to authorize Alpine Artisans to either charge your credit card on a monthly basis or, if you bank at First Valley Bank and would prefer to have an amount transferred monthly from your bank account to Alpine Artisans, complete the Bank Account Transfer section. If you have any questions, please contact Martha Swanson (793-5706, marthaforaai@blackfoot.net) or Carol Brodie, AAI Treasurer (677-6156, cgbrodie@gmail.com).

Bank Account Transfer Form For AAI Sustaining MembershipName

Customer First Valley Bank Account #

I hereby authorize First Valley Bank of Seeley Lake, Montana to pay and charge my account debits payable to Alpine

Artisans, Inc. Account 18008, in the amount of $ each month beginning (mo./yr.)

provided there are sufficient funds in the above account to pay the same on presentation. It is understood that funds will

be transferred on the 10th of each month. This authority is to remain in effect until revoked by me in writing and, until you

actually receive such notice, I agree that you shall be fully protected in honoring such debits.

Authorized Signature Date

Credit Card Authorization For AAI Sustaining MembershipI hereby authorize Alpine Artisans to charge my credit card each month for my donation of $ per month as an AAI Sustaining Member. The charge will be posted on the 10th of each month.

Name as it appears on card:

Billing address on card:

Credit card number Exp. Date (mo/yr)

Signature Date

Mail form to Alpine Artisans ¡ P.O. Box 841 ¡ Seeley Lake, MT 59868

Backstageby Polly Huppert

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Our eighth season of the 2 Valleys Stage Performing Arts Series is officially underway. Dennis Stroughmatt et l’EspritCreole just finished their residency—and they did such a wonderful job in our community and schools! l’Esprit had folks wanting to dance; it was hard to hold still while listening to their energetic Creole music.

The new schedule of having all concerts on Sundays at 3:00pm seems to be a success. The concert was attended by 120 people, and there were many new faces in the audience, including 20 students. Attendance has been steadily increasing as word gets out about the high quality of our concert series. To make one comparison, we have groups on our series that are also performing in Missoula on the University Theater series, but our price is less than half of theirs, with far less travel time.

Following the concert, Double Arrow Lodge hosted a “Meet the Guest Artists” reception. This was a great opportunity for folks to interact with Dennis, Matt and Rob in an informal setting. Double Arrow has graciously agreed to host similar receptions for our January and March concerts—some light munchies and a cash bar, a warm fire and good company.

Dennis, Matt and Rob were also a big hit with students at Swan Valley School, Seeley Lake Elementary and Seeley Swan High School. Their workshops in Creole culture, cuisine, music and history brought a little taste of Louisiana directly into the classrooms. Students were very actively engaged and had great questions. Did you know that jambon is French for pork? Did you know that okra is an African vegetable? And, do you know where sugar cane comes from, and what the growing requirements are? Where did the French influence in Louisiana originate? These were just a few questions that led our students to a better

understanding of a culture very different from their own. I heard so much positive feedback on this residency and what a wonderful opportunity it was to have these artists in the schools. Without the 2 Valleys Stage program, many students might never have the opportunity to hear live music or see live dance.

If you are new to AAI, please attend a concert—or come to a school informance; it’s a perfect opportunity to witness first-hand the impact this program is having on our community.

This newsletter will go to press before I have time to report back to you on the success of our next concert, TheUniversityofMontanaPercussionEnsemble under the direction of Dr. Robert Ledbetter. But it’s sure to be a crowd pleaser.

January of the new year brings the fun of Winterfest. And 2 Valleys Stage will be joining the celebrations by bringing the transcendental yet earthy vocal harmonies of the RhythmAngels to our valleys. Their concert is 3:00pm, January 24th, at Seeley Swan High School. Please show your support of the performing arts in our own community by attending—and be sure to bring a friend. See you there.

HandClappin’FunWant to see how much our local students enjoy 2VS performer visits? Go to www.alpineartisans.org and select “Informances” under the “2 Valleys Stage” tab. You’ll see photos and even a short video clip of the l’Esprit Creole Informance.!

P.O. Box 841Seeley Lake, MT 59868www.alpineartisans.org

Connecting the Dot

alpineartisans.org

It’s something of an oxymoron to take a watercolor and convert it to grayscale to accommodate the needs of our black-and-white newsletter. How much of Kris Gullikson’s painting is lost when you can’t see the blues of the sky, the purples of the mountains, the shades of yellows in the field, the differing browns of the aging barn! If you have occasion to go to the Medical Center, you can see the painting there in all its beauty, but perhaps a more convenient method is to connect to the dot—www.alpineartisans. org.

Webmaster, Susan Novosel, does an outstanding job of posting a wealth of information on our Alpine Artisans website. She has numerous color photos of previous and upcoming events, as well as a color Gallery identifying member artists and showing a piece of their artwork. There’s information about our community programs and our Youth Grants and Scholarships Programs, about 2 Valleys Stage, about each of our yearly events, even a listing of all our sponsors. And that’s just what’s available for viewing by the general public; in addition, there’s a whole section for members only (it’s password protected—if you have forgotten the password, give Martha a quick call: 793-5706). AAI folks can download minutes from the last Annual Meeting or the latest notes from the W&C planning meeting; they can access a reimbursement form or a gallery request form; they can even access or download and print out a list of all the current AAI members with their phone numbers, addresses, and other details.

AlpineArtisans.org is a valuable resource and a continuing source of delight, housing more photos (and in full color!) than we can fit into this newsletter. Treat yourself . . . connect to the dot.