Out West Art Show Preview

As the weather warms and the days grow longer two things are certain in Wyoming: Winter isn't over - it will snow again - and it's time to head north by northwest to Great Falls, Montana, for Western Art Week.

It's hard to believe, after months of painting and preparation, that next week is the show. As for the past three years, I will have room 177 at the Out West Art Show located in the Best Western Plus Heritage Inn. My room is on the ground floor, west side of the building. You can't reach it from the central courtyard. You have to follow the hallway that runs between rooms. When you arrive you will get a map and if in doubt, be sure to ask how to find me.

One difference this year is I'll have a guest in my room. Jake Gaedtke and I met several years ago when we were both in Mendocino for an event. Since then he and his wife, Janice have moved to Bozeman. He helped me get into the Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters and we hit it off well. It seems our work is similar enough not to feel out of place together, yet different enough not to seem redundant. I'm looking forward to having another artist in the room and we'll set it up like a living room with comfy chairs in which to relax and visit. So if you want some good art and art talk, come by room 177. There will be plenty of new work to contemplate and entice you.

The show opens to the public on Wednesday evening, March 15. The final day is Saturday the 18th. Except for Wednesday it opens at 10:00 each morning and closes at 10 p.m. Admission is free.