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Museum Overview
The Hockaday Museum of Art's mission is to enrich the cultural life
of our community and region, and preserve the artistic legacy of
Montana and Glacier National Park. The Museum maintains a permanent
collection and offers rotating exhibits by nationally renowned and
emerging artists, in addition to a permanent exhibit of Glacier
National Park art and culture. A Discovery Gallery provides hands-on
activities for children that changes along with the rotating
exhibits.
Museum History
In 1967, the Flathead Branch of the Montana Institute of the Arts
explored the need for a community art center in the Flathead Valley.
Area residents responded enthusiastically, and on February 10, 1969,
the Flathead Valley Art Association opened the Hockaday Center for
the Arts as a community art center in the Carnegie Library building.
The founders of the art center were Ed Bailey, Corrine Lundgren,
Anne McLeod, Greta Sliter, and Janet and William Bierrum. Original
board members included Gary Christensen, Wallace Roberts, Lillian
Tubb, and Neil Hunter.
The art center was named for Lakeside artist Hugh Hockaday
(1892-1968), who had moved to the Flathead Valley after a successful
career as a commercial artist, and who passed away during the
conversion of the Carnegie library to an art center. In 1998, the
Hockaday Center changed its name to the Hockaday Museum of Art to
reflect its new focus as a museum.
Building History
The Hockaday
Museum is housed in a turn-of-the-century Carnegie Library Building
that is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places. The more
than 100-year-old building, now handicapped accessible, has
undergone significant renovations to create a sophisticated museum
setting while retaining the building’s historic beauty.
Permanent
Collection
The
Museum’s growing permanent collection focuses on the art and
artists of Montana. Featured in the permanent collection are works
by Bud Helbig, Ace Powell, O.C. Seltzer, Russell Chatham, Jeanne
Hamilton, Hugh Hockaday, David Shaner, Thomas English, Bob Scriver,
Gary Schildt, Tom Saubert, Frank Hagel, Mark Ogle, Jeff Walker, and others.
Crown of the Continent: Glacier National
Park Gallery
This
permanent exhibition captures the nostalgia and grandeur of Glacier
National Park that today still attracts so many artists seeking to
portray its greatness. It features works by significant Glacier Park
authors, photographers, and painters as well as Park collectibles,
including vintage maps and hand-tinted photographs. While artists
change from time to time, the exhibit always features the art and
culture of Glacier National Park.
The
current installation exhibits works from the Museum’s permanent
collection as well as some long-term loans. Artists include Winold
Reiss, Ralph Earl DeCamp, Joe Scheurle, Fred Kiser, T.J. Hileman,
Roland Reed, John Clarke, Thomas English, Joe Abbrescia, along with
James Willard Schultz, George Bird Grinnell, Mary Roberts Rinehart
and many others.
Education
The
Museum offers a variety of art classes and workshops for children
and adults, taught by the Museum’s Director of Education as well
as special guest instructors. The Museum also offers special
education programs, lectures and demonstrations related to the
exhibits.
Artist
Residency Programs
In
2003, the Bob Marshall Foundation, Flathead National Forest,
Hockaday Museum of Art and Swan Ecosystem Center joined forces to
create the Artist-Wilderness-Connection project, an annual
artist-in-residence program that connects artists with the Flathead
National Forest, the Hockaday Museum of Art and area communities. The
program consists of an artist residency, forest experience, and
community extension. The artist-in-residence program benefits the
artists, offering a remote setting to focus on their art, and
benefits the public through the presentations the artists offer.
Arts
in the Park
Arts in the Park, in its 39th year in 2007, is the largest art and
music festival in Northwest Montana. With over 100 fine artists and
craftsmen, wonderful foods, and great entertainment, this juried art
show is a benefit for the Museum and a favorite for browsing and
buying jewelry, photography, paintings, and pottery. This festival
is held the fourth weekend in July each year in Kalispell’s Depot
Park.
Benefit
Auction of Miniatures
This
invitational exhibit culminates in a silent auction of miniatures
(works 9 x 12 or smaller) in a variety of mediums by some of the
finest artists from Montana and the West to benefit the Hockaday
Museum. Each year, the Museum asks patrons to vote for the Purchase
Award, which is purchased by the Museum for its permanent
collection. Purchase Award winning artists include R.E. Pierce,
Frank Hagel, Joe Abbrescia, Mark Ogle, and Jeff Walker.
Off the Wall
Gift Gallery
The
Museum’s Off the Wall Gift Gallery features unique pottery,
jewelry, cards, and artwork created by the diverse and talented
artists of the Flathead Valley. It also offers a wide selection of
books
on the art, history, and culture of Montana, as well as exhibition
posters, catalogs, cards, t-shirts, and more. The Museum also has an
gift gallery for
on-line shopping. All proceeds benefit the Museum’s exhibit
and education programs.
Special
Admission Days
On
the second Thursday
of each month, the Museum offers free admission and refreshments for
seniors. The second Saturday of each month is Student Saturday, with
free admission for all students. Corporate Days give all employees
of Business Members free admission on the first Friday and Saturday
of each month.
Hours
The
Hockaday Museum is open year-round. The Museum’s winter hours
(September through May) are
Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Summer
hours (June to August) are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6
p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission
Admission to the Museum is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for
students, with free admission for Museum members.
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