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Current Exhibitions:

Speaking Volumes: Transforming Hate
Thayer, Mungas/Volk and Rothschiller Galleries
May 21 – August 1, 2009
Opening Reception 5:30 - 7:30pm May 21st

Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art is pleased to join in a network of 10 state-wide museums acting as presenters for the exhibition Speaking Volumes: Transforming Hate, an exhibition that seeks to encourage dialogue, empathy for others, and respect for social justice.

The exhibition organized by the Holter Museum of Art, presents art work by a wide range of artists who reflect upon and transform volumes of white supremacist propaganda.

The impetus for this unique project came from the Montana Human Rights Network (MHRN). As part of their work to research and counteract the efforts of racist groups, the MHRN acquired a large quantity of books from one of the most virulent white supremacist groups in the nation’s history, the World Church of the Creator. The search to creatively use the books as a catalyst for change led to involvement with curators at the Holter Museum of Art in Helena, Montana.

"Exhibitions like Speaking Volumes: Transforming Hate are part of a national movement to use the arts to stimulate civic dialogue. The FBI reports that hate crimes rose eight percent last year. This exhibition and the participating artists seeks to re-frame the problem, enabling us to look more carefully at the sources of fear, hate, and xenophobia—and to respond creatively through art and dialogue." Katie Knight, Exhibition Curator.

The statewide tour of this exhibition is sponsored by the Museum and Art Gallery Curators Association of Montana (MAGDA). Support for educational and outreach resources that accompany the exhibition is generously provided by the Prop Foundation and the Fund for Tolerance of the Montana Community Foundation.

Lisa Easton: Field/Work
Wylder Gallery
June 1 - September 12, 2009
Opening reception 5:30-7:30p June 4th
Artshare presentation 6p

No material is excluded from Lisa Easton’s art-making arsenal and she is as adept at forming concrete as she is in welding steel and painting. In her own teaching at Great Falls High, she leads by example as she introduces and expands her audience to contemporary art statements. Local patrons will recognize Lisa Easton as the creator of the sculpture, Two Sisters, and concrete tables and benches sited on the museum grounds.

Of her own work, Lisa says: “My interest in human connectivity and relationships informs my work in functional design. This has resulted in the creation of various kinds of seating in materials such as concrete, mild and stainless steel, aluminum, stone and salvaged wood. These become visual, physical metaphors that invite experiences of personal contact between two people. Metal, especially mild steel, is a favored vehicle in much of my artistic production.”—Lisa Easton

The exhibition is comprised of recent work created by the artist specifically for presentation at The Square.

To download an on-line brochure for this exhibition please click HERE.

Exhibition Sponsored by:

Great Falls Arts Association Juried Exhibition
Great Falls Clinic Community Gallery at The Square
June 15 – August 22, 2009
Reception: 5:30 – 7:30pm June 18, 2009 (shared with Ad Club Scholarship Exhibition)
ArtShare presentation 6pm

Prior to the establishment of contemporary art museums in Montana, the Montana Institute for the Arts (MIA) led as a catalyst for the promotion and presentation of contemporary art across the state. The MIA established local chapters and the GFAA was originally formed as the Great Falls branch, changing to the current name in the 1980s.

The Square honors its past, the people and group that contributed to the
founding of the museum in 1977, the Great Falls Arts Association (GFAA),
which continues to strive to further acceptance and enthusiasm for the arts.
GFAA monthly meetings include demonstrations by local artists and hands
on activities for the participants. GFAA membership includes artists of all
ages, backgrounds and levels of expertise and the public is always welcome
to attend monthly meetings.

The Square is honored to present recent work by GFAA members in an exhibition
juried by Great Falls artist Susan Thomas. Join us as we celebrate recent accomplishments by member artists who continue to build a relationship
between the arts and the Great Falls community.

Featured artists: Brenda Barthelmeh, Sally P. Beall, Doris M. Boyle, Patricia
Bushly, Frances Carlson, Barbara Chigbrow, Ann Christensen, Janet A. Christina, Carol l. Collins, Gary Davison, Brandy Dey Deshner, Lorraine A. Dooner, Dorothy P. Erickson, Betty Filius, Ruth Franklin, Pamela Gode, Larry D. Goff, Mary Ellen
Gutacker, Bernie Hagerman, Alana Hastings, Carol Hoglund, Aaron Kueffler, Norma Lawrence, Gudrun Linden, Paulette Matlosz, Arlene Berg McDonald, Galina Milohov, Holly Oswalt, Sarah Ozment, Ron Paulick, Jean L. Price, Karen Lefler
Raymond, Daryl Ries, Sarah Rowley, Connie ‘CM’ Rubens, Darlene Sanford, Janet Sedlacek, Carol Spurgeon, Nancy Stephens, Barbara Tate, Terry A. Thall and Leroy A. Wesche

2nd Annual Ad Club High School Art Scholarship Exhibition: Ariel Baker
Collector’s Gallery
June 15 – July 18, 2008
Reception: 5:30 – 7:30pm June 18, 2009 (shared with GFAA exhibition)

Since its inception in 1977, Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art has been devoted to presenting educational and community arts projects. Every spring, museum patrons have an opportunity to view Great Falls Public Schools student artwork. Following in that tradition, The Square continues in a partnership (formed in the spring of 2008)
with AAF-Great Falls, Ad Club, to present the work by its annual scholarship winner. This year’s exhibition features work by Ariel Baker a graduating senior from C. M. Russell High School, Great Falls.

Exhibition Sponsored By:

This programming is made possible by the generous support of our members and supporters, with ongoing support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the Montana Arts Council
and Cascade County.