Livingston's fine galleries have earned the city the resputation of "The Heart of Art in Montana."
This small Western town with a laid-back atmosphere is home to a diverse array of artists, and is also the source of exceptional art.
Livingston and the surrounding area boasts many fine galleries and has earned recognition as a regional art center.
Several of the local galleries have joined together to form The Livingston Gallery Association, which organizes the popular summer Art Walks the entire community and visitors enjoy. During these events, each gallery introduces new exhibits by holding a public reception for the artists. These Friday night Art Walks take on a block party appearance and often last well into the evening.
Livingston Gallery Association Art Walks are traditionally scheduled for the fourth Fridays of the summer months — June 22, July 27, Aug. 24 and Sept. 21 this year — from 6:30 to 9 p.m. In November, there will also be a Holiday Art Walk, for which the date and time will be announced.
Most of the galleries are downtown within walking distance of each other.
(120 N. Main St., Tel. 222-1566, www.russellchatham.com) houses the work of Russell Chatham, a renowned landscape artist whose unique style permeates all of his interests.
(116 N. Main St., Tel. 222-3000, www.tierramontana.com). This gallery features fine art and fine craft, and "Artists of the Americas" extraordinary paintings, jewelry, glass, ceramic works, sculpture and furniture art.
Master weaver Ben Maestas creates hand-woven, naturally-dyed rugs and tapestries in the studio.
(112 N. Main St., Tel. 222-7847, www.garreart.com).
This gallery displays distinctly untamed interpretations of the American West. All paintings are the works of nationally collected artists John Garre and Karen Garre. Hours of business are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and by appointment.
(106 N. Main St., Tel. 222-6510, www.pcfadanforth.org).
Park County Friends of the Arts, Danforth Gallery is a nonprofit organization supported by the community, private and business contributors.
The Danforth exhibits contemporary art created by regional as well as nationally emerging artists working in all media.
This fast-paced gallery changes exhibitions every month from June to December. Hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m, and Friday, noon to 6 p.m,. or open by appointment.
During the remainder of the year, The Danforth hosts a film series, a free lecture series and other events.
(110 E. Callender St., Tel. 222-5122, www.livingstongalleries.com).
The gallery, which has a complete framing area as well as two showrooms for exhibition space, features original fine art and prints by regional artists. For those interested in history, the gallery also has a selection of historic Montana photographs and a collection of antique Yellowstone Park and Livingston-area maps, etchings and postcards.
Additionally, The Frame Garden offers a complete custom framing service, with an extensive selection of mats and molding and a certified picture framer on staff to assist with preservation and other questions.
Business hours are 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
(112 W. Callender St., Tel. 222-7618, www.reedlehmanpottery.com)
Features locally hand-painted redware, Reed Lehman's vibrant oil paintings, and a variety of unique jewelry and art objects.
The store specializes in hand-built pottery, from spoon rests and small trays to large serving bowls and dishes.
Business hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays throughout the summer.
(108 S. Main St., Tel. 222-0337, www.visionswestgallery.com)
Specializes in fine American art with an emphasis on Western and wildlife motifs.
The gallery represents both nationally recognized artists as well as talented, emerging artists. Visions West offers an array of paintings, sculpture and photography as well as a friendly and knowledgeable staff.
The in-house custom framing department specializes in conservation-quality framing and has one of the largest selection available in the area.
Summer hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
(109 S. Main St., Tel. 222-0321, www.bonnifidedesigns.com and www.parkegoodman.com)
The home of Parke Goodman's studio and Bonnifide Designs handmade glass beads and jewelry.
Parke Goodman's traditional oil landscapes capture the beauty and drama of Yellowstone and the northern Rocky Mountains.
Bonnie Goodman combines her beads with Austrian crystal and vintage glass to create her ever-evolving line of whimsical and elegant jewelry.
(119 S. Main St., Tel. 222-5222, www.livingstoncenter.org)
A tax-exempt organization dedicated to providing an opportunity for artists and professionals to share their skills and talents with the community at large.
The Livingston Center for Art and Culture provides a location for classes, a meeting and gathering space for educational interchange, and an exhibition gallery for artists' and students' works.
Also located at 119 S. Main St. is the PARKS REECE GALLERY (Tel. 222-5724, www.parksreece.com), featuring Reece's "peculiar perception" in original paintings, lithographs and reproductions.
The book "Call of the Wild: The Art of Parks Reece," Parks' critically acclaimed book showcasing 114 color plates of his art, is also available at the gallery.
"The royal jester of modern western art has to be Parks Reece ... simply an unsentimental, exquisitely modern painter of the West," stated WBUR NPR News Station.
(5237 Hwy. 89 S., Suite 11, Tel. 222-5445, www.johnbanovich.com.)
Features John Banovich, whose art is found in museums, corporations and numerous private international collections.
This award-winning artist specializes in large, dramatic oil paintings featuring subjects that live on all continents of the globe.
The gallery also shows other notable painters and sculptors who are masters in their medium and specialize in depicting international wildlife.
The gallery is open by appointment only.
(223 S. Main St., Tel. 222-5974, e-mail greetings2yew@aol.com)
Paradise Artworks does custom matting and framing and also sign and designs. The gallery's selection of fine original artwork and prints continually changes.
(113. W Park St., Tel. 222-5996, www.bcivilized.com)
This gallery features the work of Gwen Strachan and emerging contemporary artists as well as fair trade and handmade arts and jewelry.
(124 S. Second St., Tel. 222-2355, www.crazymountaindigitalphoto.com)
Features local and national photographers, with exhibits changing monthly.
The business also provides a variety of photographic services, including enlargements, restorations and studio portraits.
(six miles from downtown Livingston at 412 Fleshman Creek Rd., Tel. 222-0354)
This is the home and studio of bronze artist Don Strong. Call for directions and and appointments.
(723 W. Park St., Tel. 222-0877).
This new gallery shows the oil paintings of artist J. P. Spencer, as well as other work ranging from wildlife to European and Asian scenes.
The gallery also features the work of other area artists including bronze sculptures and jewelry. Other fine galleries located in the Livingston area include:
(2163 East River Rd., 3 miles south of Pine Creek, Tel. 222-6297, carolnewburyhowe.com).
Paradise Gallery features the paintings and bronzes of Carol Newbury Howe, and also showcases quilts, wooden vases, potpourri and Yogo sapphires by Montana artists.
(1390 East River Rd., Pray, Tel. 333-4704, www.shininingmountainart.com)
Is also the studio of Gary Holland and showcases his Western, Native American and wildlife acrylics.
(18 miles south of Livingston, on U.S. Highway 89, Tel. 333-4468, www.moosehorngallery.com)
This gallery specializes in original Western art and one-of-a-kind pieces.