ACHS Hosts Artisan Tour Stop
Live artist demonstrations took place at the Historic P. & I.N. Depot on July 18 and 19 as part of the Artisan’s Tour in the Mountains events. The tour featured almost 30 artists and spanned galleries and working studios in New Meadows, McCall, Donnelly and Cascade. The stop at the Depot included work by four local artists along with a historical display celebrating the 250th birthday of the United States. The Adams County Historical Society (ACHS) helped bring the tour to New Meadows and hosted the gallery.
In 2013, New Meadows artist Debbie Barnett was commissioned to paint a scene reflecting the life and times of Packer John for an exhibit about the same and his cabin. This past weekend, Barnett was set up in front of this painting, the largest she had ever done, with a table displaying many of her other beautiful paintings, including the smallest one she has ever made. Barnett’s art features local animals and places, flowers and scenes of life on her ranch. She has been painting since she was about ten years old. Her art spans decades of practice and observation Nearby, wood works designed and created by Mr. Barnett, including walnut wood napkin holders, were also available for sale.
Local historian, musician and artist Dale Fisk demonstrated the art of scrimshaw on Saturday during the open house. Fisk has been carving since 1976. Another artist described seeing the technique saying the dotted design really stood out with surprising detail. Scrimshaw is an art technique that involves carving, engraving or tattooing type imprinting on horns, bones, teeth or tusks. The medium became popular among whaling ship sailors in the 1800s.
When turning into the Depot Freight Room gallery, guests were greeted by the many eyes on photographer Dan “Hoby” Richards’ bird and animal photos. Former Meadows Valley High School science teacher and current Forest Service wildlife technician, Richards spends a great deal of time outdoors observing wildlife. His business name, For the Birds Photography, reflects his love for birds. Richards shared that his favorite bird is the Northern Goshawk and described some experiences in the woods with them. His art is printed on various mediums including on metal, which gives a distinct, durable and long lasting print. I enjoyed the stunning close up images of a Swainson’s hawk and an osprey.
Bronze wildlife sculptor Allen Malaise has been pursuing art as his work since the mid 1980s. Malaise shared about his current medium, bronze art, which he began working with in 2018. A range of sculptures included a flying hummingbird, a downhill skier and a bucking bull. Malaise spoke with me about his techniques and his experience with each sculpture measuring out correct sizing and determining how to balance the live action shapes.
The Artisan Tour was arranged by the Horizons’ Lifestyle and Education Team along with the West Central Mountains Creative District. The group arranged a passport system for guests and anyone visiting ten or more artists was entered in a drawing to win art or wares from participating artisans. ACHS member Sandra Dryden shared that the tour began organizing four years ago. Dryden said she worked toward having some Meadows Valley artists participate. She added that the Depot, “has served as a hub for the artists” adding that two artists held a hub in their home in Meadows Valley one year.
