Ninepipes Museum

of Early Montana History

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Laurie Childs

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Laurie Child’s Photography Artist Bio

www.Lauriechildsphotography.com

Growing up in Montana gave me a fondness for the West and its people.  Traveling for work as an environmental scientist has taken me to some stunning places to study the biology and geology.  What I have realized is land without people is just that—land.  Photography allows me to link people and emotions with the land that makes the West distinct. Through the camera, my heart comes home.  My lens and spirit fell for the wild culture of the West, it’s welcoming communities, and their gritty work ethic.  Honoring that connection and the love others have for this region is the centerpiece of my work.

My latest personal project involves gold leaf gilding images I captured of the West.  Creating iconographic images from our natural world and cultures.

Jim Thomason

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My name is Jim Thomason and I am a long-time Montana artist. I started out my career doing pencil drawings, moved into watercolors, and in the last few years have transitioned into oil painting. I specialize in western art; featuring Native Americans, Cowboys, both historical and contemporary. I also include military, western landscapes and wildlife. The research of my subject is fun for me and I think the authenticity of my work makes it more appealing, more real for the viewer. Whether it is the correct hat or hairstyle, moccasin pattern or headdress, saddle or gun, for me, the correct details make the painting.

Over the years I have been an award-winning artist and have participated in art shows from Minnesota to Arizona and all points in between. I am now discovering the fun and joy of a new challenge in oils. It has opened up a whole new aspect of painting for me and I am excited to share my work with the viewing public.
My wife and I recently moved to Arlee, Montana with our 2 horses, 2 dogs and a cat. We are enjoying our home in the Jocko Valley and are in the process of opening up a small studio/gallery at our residence on Highway 93. Please stop in Western Artworks Studio and Galley and visit us.

SEPTEMBER 3RD FIRST SATURDAY

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Artist: Jim Thomason

 I have been a watercolor artist for over 30 years.  I have recently moved into oil painting which I love.  My themes are typically western, military, Native American, and wildlife.  I enjoy the historical research needed to ensure accuracy in my paintings.   My wife and I have recently relocated to the beautiful Jocko Valley in Arlee, Montana where we share a small farm with our 2 horses, 2 dogs and one interesting cat.  I am opening a small gallery/studio this summer and hope you will stop in if you are in the area.

Whitefish Credit Union Presents: Member Stories

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Not long ago, Whitefish Credit Union donated a pair of winter moccasins they had displayed in their Polson branch lobby for many years, along with some items loaned by Bud and Laurel Cheff, long time Credit Union Members. The old moccasins were for every-day use, worn and repaired, hinting at the story of a person’s life in the footsteps they represented.  The interaction between Bud and Lizzie Kozar of Whitefish Credit Union led to another story, in Bud and Laurel and the museum they founded being featured in a video series sponsored by Whitefish Credit Union called “Member Stories.”

The video project was produced by Lizzie Kozar and videographer Brandon Gray of Graybeard Films. This was such a fun project and a bit of an adventure, involving the swamp I played in as a child, the bear wallow Bud tells stories about, grizzly sightings, and Laurel in her home element with her paints. Lizzie and Brandon put everyone at ease instantly with their warmth and curiosity. When completed, this project will be available on the Whitefish Credit Union Website www.WhitefishCU.com and our website. Watch for more updates on the video story this fall.

Montana History Foundation Grant Completed

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Ninepipes Museum has just completed a collections policy and procedure manual, an important core document for all museums. The manual serves to demonstrate to the public that the museum holds its collections to the highest standards of ethical, legal and professional care while simultaneously fulfilling its mission.  It aligns with the code of ethics set forth by the American Alliance of Museums and serves as an example for other museums around the valley. Thank you, Montana History Foundation, for making this essential project possible.

Also, special thanks to Hockaday Museum Curator Pat Roath, Nancy Fonicello, Objects Conservator and Digital Archives Specialist, Ancient Artways Conservation LLC,  MHS senior curator Jennifer Bottomly-O’looney, for reviews and edits, CSKT Council Chair Tom McDonald, and CSKT Cultural Committees Directors Sadie Peon and Vernon Finley for advice and review on our Indigenous Cultures and Ritual Care Policy.  The Policy Manual will be available for viewing on our website in July.

Montana Office of Tourism Grant completed:

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Ninepipes Museum has completed a grant received in 2021 from the Montana Department of Commerce through the Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development. This grant supported our vision to engage online and international visitors with our extensive collection by creating an online catalog, and we now have the foundation ‘bones’ of future marketing in place with the Online Catalog as the connection point for visitors online planning a trip to this region. The project included setting up metrics to collect analytic data and measure website engagement. Implementing these mechanisms allows us to continue to build an online presence to draw visitors to our museum and our valley. The project was the creation of Zen Parry of Trepademics LLC, who along with Collections Coordinator Amy Webster, carried out this ambitious project.

We offer our deep appreciation to The Montana Office of Tourism and Tourism Grant Program Manager Michele Cushman. The Online Catalog can be viewed on our website.

Greater Polson Community Foundation grant completed:

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Thank you to the Greater Polson Community Foundation for helping fund phase I of our video project Making Memories of the Past More Present Today and supporting our vision to create a video library of these humanities-based videos to engage the public. Through digital media, we can increase audience awareness of the importance of knowing our roots as we grow into the future, thereby encouraging active participation in recording history as we live it, which is ultimately, the culmination of all our stories.  Your contribution helps us fulfill our mission to preserve the valley’s history for future generations, and we are deeply grateful.