Dozen area artists share work, process in annual studio tour

A dozen professional artists showcased their work and creative processes last weekend during the annual Artists of Polson Studio Tour.

The free self-guided event spanned studios from Charlo and Ronan north to Finley Point and King’s Point, with many stops in-between, and included disciplines ranging from paintings, mosaics and stained glass to leather, handcrafted furniture and ceramics.

This year’s participating artists were:

• Vickie Edwards, Charlo, who retired after a career in the corporate world and now creates layered expressionistic works that combine wax and oil paint in a process “of love and experimentation.”

• Judy Wright, Ronan, who infuses her works with intense color and depth, whether she’s working in glass, mixed media or acrylics.

• Sue Arneson, Polson, a signature member of the Montana Watercolor Society, who says her paintings are inspired by her upbringing in rural North Dakota and Flathead Lake.

• Patsi Pohle, Polson, who uses a palette knife to give her lush landscape paintings a fresh, contemporary edge. Pohle also coordinated this year’s tour.

• Lance Marshall Boen, Polson, who creates unique sculptures, often larger than life, that push the boundaries of what leather can do, incorporating dyes and acrylic paints.

• Carole Carberry, Polson, who primarily works in watercolor and acrylic, and says she has a particular interest in long-necked birds.

• Don Carberry, Polson, is a retired fighter pilot who creates stained-glass art using a copper-foil technique to bring additional detail to his work.

• Jerry Van Vleet, Polson, who says his heirloom handcrafted furniture is informed by his own adventures and the stories people share with him.

• Sheila Williams, Polson, is the co-owner of Glacier Pottery and forms many of her pieces with clay slabs, enhanced by pattern, texture and color combinations.

• Jed Williams, Polson, is the other half of Glacier Pottery. He specializes in wheel-thrown ceramics, and says, “I enjoy making round things.” He has a degree in electronics and is a trained kiln technician.

• Kathleen Collins, Kings Point, is a retired microbiologist and science educator who has transformed her “love and delight in the world around me” into fiber and multi-media creations.

• Mimi Werner, Finley Point, has worked as a ceramic artist for nearly 50 years, many of those as a potter. More recently, she’s turned her focus to sculpture, creating works inspired by “the earth itself” – the potent alchemy of wind, water, fire and atmosphere inherent in ceramic art.

The tour is always the fourth weekend in August. Visit www.artistsofpolson.com.

Dozen area artists share work, process in annual studio tour

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