Art Association Show and Sale set for Nov. 5-6

Members of the Havre Art Association and other area artists have been planning their display areas, selecting their silent auction pieces, baking cookies and are putting the finishing touches on their artwork for the show set for Nov. 5-6.

The Annual Art Association Show and Sale will run at the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church, at 410 Fifth Ave., Saturday, Nov. 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 6, noon to 5 p.m.

The public will be encouraged to vote for the People's Choice Awards from select art pieces in the lobby where the artists' interpretation of this year's theme, "Hi-Line Inspirations," will be on display. Each piece is created as a challenge for the artist in keeping with this year's theme, and the artist's identity is kept a secret until the winners are announced

A silent auction also will be held, with a variety of different pieces each day for the public to bid on.

This show is the one of the largest and most respected fine art shows in the region. Many of the participants have been accepted into juried shows including the Western Heritage Show, the C. M Russell Art Auction, the Montana Watercolor Society Watermedia Show, and other quality shows in and out of state that require jury selection in order to participate.

Creativity in many styles and a variety of work in many styles including pottery, handmade paper, fabric paintings, batik, oil, watercolor, pen and ink, pastel, pencil, wire sculpture, wood carving and bronze sculpture or more may be available for viewing and purchase. Many artists will be working in their display booths and invite attendees to stop by and see how it is done.

All work entered into this show will be newer work. People at the show have the chance to meet each artist in person.

People can stop by, say hello, have a cookie and a cup of coffee.

This is a family event, handicap accessible and admission is free.

The featured artist, Leith Howard DeWeese, was born in Logan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in art education. She continued at the university, completing the graphic design program and later went to work as the staff designer at Pima Community College. While there, she created all manner of printed publications, signage and many award-winning catalog covers. It is also where she met her future husband, Jerry.

During the early years they pursued silversmithing, faceting, channel work and lapidary. Their work was exhibited at the Tucson Gem Mineral Society. Three children later, they moved from Arizona to Utah and then on to Montana. Leith taught secondary art and mathematics. Over her more-than 30-year career, she enriched the curriculum by displaying student art, building play scenery and sets, managing costume construction and designing proms, winning Anderson's National Prom Decorating Contest one year.

Her students have had their work included in the Big Sky Literary & Arts Magazine, the Junior Federal Duck Stamp Competition and Communication Arts Magazine. Under her administration, Opheim School received grants for the Big Read under the Big Sky 2009 and 2010, a project in coordination with the National Endowment of the Arts and the Montana Historical Society.

She was one of the founding members of the Artspot Gallery of Glasgow. Started in 2008, it was the first nonprofit gallery in northeastern Montana. It has championed art education in the Glasgow schools and assisted many local artists to achieve their career goals.

Using watercolor, DeWeese has developed a unique touch. She is currently working on a series called "Faded Dreams & Empty Chairs" commemorating the historical homesteads along the Hi-Line. She has exhibited at the Wild Bunch of Artists in Glasgow and Great Falls, Artspot Gallery, Sunrise Studio & Gallery in Billings, James Memorial Gallery in Williston, Chapel Court Art Gallery in Billings, Art in the Park in Glasgow, Wolf Point and Williston, Rough Rider Fine Art Show in Williston, MonDak Art, and Phoenix Art Director's Graphic Design Show and produced Tuscon Science Fiction Theme Posters.