Last Week at Rotary
Last week we were introduced to Sarah Justice, the new Executive Director of Paris Gibson Square. Sarah moved to Montana several years ago to pursue the highly regarded Masters of Fine Arts program at the University of Montana. After completing her M.F.A, she accepted the position of Education Director at the Square and served in that capacity for 2½ years before being named Executive Director.
The mission of Paris Gibson Square is to bring the arts and cultural opportunities to northcentral Montana with the goals of fostering understanding and appreciation of modern art and providing a venue for regional artists, including self-taught artists. The Square has 800 pieces in its own collection but also shows the work of artists from across the Northwest.
Justice has made several personnel changes during her time as Executive Director. She has a new curator in Nicole Evans. Matt Bronson, who started at the front desk 16 years ago, is now Operations Manager. William Harning, a potter, is the new Education Director and Frankie Stockman manages the gift shop. The Square opens its doors – free! – to over 30,000 visitors annually, including every 3rd-grader in the Great Falls schools.
As a non-profit, they depend largely on charitable donations. A membership is $35 annually. A number of community events also sustain them. Sarah was particularly enthusiastic about two events coming up soon. One is actually culminating this evening (Saturday, August 29) – an online auction. Visit the Paris Gibson Square website at https://www.the-square.org/art-auction-2020 and make a bid!
Arts on Fire is also coming up, but in a COVID-conscious format this year. The Square will offer drive-through “Take ‘n Make” kits for family projects in the arts and encourages you to drive across the street and participate in entertainment in a format much like the old drive-in movies but featuring storytellers, dancing, and a drum circle.
Lots going on at the Square! An excellent presentation by a charismatic new community leader!
