INTERNATIONAL SCULPTURE PARK CELEBRATING THE RICH CULTURAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND INDUSTRIAL HERITAGE OF THE BLACKFOOT VALLEY
Blackfoot Pathways: Sculpture in the Wild began as an international sculpture symposium in 2014 when five international artists created works of art over a three-week period. The project was initiated by sculptor/curator Kevin O'Dwyer and bladesmith Rick Dunkerley, who worked in collaboration with the Lincoln, Montana community. Six site specific sculptures were created during the symposium and they form the nucleus of the sculpture park. The intervention of the symposium artists added another layer of engagement for visitors to the area, by combining visual and conceptual interpretations of the geography, landscape, people and industrial history of the logging and mining industry in the Blackfoot Valley.
The success of the international sculpture symposium led to the formation of Blackfoot Pathways: Sculpture in the Wild, a 26 acre sculpture park. Artistic Director and curator Kevin O'Dwyer continued to invite artists to create significant site-specific works of art during the artist-in-residency programme each year until 2023. Over 25 works of art including sculpture, video and music composition were commissioned during this period.
Mission Statement:
Provide an environment for the creation of significant artworks, both permanent and temporary, inspired by the environmental and industrial heritage of the Blackfoot Valley while fostering an awareness and appreciation of the arts through community participation and education.
Goals and Objectives:
Celebrate the rich environmental and cultural heritage of the Blackfoot Valley through contemporary art practice.
Provide the framework for the development of a vibrant artist community thus improving the quality of life in rural Montana.
Provide community engagement and learning opportunities through hands-on participation and education.
Establish a learning and resource center that brings creativity, cultural tourism and economic vibrancy into the community.
Create a community identity and a “sense of place”.
Long Term Vision:
The long term vision will promote an “all inclusive” arts program that will provide opportunities for the diverse arts practices found within the greater arts community.
The initial residency program will concentrate on site-specific sculpture installations and broaden its remit to include commissioning video artists, composers, choreographers, writers and performance artists to interpret and document this unique landscape, history and industrial heritage.
Artists 2014-2023
Alan Counihan (Ireland)
Steven Siegel (USA)
Jorn Ronnau (Denmark)
Jaakko Perno (Finland)
Kevin O'Dwyer (Ireland)
Brandon Ballengee (USA)
Noellynn Pepos (USA)
Chris Drury (UK)
Tyler Nansen (USA)
Casey Schachner (USA)
Starrett Artists (USA)
Cornelia Konrads (Germany)
Adele O'Dwyer (Ireland)
Kate Hunt (USA)
Anne Yoncha (USA)
Patrick Dougherty (USA)
Lisa and Jaime Johnson (USA)
Alison Stigora (USA)
Stuart Ian Frost (Norway)
Beth Korth (USA)
Michael Brolly (USA)
Bently Spang (USA)
Phil Aaberg (USA)
Awards
Montana Heritage and Cultural Tourism Award 2017
Lewis and Clarke Historic Preservation Award 2019
Governor's Arts Award 2020
Art and Environment
Arts and culture have always been a part of important movements for change, and environmental sustainability is no exception. Increasing numbers of artists and arts organizations are engaging with environmental issues, and a growing number of arts funders are thinking about and seeing this kind of work as both artistically valid and socially relevant.
According to recent study carried out by Helicon Collaborative:
“Environmental funders believe that there is a powerful, and under realized, role for art and culture to advance environmental goals in ways that other methods cannot, and are developing intentional strategies to further work at this intersection. This work is supported by growing evidence that art and artists play unique roles in movements and efforts for change by bringing awareness to issues in emotionally compelling ways, influencing people’s opinions and behaviors, bringing innovative perspectives to complex challenges, and helping to galvanize people around a shared vision.
A growing number of environmental activists and environmental funders are also recognizing the role of art and artists in effecting change. They are realizing that a more sustainable future requires not only new technologies and policies but also a shift in underlying values and social norms. Art and artists can help catalyze these shifts because they appeal to people on the levels of emotions and meaning, helping to create new narratives and to move people to action.”
Taken together, this suggests that there are expanding possibilities for work at the intersection of art and environmental sustainability.
BLACKFOOT PATHWAYS: SCULPTURE IN THE WILD
Blackfoot Pathways: Sculpture in the Wild (BPSW) provides a neutral ground for discussions about a new approach to environmental stewardship and the creation of a new economic future for the community. BPSW is delivering in ways that are tangible and palpable for the community on a vision for the future that is more sustainable ecologically and economically for Lincoln.
Celebrates the past, including its industrial heritage- timber and mining. The celebration of the past helps open doors to a discussion about the future.
The discussion provides opportunities for the conversation to shift from the traditional dynamic of conservationists versus industrialists and allows space for open discussions about what is best for the future of our landscape, our community and our children.
The discussion is hugely beneficial for conservation efforts because it helps define that a common ground is possible.
BPSW is a tangible representation that new economic initiatives can deliver dollars to local businesses- it doesn’t just have to be about mining and timber. Other avenues are possible and they can deliver sustainable use of the landscape and income into the community.
BPSW are getting children excited about art and the natural landscape and that helps bring along parents who are currently in decision-making positions about the community, economy and environment.
BPSW allows for a narrative: This landscape is special! Look at the art it inspires! People from across the globe are coming here to be inspired by this landscape - our natural beauty, the wildlife. These are assets to our community not just in themselves but they are economic assets too because people will come here to experience them and spend dollars in our community.
Montana Line Drawing (2014)
Kevin O'Dwyer
Sculpture in the Parklands
2002-2010
Learning Experiences Ireland © 2013