The Arts Council of Big Sky will once again be hosting its Annual Auction for the Arts on Thursday, February 22, in the Grand Ballroom at the Montage Hotel in Big Sky. The event—now in its 12th year—includes a fixed price lottery sale, live and silent auctions, a quick-finish with selected artists, food, drinks and live music.

Tickets will go on sale on Friday, December 8, at 9 a.m., online at bigskyarts.org/auction. The Arts Council will also be hosting a soft opening for the Luck of the Draw - Auction Preview Exhibition, featuring selected artworks for the auction’s Luck of the Draw component, at the BASE Gallery on Friday evening from 5-8 p.m. as part of the Christmas Stroll weekend. The Luck of the Draw sale is a new addition to the fundraising gala that showcases artwork by elite artists at a fixed price. Committed bidders can submit an intent to purchase form to enter an auction-night drawing for the opportunity to purchase artwork. Featured artists include Clyde Aspevig, Stephanie Revennaugh, Josh DeWeese, Ralph Oberg, Ben Miller, Marianne Kemp and more.

This annual fundraiser for one of Big Sky’s longest running non-profits has become one of the region’s most anticipated events of the year, and features some of the best local, regional and national artists. It’s a great way to support the Arts Council’s mission of enriching the community through artistic experiences, as well as supporting working artists. Proceeds raised from artworks sales help fund the organization’s education programs, including its pioneering Contribute-What-You-Can art class fee structure, providing accessible and affordable options for participants of all ages. The Arts Council debuted a brand-new classroom in March of 2022, which includes pottery wheels, two kilns and space for a variety of art classes.

“The new arts classroom has been a tremendous success since it opened, boasting more than 1,000 participants so far” said Arts Council Executive Director Brian Hurlbut. “It’s a true asset to the community and has allowed a wide variety of aspiring artists to take classes.”

Hurlbut noted that 40 percent of the art class participants have taken advantage of the lower fees in the Contribute-What-You-Can program. In addition, a third of the art class registrants have donated more to allow others to afford to participate.

“Raising additional funds for this program will allow it to continue,” said Hurlbut. “Our goal is to provide access to the arts for everyone, and this program is the best example of that.”

The event also includes a weeklong preview of auction items with an opening reception slated for February 16. For more information please visit bigskyarts.org/auction.

Program includes student workshops and free public performance

Each year the Arts Council of Big Sky brings a culturally rich artist to Big Sky for a multi-day residence in collaboration with the Big Sky School District. During their time at school, the artist works with a partner teacher to deliver two days of workshops that aim to help students build a deeper, authentic understanding of diverse cultures through the arts. 

This year’s Artist in Residence is World Champion Hoop Dancer Jasmine Pickner Bell, or Cunku Was’te Win’, meaning “Good Road Woman,” in Dakota. A member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe (also known as Hunkpati Oyate), Jasmine is the first woman to hold the hoop dancing Champion title. Jasmine realized her calling when tragedy struck and her brother, also a talented hoop dancer, was killed in a car accident. In honor of his life, she trained and performed in his place at the World Championship Hoop Dance Competition. She won, becoming the first woman to hold the title and compete in a dress (up until that point, many female hoop dancers still performed in traditional male attire). The following year she defended her title. And now she is proud to say, more women have entered the field and wear their traditional dress, not men’s attire. 

The hoop dance has been described as the renewal of the collective human spirit. It is a dance of healing, connectedness, and prayer. Even though Jasmine is in constant spinning motion while she dances, she never finds herself dizzy because she is aligned with a higher purpose. As she’s passing each hoop through her body, she says, “Your prayers are being connected and lifted up. You’re not only telling a story through the designs of the hoop dance, but you’re also praying and healing the people who are in need at that time.”

For the school workshops, Jasmine will be collaborating with 9th and 10th graders in Kate Riley and Jeremy Harder’s classes. Education is central to her mission. From teaching kids and ensuring native traditions are not lost in today’s society, to bringing her audience on stage with her after her performances, she loves to share the hoop dance with everyone. As Jasmine says, “When you get done hoop dancing with me, you’re going to feel better. You’re going to go home and have a story to tell. You’re going to be able to share that story with your friends and family.”

In addition to the educational workshops there will be an in-school performance and a free, public performance at the Warren Miller Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, December 6, at 7:30 p.m. Please join us in celebrating this inspirational and important artform. 

The Arts Council of Big Sky is proud to present the 26th annual Madrigal Dinner, slated for Monday, Dec. 4, at 5 p.m. in the Missouri Ballroom at Big Sky Resort. This event is considered by many as the traditional opening of the holiday season and is one of the highlights for the Big Sky community. The event is a joint production between the Arts Council and the Montana State University School of Music.

Tickets for the Madrigal Dinner can be purchased in advance for $80 per person, which includes a fantastic three-course dinner prepared by the chefs at Big Sky Resort, as well as festive music from the Montanans, the MSU Brass Quintet and Voices Luminis (ssaa). Please visit click here, to purchase tickets online. The event is usually sold out so tickets are by advanced online reservation only.

“The Madrigal dinner has become a Big Sky tradition since we started it more than 25 years ago,” said Arts Council Executive Director Brian Hurlbut. “We’re excited for a new venue this year, but of course all of the popular aspects of the event will remain.”

The evening begins with a no-host bar at 5 p.m., followed by seating for the dinner promptly at 6 p.m., in preparation for the Ceremonial Procession of the Lord and Lady of the Manor and their guests. Olde English customs are the theme throughout the evening, including fanfares introducing the Ceremonial Procession, the Wassail Bowl and Christmas Toast, the Boar’s Head Procession and the Flaming Pudding Dessert. The Montanans serenade guests throughout the evening and are joined by Voces Luminis (ssaa) for the concert finale. The dinner closes with the audience joining the musicians in singing familiar carols. This year marks the 59th annual Madrigal Dinner, produced by the MSU School of Music, and the 26th year the production has traveled to Big Sky.

The Arts Council of Big Sky is a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing cultural and artistic performances to the Big Sky Area. For more information call 995-2742 or visit www.bigskyarts.org.