LIVINGSTON – Livingston has a rich and complex history as part of an expansive art community. For nearly 35 years, the town has hosted the Livingston Art Walk, giving local artists the opportunity to showcase their talents.
“It’s a big part of the story of shifting from a primarily railroad town to what it is now. At one point, the state recognized it as a creative cluster; they even studied it because of that,” says Laura Bray, the owner of Frame Garden in Livingston.
Bray’s business is one of the venues hosting local artists and their creations for the art walk. She invited emerging artist Allie Louise to display her first solo series, “Under a Western Sky,” featuring Montana-inspired animals and landscapes.
“I actually went to school for pre-med, but when COVID happened, I started dabbling in art again,” says Louise.
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While pursuing her degree, Louise realized her desire for more creativity in her life.
Bray mentioned that Allie Louise is one of the few artists she’s seen creating hyper-realistic images using pastels.
“One thing about pastels that has intrigued me is the ability to achieve a photo-realistic style with them, something not commonly done with pastels,” says Louise.
Downtown Tourism Director Kris King believes that the arts allow people to express their interpretations of the landscape around them.
“The power of the arts lies in telling the contemporary story of people living here now, experiencing what they are. This narrative forms the foundation of the area’s history,” she explains.
To all aspiring artists, Allie advises: “Just take the leap of faith. It may sound cliché, but it’s true. I wouldn’t be here with this show if I hadn’t taken that step in the first place.”
The Livingston art walk will commence on Friday, July 26, 2024. Visit the website for more information.
