This week at the Emerson

THIS WEEK AT THE EMERSON

BEAST OF BOZEMAN

The must-see show of the year!

NEXT WEEK, 13 amazing acts perform for their chance to be crowned the Beast of Bozeman and take home the $1,000 grand prize!

Join us on Saturday, March 7 to enjoy local performers, support the arts, and partake in a thrilling showcase you won't want to miss. Your vote decides the winner, so come help us crown the 2026 Beast of Bozeman!

2026 Acts:

*Family Friendly

Saturday, March 7

Doors Open at 6pm

Show begins at 7pm

Emerson's Crawford Theater

BEAST TICKETS

EXHIBITS OPENING FRIDAY

THE MOUNTAIN CLOWN AND OTHER FOUL ANIMALS

John Henry Haseltine

John Henry Haseltine's The Mountain Clown and Other Foul Animals

Jessie Wilber Gallery

Opening reception Friday, February 27 6:00-8:30pm

Performance at 7:30 (get a free ticket HERE)

The Mountain Clown and Other Foul Animals is an irreverent jab at our cultural mythologies, specifically our Western and Pioneering narratives. Utilizing toys, puppets, performance and comics in addition to painting, Haseltine explores how both self-produced folk art and kitsch mass production equally contribute to the legacy of western mythology. He’s interested in the parallels between historical western expansion and contemporary gentrification in the region, as well as the ways stories can be manipulated to represent local and personal identities.

Haseltine is a self-taught painter primarily inspired by American primitive painting and regional folk art, as well as mid-century kitsch and punk adjacent art from the 70s and 80s.

His first book, Westward & Miserable, a collection of paintings and stories gathered from his past gallery shows, was published by Elk River Books in September 2024. The Mountain Clown & Other Foul Animals, his first solo museum exhibition, opened in October 2024 at the Yellowstone Art Museum in Billings.

This exhibit is in partnership with the Montana Art Gallery Directors Association (MAGDA) and Danforth Art Museum

PLUS! Get your tickets (free) for the one-man performance of The Phantom Chuckwagon Friday night at 7:30pm

The Phantom Chuckwagon is a folk art storytelling hour written and performed by John Henry Haseltine complete with puppets, ghosts, talking trees, gourmet trail food, and the legend of an exceptionally talented orangutan.

PHANTOM TICKETS

CALDERA

Christopher Campbell

Christopher Campbell's Caldera

Lobby & Weaver Room Galleries

Opening reception Friday, February 27 6:00-8:30pm

My method is slow, but once moving through the land I work assuredly and intuitively, I find there is little equivocation over what to photograph. I question little when moved to expose a sheet of film. The questions come after. I believe there are always far more questions than answers. The heavy lifting, after I put a photograph out into the world, is up to the viewer. If I have done my job the weight should be manageable in its own way by anyone willing or able to take the time.

Most of my photography these days utilize a 4x5 view film camera. I develop the film in my dark room and then scan the resulting negatives into my computer creating digital files. I will then make subtle adjustments of light value similar to what I might do in the dark room, utilzing Photoshop and Lightroom. I then make 5x7 inch inkjet prints which I can use to evaluate and plan my film prints. Once I have decided what I want to make a silver gelatin print of, I return to the darkroom with the original negative and fully process that into a final archival silver gelatin print. A final note of clarification: the creation of a silver gelatin print does not utilize digital technology at all. All adjustments affecting elements of value, tonality and contrast are made manually in the darkroom.

IN GOOD COMPANY

MSU Student exhibition

In Good Company is a student exhibition featuring work by Montana State University artists, hosted at the Emerson. The show brings together a wide range of artistic voices working across diverse media and approaches. It highlights students at different stages of their practice, creating a space where experimentation, process, and polish coexist. Painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and hybrid forms are presented side by side, emphasizing conversation rather than hierarchy. In Good Company celebrates being in dialogue, with peers, materials, and ideas, while capturing a collective moment within the MSU art community.

Artists:

Opening reception Friday, February 27 6:00-8:30pm

WINTER SESSION 2

Beginning

It's not too late to register for these classes:

Mondays/Wednesdays

Metalsmithing I : 2 days/ week for 3 weeks with Sally O'Neill
6-8pm beginning March 2
Metalsmithing II: 2 days/ week for 3 weeks with Sally O'Neill
6-8pm beginning March 23

Thursdays

Graphite Figure Drawing- Intro/Int. with Martijn Swart
6pm-8pm
Wheel Pottery- Intro/Int. with Chris Bieniek
6pm-8:30pm

Fridays

Linocut Printmaking I with Samantha Hinckley
3-5pm
Linocut Printmaking II with Samantha Hinckley
6-8pm

Saturdays

Wheel Pottery- Intro/Int. with Lauren Woods
9:30am-12pm

CLASS REGISTRATION

BIG SKY SKI PATROL FUNDRAISER

The annual Big Sky Ski Patrol Fundraiser promises to be an evening filled with fun, community spirit, and meaningful impact. Enjoy a concert from Abby Webster and her Imaginary Band with raffle prizes from our generous sponsors.

Community support is the cornerstone of our success, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to come together this year. By attending or contributing to Big Sky Ski Patrol, you’re supporting our mission to keep our mountains safe and our community strong. Proceeds support avalanche dogs, patrol exchanges, professional education and our benevolence fund for patrollers in need.

Event Highlights:

Live Music: Enjoy a performance by the local band, Abby Webster and her Imaginary Band
Raffles: Buy raffle tickets for a chance to win prizes generously donated by local businesses and supporters.
Community Celebration: Gather with friends, family, and fellow outdoor enthusiasts to support a great cause.

Saturday, February 28

Doors at 6:00pm

Event begins at 6:30pm

Emerson Ballroom

$15 General Admission

TICKETS

SUMMER ART CAMP

Emerson Art Camps run weekly from June-August, Monday-Friday 9am-3pm. This full-day camp encourages creative exploration and learning while playing outside and meeting new friends! We welcome children ages 5-12.

Sessions are filling quickly!

This year's all new and amazing themes:

June 15-19 The Art Apprentice
~~(ages 5-8)~~ FULL
(ages 9-12)
June 22-26: The Art Apprentice
(ages 5-8)
(ages 9-12)
July 6-10: Sculptor's Studio
~~(ages 5-8)~~ FULL
(ages 9-12)
July 13-17: Sculptor's Studio
~~(ages 5-8)~~ FULL
(ages 9-12)
July 20-24: Art & Architecture
~~(ages 5-8)~~ FULL
(ages 9-12)
July 27-31: Art & Architecture
~~(ages 5-8)~~ FULL
(ages 9-12)
August 3-7: Plates & Prints
(ages 5-8)
(ages 9-12)
August 10-14: Plates & Prints
~~(ages 5-8)~~ FULL
(ages 9-12)

SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION

NEW TO YOU ART SALE

DONATIONS

Donate your original art to our New to You Art Sale!

Our third annual New to You Art Sale will take place on April 30 and May 1! Mark your calendars for this super-fun treasure hunt, plus, art donors receive early-bird access to the sale.

This is a wonderful time to clean out your spaces and pass along original artworks that you no longer display! Donations (paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography, ceramics, etc) may be dropped off at the Emerson, across from the Jessie Wilber Gallery, Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm. No mass-produced art, please.

Email outreach@theEmerson.org with any questions or to sign up to volunteer!

YOUTH SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The Emerson is looking for high school-aged students who would like to build their leadership skills by assisting our lead teachers during Summer Art Camps!

Must be 14-18 years of age

Responsibilities include:

Encourage children’s comprehension of multiple art mediums
Engage with children during breaks & lunch
Assist with project prep & clean up
Aid children and instructors in following health safety protocols
Have fun and be a positive role model

Interns receive cash scholarships for participating in our Youth Internship Program.

APPLICATION

GALLERY AND STUDIO SPACE AVAILABLE

If you're an artist or creative business owner, we welcome you to apply for a space in the Emerson. Fill out an inquiry form and let us help you find the perfect fit!

To walk through our available studios, swing by the Emerson during business hours Monday through Friday 9am-5pm, or fill out the inquiry form below.

TENANT INQUIRY

Gift Cards! These digital cards are perfect for giving the gift of inspiration & creativity. You input the desired amount and send it to the recipient to redeem. There is no expiration and they can be used for art classes, workshops, or summer camps!

GIFT CARD PURCHASE

Thank you for supporting the Emerson and our mission to build community through art and culture!

DONATE TODAY

www.theEmerson.org

(406) 587-9797 | office@theEmerson.org

111 S Grand Ave, Bozeman, MT 59715