The Bitter Root Arts Guild will hold its annual holiday show this Friday and Saturday, November 4th and 5th, at the Events Center at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds in Hamilton.
According to Trish Becker, President of BRAG, this is a show you won’t want to miss. Becker said that the 52-year-old guild, with over 85 members, will have plenty of offerings at this show to help you get a jump on your holiday shopping.
“Everything is handmade,” said Becker. “This is an all-member show, and we have members from all of western Montana. This is a juried show and participants have to meet our criteria.”
“I feel we have the best of the best,” said Becker. She said there will be about 70 vendors. Some of the offerings include jewelry, aprons, candles, woodcrafts, jams, chocolates, lavender products, pine needle baskets, puppets, and of course, fine art such as painting and sculpting.
There is no charge for admission. There will be wine tasting with Blodgett Canyon Cellars and food will be provided by Moose Creek BBQ. There will also be a raffle with each participating artist contributing an item. “That supports our BRAG arts fund,” said Becker. “We use the money to give out special awards for art entries during the county fair. We want to support people who are creating art.”
There will be a gift wrapping station run by Darby Skills USA – a student-led organization that works on building job and workplace skills.
“I feel what they do is really important,” said Becker, “and we need to emphasize that.”
Becker said the guild members are really excited to be “getting back into the groove” after Covid. “Our goal is to provide a place for our artists to sell their wares and also to promote the value and importance of art to our community.”
Photos of some of the art that will be for sale can be found on BRAG’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/BitterRootArtsGuild
Show times are Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Becker posts new photos every day so people can get an idea of what will be available.
Becker will be selling her unique reversible aprons at the show, as well as “snow-dyed” shirts and scarves. “I do like to paint,” said Becker, “but the aprons really sell.”
“Our show starts the holiday season out,” said Becker. “This is going to be a really, really festive affair. I’m just passionate about the Arts Guild. It’s so easy to talk about it. There needs to be a place for just artists – this is special because it’s all handmade right here. That’s what makes our group so unique. Nothing but the best of the best.”