Ebb and flow in Big Sky: Gallatin River Gallery closes after 25 years as a thriving community business

By Leslie Kilgore EBS CONTRIBUTOR

Julie Gustafson opened the Gallatin River Gallery in Big Sky in 1999. Her first reception was on the winter solstice; only a few people came. But an interesting woman named Buzzy Vick attended that night, a cowboy poet, and she and Gustafson connected over their love for the West. It was then Gustafson knew this was what she was meant to do.

“I remember thinking, this is new territory for me, this will be fun,” Gustafson said. “I didn’t even own a car and I used to hike from the meadow down to the canyon through the woods, with my gallery clothes in a backpack. I put a secret log across the river to get across and trekked on down through the woods to get to my first gallery location in the canyon. I was determined to make it!”

Fast forward to present-day Big Sky, and Gustafson not only made it with her gallery, but she has also been a celebrated community member and contributor to the growing art scene in the area for more than two decades. Gustafson first came to Big Sky more than 30 years ago for a friend’s wedding and then kept returning. She moved here full time 18 years ago.

“I’ve been involved in the art world for 40 years, and after I got a degree in geology from Colorado University, I totally switched gears and went to California College of Arts, and then worked in high end galleries in Napa, San Francisco and Mill Valley, participated in art fairs in Chicago, New York, Florida and San Francisco, and got really good training from the best,” Gustafson said. 

“The Fuller Goldeen Gallery in San Francisco, where I was the archivist, showed Deborah Butterfield in the mid-eighties and that was really thrilling to be a part of,” Gustafson continued.So then, I plunged into opening my own gallery here, to try something different. I lived in the Bay Area for many years and wanted to be immersed in nature more, and I love to ski.”

“Inspired from nature” was the theme when Gustafson first began describing the gallery. She chose to call it the Gallatin River Gallery because she thought that resonated since the Gallatin River was such an integral part of the community and continues to be now. The gallery moved through four different locations throughout its years, in the Canyon, the Meadow, above the former Lone Peak Brewery, and now in Town Center.

Recently, Gustafson decided to close the gallery after being in her current location in Town Center for 12 years. She will close the doors for the last time and begin a new chapter for herself in Big Sky on Aug. 31, with many fond memories of the past four decades.

“Quite honestly, I will not miss the current speeding huge construction trucks down Ousel Falls Road, and I won’t miss haggling about discounts on art purchases,” Gustafson said. “I will miss dearly the relationships with artists, being surrounded by amazing one-of-a-kind art and looking up at the mountains and alpine glow sunsets while listening to Pandora music.”

Gustafson shared that along with selling her own art, the many enduring friendships with artists, employees and clients were highlights of owning the gallery, particularly showing the work of renowned Montana painter, Russell Chatham and his original oil paintings in the last years of his life.

“He was a riot, his personality so different from his quiet ethereal landscapes,” Gustafson said. “We would meet up at the McDonalds in Bozeman and trade-off really expensive paintings, which was kind of hilarious.”

Gustafson added that what stands out the most for her as she closes the gallery doors for good were her first employees, local artists, Diana Tremaine and Jill Zeidler, who have gone on to have incredible careers.

“They were enthusiastic when I was sometimes having doubts and I have to give them huge credit for their support and enduring friendships,” Gustafson said.

As she shared other anecdotes of years past in Big Sky, Gustafson added that the Arts Council of Big Sky has been integral in evolving the arts within the community, particularly the public art displays, educational classes, artist residencies and field trips.

“I hope that continues to grow, and that local artists and small businesses are supported here,” she said. “I would have to say my longevity speaks for the appreciation of the arts in Big Sky, and I hope it continues to thrive.”

While Gustafson is sentimental about closing the gallery, she also looks forward to what’s next for her within the community of Big Sky and beyond.

“I’m just so grateful to be a part of the community and for the great journey,” she said. “I look forward to doing my own art, singing, dancing, skiing, traveling and all that life has to offer. Life is change, so I am excited.”