Results, paintings from second Paint Under the Big Sky art festival  

EBS STAFF 

This story was updated on 7/12 to add comments from Maggie Shane.

In June, artists from near and far took paint, brush and canvas into the Gallatin Canyon to paint landscapes “en plein air.”

For the second annual Paint Under the Big Sky art festival, painters captured views between Spanish Creek and Taylor Fork for both competition and artistic documentation of the area, including Big Sky. 

On July 9, the Big Sky Artists’ Collective announced winners from the contest, sharing some of the award-winning paintings of scenes along the Gallatin River including Taylor Fork, Deer Creek and Lone Mountain.  

On June 29, jurors and local art collectors Robert and Dianna Pettis selected prize winners at a gallery launch. Cash prizes were provided by Lone Mountain Land Company, according to a press release from the Artists’ Collective, which added that the event was sponsored by the Big Sky Resort Area District, which granted $10,000 from its opportunity fund. 

Pam Cuipa won the grand prize for “Lone Mountain Melody.” 

Andy White’s “Life Going By” and Blake Luther’s “Gallatin Watchman” took second and third place, respectively.  

Artists’ Choice was awarded to Maggie Muldoon for “The River from Green Bridge.” 

People’s Choice was awarded to Char Quist for “Afternoon on the Nine Quarter Circle.” 

Honorable mention was awarded to Joan Mason for “Conoco Parking Lot,” “Taylor Fork Sage Meadow” and “Ousel Falls Trailhead.”

Other honorable mention went to Blake Luther for “Southfork Overlook” and to Kitty Harvill for “Afternoon Light at Deer Creek.”  

A gallery of PUBS paintings will remain on display for sale in the Big Sky Artists’ Studio and Gallery through July 31.  

“Although this was just our second year of PUBS, we had an awesome and successful event,” Maggie Shane, director of the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery, stated in an email to EBS. “Most all of the artists plan on coming back next year, and our gallery is full of great plein air art. Our challenge as we move forward is to involve more of the community and garner more financial support from local sources.  Even though Big Sky Artists Collective is a small nonprofit with limited resources, we packed a big impact in Big Sky by dollars spent by artists and families. Our hope is to continue to grow Paint Under the Big Sky!”