Masters of the New West: Private Homes and Artist Studios of Montana

September 8–12, 2013

Discover the vibrant art and spectacular scenery of Montana with Meg MacDonald.

Sunday, September 8
Arrive in Helena on the included group flight from Chicago or independently arranged flights. Check into the Best Western Premier Great Northern Hotel. Begin with a private open-air trolley tour of the historic district. Helena was founded in 1864 when four down-on-their-luck prospectors tried one last time in Last Chance Gulch. More than $20 million worth of gold, silver, and lead were found in what is today's main street and surrounding gulches. An afternoon tour will highlight the period architecture of some of the finest old mansions dating from this prosperous era. En route we will visit the home of a private collector, attend a reception, and see the current show at the Turman Larison Contemporary Art Gallery. Return to the Historic District this evening for a welcome dinner at Lucca’s, one of Helena’s top restaurants featuring fine Italian cuisine.

Monday, September 9
This morning take a director-led tour of the Montana Historical Society Museum which highlights one of the country's most important collections of works by Western artist Charles M. Russell, as well as the Poindexter Modern Art Collection. A scion of a Montana ranching family, George Poindexter, and his wife, Elinor, donated their world-class collection of abstract expressionist and modernist art, assembled primarily in New York, to the Montana Historical Society and the Yellowstone Art Museum in Billings over a period of 30 years. Among the artists represented are such luminaries as Willem de Kooning, Franz Kline, Richard Diebenkorn, and Jackson Pollock. Continue to the State Capitol Building to see Russell's magnificent mural, Lewis and Clark Meeting the Flathead Indians. Enjoy lunch at the Montana Club (1893), the oldest private members-only club west of the Mississippi. This afternoon, travel to Marysville, a ghost town where only a few buildings remain from its heyday of 5,000 residents, to visit the studio of Cheri Long, a nationally recognized potter. Then continue to a nearby private ranch with an eclectic art collection, which includes etchings, Native American artifacts, Japanese historic paintings, ceramics, and works by contemporary Montana artists. Enjoy dinner at the ranch with our hosts.

Tuesday, September 10
Depart early by coach for Bozeman, an energetic university town tucked up against the high-walled Bridger Mountains. Enjoy a private tour of the Emerson Center for the Arts and Culture, which features works by contemporary artists. Enjoy lunch at the historic Baxter Hotel (1929). The balance of the day will be devoted to visiting artist’s studios, among them the studios of internationally known artist Deborah Butterfield and her husband, John Buck, renowned for his woodcut prints and carved wooden sculptures; Josh DeWeese and Rosie Wynkoop, outstanding contemporary ceramic artists; and Willem Volkhersz, a renowned neon artist. En route to Helena, we will have dinner at the charming Willow Creek Café & Saloon, which locals argue has the best barbecue ribs west of the Mississippi.

Wednesday, September 11
Begin this morning with a tour of the Archie Bray Foundation with director Steve Lee, where cutting-edge ceramics are produced by artists in residence from around the world. After lunch in the foundation’s garden, depart for an afternoon of artist's studio visits. Stop in at the area’s most significant studios including those of Richard and Penny Swanson, who produce ceramics and large abstract metal sculptures, abstract printmaker Phoebe Toland, and political activist and sculptor Richard Notkin. Also visit the studios of Robert Harrison, known for his large-scale architectural sculpture and ceramics, and Sara Jaegar, whose work focuses on beautiful yet functional pieces meant to be appreciated through use. Tonight we will enjoy an after-hours tour and farewell dinner at the Holter Museum of Art, considered to be one of the best contemporary art museums in the Northwest. Our tour will include two special exhibitions: contemporary Japanese woodblock prints and an installation by Phoebe Toland. A specially arranged director-led tour of the vault will highlight treasures from the permanent collection.

Thursday, September 12
This morning, visit A. L. Swanson Gallery, which shows contemporary work and wood work by local artists, and also the studio of Montana landscape painter Dale Livezey. Enjoy lunch at the Fusion Grille, before transferring to the Helena Airport for flights home.

Terms and Conditions

Cost: $2,695 per person based on double occupancy; single supplement, add $325. Full payment is due at time of reservation and indicates acceptance of all group arrangements. Cost includes: Round-trip airfare from Chicago O’Hare to Helena in coach class on group-designated flights. For those on flights other than group flights, deduct $600 from the tour price. Four nights’ accommodations at the Best Western Premier Great Northern Hotel; breakfast daily at the hotel, four lunches, four dinners, and one reception; all activities described in the itinerary; transportation by private motor coach; airport transfers in Helena for those on designated group transfers; all taxes, gratuities, fees, and porterage; services of Meg MacDonald as tour manager and local docents and guides. NOT INCLUDED: Airport transfers on non-group-designated flights; meals or beverages not specifically mentioned as included; items of a personal nature.

Upon registration, each participant will be provided with an Art Institute of Chicago Waiver and Release form that must be signed and returned to the Member Travel department prior to program departure.

Cancellation Policy

The Art Institute of Chicago (“AIC”) and Meg MacDonald/Travel Muse (“Tour Operator”) reserve the right to withdraw the tour or any part if it and to make such alterations in the itinerary as to it (or them) seems necessary and desirable. In the event of the cancellation of the Tour prior to departure, a full refund will constitute full settlement between all parties. No refund shall be due from AIC in conjunction with changes in rates or itineraries or substitution of suppliers. No refund will be made for any unused portion of the tour. AIC and/or Tour Operator reserve the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour if AIC, Tour Operator, or both determine that the participation of that individual is objectionable and, in the event such authority is exercised, the participant waives any right and all claims for damages. Baggage and personal effects are the sole responsibility of owners at all times. Cancellation notification must be in writing. Participants may cancel on or before July 26, 2013, with a cancellation fee of $100 plus any nonrefundable costs and cancellation fees incurred by hotels and other venues at the time of cancellation. After July 26, 2013, there will be no refund, unless canceled space can be filled from an existing waitlist. Trip cancellation insurance is highly recommended; an application will be sent with reservation confirmation.

To register, call (312) 443-3115.