Pub. 6 2018 Issue 1

20 The Community Banker www.mibonline.org A native of Montana, Monte Dolack grew up surround- ed by the same sweeping vistas and big sky that inspired Charlie Russell. His love for the diverse landscapes and wildlife of the west are evident in the images he creates and the com- missions he undertakes. After studying art at Montana State University and The Univer- sity of Montana, Monte opened his first studio in 1974, begin- ning his full time career as an artist. Some of his best known earlier works – wild animals occupying human homes – com- prise his Invaders Series which explores the myths of the West and how we view our relation- ship with our environment. Monte’s works are part of the collection of the Library of Con- gress, the American Association of Museums, the National Wild- fire Foundation and numerous other museums and corpora- tions. Exhibitions include Artists of the American West, Bank of Ireland Fine Arts Centre, Dublin, Ireland, and The Kumamoto Pre- fectural Art Museum, Kumamoto, Japan. Monte’s work was cho- sen to be included in The North American Print Biennial, Boston, MA as well as the National Art Museum of Beijing, as part of the 2007 New West Exhibition. In 2011 his work was exhibited at the Palace of Nations at the United Nations, Geneva Swit- zerland. In 2012 he exhibited in London at the Bossanyi Studio, and in 2014 his solo exhibition, Altered State, was shown at the Holter Museum of Art in Helena, Montana. In 2009 he received the distin- guished Fine Arts Alumni award from the University of Montana along with his wife Mary Beth Percival. He was selected at the turn of the century by the Mis- soulian as one of the 100 most influential Montanans of the twentieth century. A love of art, history and the natural world has shaped the content of his imagery. Blending mythology, nature and elements from our modern civilization, his work is often infused with a sense of humor and irony. Monte’s keen interest in environmental issues has lead to commissions for the Nature Conservancy, Defenders of Wild- life and Trout Unlimited; he has created over 200 posters and prints for various organizations. In 2014 he was chosen to create the official national commem- orative poster for the 50th Anniversary of the American Wilderness Act. Monte has traveled exten- sively in the US, Europe, Mexico, New Zealand, Japan, and most recently Central Europe, visiting important cultural sites and museums and making paintings inspired from his travels. In addition to his paintings and many posters he has also created numerous original lithographs. Since 1993 he has managed a flourishing fine art studio/gallery in historic downtown Missoula, Montana. His work is available at Monte Dolack Fine Arts and Dolack. com, as well as at The Frame of Mind Gallery in Missoula. Monte Dolack Fine Art 139 West Front Street, Parkside Mis- soula, Montana 406.549.3248, 800.825.7613, dolack.com , info@dolack.com F or one month each year, five highly competitive friends hit the ground running in a no-holds-barred game of tag that they’ve played since first grade. Risking their necks, jobs and relationships to take each other down with a cry of “Your It” This year, the game coincides with the wedding of their only undefeated player, which should finally make him an easy target. But he knows they're coming and he is more than ready. Based on a true story, “Tag” shows how far some guys will go to be the last man standing. Ten classmates at Gonzaga Preparatory School in Spokane, Washington started the games of tag 23 years ago. Now in their 40s, the former classmates have spread across the country work- ing in various career fields. But they stay in touch during the month of February by chasing each other across the country in their obsessive game of tag. They will jet cross country, break into houses, invade places of work and hide nearby until their target appears. Or targets will leave for imaginary business trips and vacations just to avoid being tagged “It” and wearing that title and badge of shame for a full year. MIB Convention dinner speaker Brian Dennehy is one of those classmates from years ago at prep school. Brian and his years of dodging, weaving, and creatively outsmarting his pursuers is part of the real story TAG is based on. This year Brian is not “IT”. July is not TAG month, so there is no concern or risk dinner will be invaded by one of his classmates! CONVENTION DINNER SPEAKER: MONTE DOLACK CONVENTION KEYNOTE SPEAKER: BRIAN DENNEHY IS NOT "IT"