Montana Trade Trip to Ireland Generates Helena Art Exhibit

Helena will be treated to an influx of Irish art March 14-April 20, courtesy of the Montana World Trade Center (MWTC) at The University of Montana-Missoula.

The exhibit, "14 Artists 1 Place," will be held at Helena’s Holter Museum of Art, located at 12 E. Lawrence. It will feature contemporary art from Limerick City, Ireland. An opening reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 21.

In addition, Irish master printmaker Tim Humphries will be an artist-in-residence at the Helena gallery March 31-April 11. He will conduct a workshop that teaches his technique for combining monotype with drypoint in printmaking. For more details or to register, call the Holter museum at (406) 442-6400 ext. 108. An artist reception and gallery talk featuring Humphries also will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 1.

The UM-based MWTC helps Montana businesses establish and strengthen their international commercial capabilities. The Helena exhibit resulted from trade center efforts to create business connections between Montana and Ireland.

"The MWTC has been instrumental in facilitating this cultural exchange for the Holter Museum," said Liz Gans, the museum’s interim executive director. She said the museum received funding for the Irish exhibit and visiting artist from the National Endowment for the Arts, the MetLife Foundation and Holter Museum members.

Arnie Sherman, MWTC executive director, said, "This exhibit and visit from Mr. Humphries are part of a larger endeavor we have undertaken to get Western- or Rocky Mountain-themed products into Ireland. Our efforts have been extremely well-received, and we believe Ireland represents tremendous potential."

He said MWTC arranged for a group of Montana artists to exhibit their works at the Bank of Ireland in Dublin starting July 1. UM President George Dennison will attend the opening. In addition, another Montana art exhibit has been planned for November in Limerick. For more information, contact Geoff Sutton at (406) 243-6982 or [email protected].

Sherman said MWTC is organizing a trade mission to Ireland and the United Kingdom that will coincide with the exhibit opening. The exact dates of the trade mission aren’t set, but it will feature large and small businesses. Montana businesspeople interested in participating should contact Fraser McLeay at (406) 243-6621 or [email protected].

These activities are part of a larger effort to test market products in Ireland. The initiative is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce Market Development Cooperator Program, which focuses on the home furnishings, art, outdoor, sports and specialty food sectors.

For more information on MWTC and its efforts to foster trade with Ireland, call (406) 243-6982 or visit http://www.rockymountainmarket.com.

Contact: Geoff Sutton, Montana World Trade Center, (406) 243-6982, [email protected].

http://www.umt.edu/urelations/releases/default.asp?section=MWTCirl