Missoula's Art Offerings
Another homeschooling mom and I planned a trip to Lincoln, MT’s outdoor art installation Sculpture in the Wild. (Read more about Laci’s experience there.) But when Western Montana’s precarious springtime weather brought gusts of wind and snow, we had to make rapid alternative plans.
We wanted to select something in the same vein, inspiring our kids (ages 10, 9, 8, 6, and 6) to appreciate art. So we decided to hit up Zootown Arts Community Center. Located at 216 W Main St., the center has a mission to “cultivate community through accessible arts experiences for all.” Our kids were thrilled at the paint-your-own-pottery studio. The staff also guides participants in screen printing, print making, live performances, and exhibits. With so much to do, its no wonder ZACC has only five-star reviews on Google.
Our kids painted plates and pottery and mystical figurines. ZACC provides all of the paint and supplies, including paint brushes, paint, palates, cups of water, and even aprons to keep clothes clean, while patrons pay for the items they paint. They dry quickly. When the kids finished, we paid and waited for the call that said our creations would be ready.
Fortunately, Missoula is hardly bereft of opportunities to grow a fascination with art. For a town with roughly 70,000 inhabitants, there’s always more art options than there is time.
My long-time favorite gallery happens to be the Dana Gallery, a fine art gallery located on Higgins. The contemporary art gallery was established in 1996. It’s one of the best places to view art from local and regional artists like Caleb Meyer and Robert Moore. My kids and I love browsing the impressionist paintings of sights that are familiar: longhorn cattle, wild horses, pastoral fields, and downtown scenes.
Missoula’s newest gallery, Radius Gallery, opened next to The Mercantile on Higgins a couple of years ago. Whether it was because of Covid restrictions or their own desire to be cutting edge, I don’t know, but the gallery quickly moved their exhibitions online and now offer virtual tours for each artist they are exhibiting. The gallery’s motto is “live with art” and browsing sculptures, paintings, pottery, and photography will sure inspire any young artist.
A few blocks away at 335 N Pattee, Missoula Art Museum exists to wow, inspire, and educate. It was established in 1975 and has become a cultural staple for Missoula, offering various exhibits within its three stories, plus camps, classes, gatherings, and tours. An endowment, plus the generosity of donors and members allows MAM to be free for all. MAM is open Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
We’re looking forward to the days when every downtown business transforms into an art exhibit during First Fridays. When Caras Park is hopping with live music and crowds buzzing during festivals. But even without those things, Missoula is rife with cultural offerings and a great place to raise kids who appreciate the finer things.
