Collecting Freeman Butts: The Beginnings of the Danforth Museum of Art's Collection
Thursday, March 7th, 2024 | 5:30 - 7:30pm

A Discussion with Storrs Bishop, Executive Director, The Danforth Museum of Art in Livingston, Montana. Followed by a conversation and open discussion about collecting non-western American art in the rural west between Storrs Bishop and Nicole Maria Evans, Curator of Exhibitions and Collections at Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art

Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art presents Freeman Butts, an exhibition organized by the Danforth Art Museum, and traveling throughout Montana via the auspices of the Montana Art Gallery Directors Association (MAGDA). This exhibition features thirteen figurative paintings from the artist’s Late Period between 1982 and 1994.

Butts resided in Livingston during the 1990s and it has been said that he can be credited with helping to bring contemporary art to the state of Montana. Butts’ artistic legacy is vast and includes drawings, watercolors, paintings, and sculpture. His paintings are characterized by expressive brushwork and fluid, sensuous line that can be seen in the dozen pieces on display in this exhibition.

Freeman Butts: Late Work 1982-1994 at Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art is supported in part by the Montana Arts Council, a state agency funded by the State of Montana, and the National Endowment for the Arts. We are funded in part by coal severance taxes paid based upon coal mined in Montana and deposited in Montana's cultural and aesthetic projects trust fund. Additional funding is provided by museum members and the citizens of Cascade County, Davidson Family Foundation, D.A. Davidson, Horizon Credit Union, an anonymous donor, and Kelly’s Signs & Design.

MAGDA is a non-profit organization founded in 1972. The mission is to serve the non-profit museums and galleries of Montana, and artists, by offering high quality art exhibitions and professional development training. The organization is dedicated to support and develop public interest in, and knowledge of the cultural resources and heritage of the State of Montana. MAGDA’s work would not be possible without the support of its membership, the Montana Arts Council, a state agency funded by the State of Montana; coal severance taxes paid based upon coal mined in Montana and deposited in Montana’s Cultural and Aesthetic Projects Trust Fund; and the National Endowment for the Arts.