Culture

For Joliet sculptor Charles Ringer, ‘my lifestyle is my art’

By: Ed Kemmick | July 9, 2015

A lot of people are familiar with the work of Charlie Ringer, a metal sculptor who has lived in Joliet for almost 45 years. He figures he’s created more than 5,000 works of art, some of which are in galleries, corporate collections and museums across the country. Countless thousands of people have toured his gallery in Joliet or driven past his property just east of the gallery, fronted by large, whimsical metal sculptures like “The Creature,” dubbed “The Snow God” by skiers and snowboarders on their way to Red Lodge Mountain. (more…) Continue Reading →

Hillside full of ‘Bleu Horses’ is sculptor’s gift to Montana

By: Brian D'Ambrosio | July 7, 2015

Horses symbolize speed and passion, and their fundamental nature suggests wild and open movement. More than anything, perhaps, horses are a symbol of freedom. Likewise, there is a certain freedom in art that lies in being bold and emancipated, as well as in taking the initiative. Artists are what they make of themselves—and what they choose to make for others. (more…) Continue Reading →

MSUB prof studies nexus of food, politics in early U.S.

By: Carmen Price | July 2, 2015

MSU BILLINGS NEWS SERVICES—An assistant professor of history at Montana State University Billings is exploring the relationship between food and partisanship during the early American Republic. Emily Arendt is one of about 20 scholars, academics and creative writers selected to receive a 2015-16 short-term fellowship from the prestigious New York Public Library, where she will be doing research this summer and again in the winter. (more…) Continue Reading →

Spanish Revival house, rich in history, goes on the market

By: Ed Kemmick | June 18, 2015

One of the most distinctive old houses in Billings is on the market for the first time in nearly 40 years. The white stucco house with a red tile roof, at 2306 Virginia Lane, is being sold by two sisters, Carmen Forsman of Seattle and Lou Hegwer of Billings. (more…) Continue Reading →

Off The Leaf coffeeshop poised for major expansion

By: Ed Kemmick | June 11, 2015

Off The Leaf, a popular coffeeshop that opened in 2008 on Grand Avenue, is getting ready to go big. Besides making plans to open two new shops in Billings and four elsewhere in the country, the new owners of the business will send out a fleet of trucks and SUVs on Monday, bringing their mobile coffee bars to music festivals all across the country this summer. (more…) Continue Reading →

‘Art alley’ filling up quickly

By: Ed Kemmick | June 5, 2015

Just a week ago today I ran a story about the prep work being done for an “art alley” between the 3200 blocks of First and Second avenues north. (more…) Continue Reading →

The night Earl ‘Fatha’ Hines broke the silence at UM

By: Ed Kemmick | June 4, 2015

When I think of all the many concerts I’ve been to in my life, one memory usually bobs to the surface. It involved Earl “Fatha” Hines, playing the University Center ballroom at the University of Montana, sometime in the mid- to late-1970s. (more…) Continue Reading →

Billings oboist, friends work to revive forgotten composer

By: Ed Kemmick | June 2, 2015

Marilyn Cole is trying to get to Japan to pay tribute to a forgotten French composer. Cole is a 2002 graduate of Billings Senior High School who is now a professional musician in New York City. She belongs to a reed trio that has been invited to the International Double Reed (referring to oboes and bassoons) Society Conference in Tokyo this August. (more…) Continue Reading →

Prep work begins for ‘art alley’ in downtown Billings

By: Ed Kemmick | May 29, 2015

Work began Friday on an “alley art” project that will enliven a canyon of asphalt, steel and brick in downtown Billings. The project is a partnership between property owners, the Downtown Billings Association, Sherwin-Williams and Underground Culture Krew, an art gallery at 2814 Third Ave. N. (more…) Continue Reading →

Christene Meyers puts familiar byline on first novel

By: David Crisp | May 28, 2015

After 40 years in journalism, Christene Meyers decided to start making things up. The result is her first novel, “Lilian’s Last Dance,” which she introduced to readers here last week as part of Big Read events. Writing the book was, she said in an interview later, the hardest thing she has ever done. (more…) Continue Reading →

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