News

"Fish Out Of Water" in Madison County, Montana

August 25, 2008 /

MATR Sponsor (view all)

Bear Paw Development Corporation is a private non-profit organization created for the purpose of administering programs to help improve regional economic conditions in Hill, Blaine, Liberty, Chouteau and Phillips Counties and the Fort Belknap and Rocky Boy's Indian Reservations.

The Fish Out of Water Community Art Project is not a new concept. Adopted by many communities around the nation, this project will not only increase the aesthetic beauty of towns around Madison County, but will also raise money for area charities. Here is how it works…

We have 12 fiberglass trout-shaped sculptures that are approximately five feet tall and five feet long. Various area artists will be selected to whimsically paint his or her interpretation of the theme, “Montana History or Heritage, Nature, or Wildlife.” After the sculptures have been painted and coated with a clear coat to protect the artwork, they will be placed all around Madison County at sponsor locations. They will stay at these locations for a period of one year. During this year, the general public will be encouraged to visit each sculpture at its sponsor location in order to increase traffic to each area, thereby stimulating the economy of the sculpture’s immediate environment. After the year is over, the sculptures will then be ‘schooled’ at one location and auctioned off. The proceeds of each sculpture will be split between the MCEDC, the artists, and 12 area charities.

To our knowledge, no one in the nation has displayed trout as their sculptures. Please check back often for updated photos of our fish.

Latest Update: Several of the sculptures are in full color! The artists are putting finishing touches on their artwork, and many have received their clear coats and are ready to be unveiled. The Gala Unveiling event will be on Friday, August 29, at 6:00 pm at Peter T’s Park in conjunction with the Ennis on the Madison Fly Fishing Festival to http://www.madisonriverfoundation.org

This is the only time all of the sculptures will be in one place before the auction in 2009. A silent auction will begin at the unveiling and will run for one year. The high bid from the silent auction will be the opening bid for the live auction in 2009. Come see the artwork and see these colorfully painted works of art. The unveiling will be complete with food, beverages and classic tunes from Flatland Mountain Rock Band.

http://madcoedc.org/fly_fishing_montana.htm