Spring into Friday night's ArtWalk

ArtWalk locations across downtown will be open from 5 to 9 p.m. to host exhibits and feature artists from Billings and throughout the region. A mobile-friendly map and more information about the April 4 event, including images and gallery notes, can be found at www.artwalkdowntownbillings.com and on Facebook and Instagram @billingsartwalk.

The April ArtWalk features 30 open locations including new season members Corby Skinner Fine Arts, Inkredible Art Production and Western Heritage Center.

All ArtWalk events are free. Many locations host music and offer light refreshments. Often, artists attend and present gallery talks. There are a variety of parking options in the downtown area, including free on street metered parking after 5 p.m.

Gallery Notes and Location

A&E Design, 124 N. 29th St., will be closed for the April ArtWalk event.

Aspinwall, 103 N. Broadway, hosts local artists Matthew Schreiner and Jessica Brophy.

The passion Schreiner has for animals began at a young age while hunting and fishing with his father. He works primarily in black and white with tints of selective color, focusing on line, form, and contrast. The powerful blending of mixed media on panels create a timeless, distinct piece of art. With every brush of paint each piece of art is attributed to the brilliance of God's creation.

Brophy was raised in the wilderness of Montana and grew up training horses, raising chickens, and painting. She does art differently. She makes custom art, which means she works one-on-one with each of her clients to create a painting or drawing around their style and what they love. Her pet portraits are wildly popular! Enjoy free beer and local art. 

Asylum Distillery, 2223 Montana Ave. #101, will be hosting artist Justin King for the April ArtWalk. Make sure to stop in and enjoy an amazing drink while viewing his art. King is a Billings based visual artist who uses his self-taught talents to break the lines between good and bad and ask us to see that real life has a lot more to question.

Barjon's Books, 223 N. 29th St., will be hosting artist Megan Begger for the April ArtWalk. As she prepares to embark on her journey as an Art Nomad, she is filled with excitement for this new chapter of her life. In April, she will hit the road in her camper, showcasing and selling her art across the West Coast. She is deeply grateful for the past three years she spent at her art studio and tattoo shop, Octopus Ink. This incredible experience allowed her to teach painting classes to people of all ages, develop her unique tattoo style, and inspire our community to explore their creativity. Each of these moments have shaped her, leading to the amazing opportunities that lie ahead.

Beartooth Barbershop, 2719 Montana Ave. New season member Beartooth Barbershop will be featuring photographer Trevan Hiersche for the April ArtWalk. Hiersche grew up in the heart of Idaho but now calls Montana home. He loves to explore landscapes far and wide and share the experiences with others. Helping others learn and enjoy photography is another passion. Light snacks and refreshments will be available.

Billings First Congregational Church (BFC), 310 N. 27th St., will be hosting artist Daniel Mangum. Having over a decade of experience as a professional commercial and residential painter, Mangum has stepped into the arena of acrylic color with paint already on his boots. It was only fourteen months ago that he started his artistic journey, and he hasn’t looked back. His style incorporates lively color combinations with the physics of spinning, capturing the paint in a state of velocity, and the imaginations of many.

Billings Symphony Society, 2820 2nd Ave. N., will be hosting artist Jamie Burr and Aurora, a string quartet for the April ArtWalk. Aurora will be performing a variety of music from 5:30 - 8 p.m. Quartet members include Lauren Griffin, Hannah Clough, Paige Driscoll and Kassidy Conlin. Join Jamie Burr in welcoming the warmer, longer days of spring and summer by taking a walk amongst her acrylic garden. This show will focus on floral still life paintings by using washes of acrylic layered upon each other to showcase the intricate details of a flower's individual characteristics and beauty. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.

Bishops Cuts/Color, 108 N. Broadway, will be hosting Chelsea Pritz owner of Resin8us, photographer Jon Miller and Jades Family.

Local artist and owner of resin8us Chelsey Pirtz will be showing her work. She makes resin earrings, decorative skulls, sun catchers, hanging planters and much more.

Billings native Jon Miller's current hobby is photography. He is hoping to make it a full-time career in the future.

Jades family will be set up. They have a rare opportunity to study in Brazil for 2-3 weeks. They have taken advantage of this opportunity by selling their own drawn, colored, and painted portraits based upon donations with a minimum of $5 to help cover their art supplies.

Confetti Heart Studio, 2821 2nd Ave. N., presents "Unfolding: A Celebration of Transformation." Metamorphosis is not instant. It is a slow, deliberate process-a dissolution of the old to make way for something entirely reimagined. Under new ownership, Confetti Heart Studio has been evolving, transforming from a forgotten space into a living work of art. This ArtWalk invites you to witness that ongoing renewal, featuring new works by artist and owner Beth Zitur, whose vision continues to shape its unfolding future.

Corby Skinner Fine Arts, 111 N. 30th St. New season member Corby Skinner will be joining us for the April ArtWalk. Drawing inspiration from Montana's vast skies, rivers, and prairie grasses to vibrant cultures encountered in travels, Skinner's work reflects a deep connection to the endless patterns found in our world. 

Craft Local, 2105 Montana Ave. At Craft Local, we’re committed to offering a space where local artists can thrive and our community can engage with transformative artistic experiences in the visual and performing arts. This exhibition is a statement: that Montana’s art scene is ever evolving at the edge of the prairie. Contemporary art meets local artists and teachers from all backgrounds. 

We’re inviting everyone to join us in this celebration of fine art—where beauty, scale, and vision come together to inspire. Stay tuned for exhibition details, and prepare to be captivated by what’s coming to Craft Local.

Cushing Terrell, 13 N, 23rd St., will be hosting Gregory Wilhelmi for the April ArtWalk. Wilhelmi’s paintings reflect a wide variety of life’s explorations and travels, encompassing studies of Europe, Mexico, the Caribbean and his favorite subject, the American West. His parents owned a dancehall in Roundup, Montana. As kids, Wilhelmi and his sisters sat on a wooden bench in front of the stage as the band and dance floor sprang to life. Country Music Hit Parade, an oil on canvas, tries to capture a sense of the magic that country music creates.

Light refreshments will be served. We look forward to the evening!

Downtown Billings Alliance (DBA), 102 N. 29th St., will be hosting artist Robert Johnson. His art career started at Commercial Art School in Minnesota, and he was hired right after graduation, by the Billings Gazette. He has had multiple shows in Billings over the last 10 years.

Inspiration for his work comes from Peter Max, Roger Dean, and other 60’s pop-art surrealist’s, and a love of nature found everywhere in Montana. Lately He’s been illustrating homes, with inspiration from Frank Lloyd Wright, and other mid-century architecture. He is one of the Artists sponsored by Rimrock Art & Frame. The medium he-uses has evolved into what he calls “Pen and Pixel.” A method of rough, pencil sketches of the subject on a large sketch pad. Once the sketch has taken shape. He continually refines it with tracing paper, or onion skin over the top of the art and makes black, line art drawings. He draws multiple black and white line renditions until satisfied. Then, the final line art drawing is made with multiple width drawing pens. Line drawings, and roughs will be on display to show the process from Pen to Pixel.

Electric Storm Gallery, 405 N 24th St., Featuring a diverse range of artists, "Reverberations" examines the ways our inner and outer worlds are continuously influenced by past moments, personal choices, and shared connections.

Essence Medical Spa, 2202 1st Ave. N. # 1, is pleased to be hosting local artists Terri Porta and Deva Gallagher for the April ArtWalk. Enjoy live music from Dylan Weibe along with light refreshments and hors d'oeuvres. 

Porta is a painter, muralist, and contemporary sculptor working in metal, wood, ceramics, and any other material readily available. She graduated from Montana State University Billings with her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and a women's study minor. She has an established art business, and her fine art is collected internationally and has been exhibited at group shows and in museums all over the region.

Gallagher is a silversmith/watercolor artist in Billings. She has a BFA in Metals/Jewelry from MSU-Bozeman. She uses her prized hammer collection to form small-batch sterling silver jewelry that is comfortable and built to last. Montana wildflowers and the golden age of rodeo cowgirls inspire her watercolor art, available as prints, tea towels, greeting cards, and t-shirts.

Global Village, 2815 2nd Ave. N. Fiber Artist Tammy Jordan will be joining for a fun evening. If you know Jordan, formerly from Billings now living in Lincoln and traveling the country sharing her talents, you know it will be fun. She will also be doing a workshop titled Painting with wool on Saturday at 10 a.m. Space is limited so sign up early.  

Hedden-Empire Gallery, 206 N. 29th St., will be hosting artist Patrick Diekemper for the April ArtWalk. Born and raised in Billings, Diekemper has a deep love for Montana's stunning landscapes. He spends much of his time exploring forests, Rivers and the iconic beauty of Yellowstone National Park, capturing breathtaking wildlife and landscape photography. His work has been featured in magazines, local businesses and even bank cards. He will be joined by his nieces, Ainsley and Mia, who will be selling their handmade bracelets to raise money for the Billings Animal Shelter.

Snacks and beverages will be provided.

Kennedy’s Stained Glass, 2409 2nd Ave. N., will be closed for the April ArtWalk.

Kibler & Kirch Fine Art, 2807 1st Ave. N. Formerly Stapleton Gallery, Kibler & Kirch Fine Art (KKFA) features a carefully curated selection of new art and artists, as well as displays its own surprising collection of art and objects. Whether you only want art itself or you want it to be the perfect thing for your space, you will find something to inspire you at KKFA.

Kirks Grocery, 2920 Minnesota Ave., is hosting the opening of "Never Really Cowboys: New Work" by Gordon McConnell, which is up from April 4 – May 24. McConnell has always considered the mythical Old West through the lens of a contemporary artist, utilizing mass-produced imagery as readymade material. Despite appearances, these are never really cowboys: they are actors, stuntmen, handsome models, and comic book characters.

McCormick Cafe, 2419 Montana Ave., will be hosting artist Kent Ickes for the April ArtWalk. He graduated from college with a fine art degree in 2000 from Montana State University-Bozeman. He is always expanding the ways he creates but is currently working in acrylic and oil painting. Landscapes and people are his favorite subjects.

Robert Tompkins Fine Art, 115 N. 28th St. #304, Robert Tompkins is an impressionist oil painter. Work bridges realism & abstract. Gallery features original oils, landscapes, florals. animals & abstract.

Sandstone Gallery, 2913 2nd Ave. N., will showcase beautiful watercolors on canvas by Dick Cottrill, as well as acrylic and watercolor paintings and urban sketches by John Kennedy. Our Spring Art Challenge features 6 x 8 miniature masterpieces created by various artists, available for purchase. The Billings Arts Association will highlight the work of Lindsey Huntley and Dorene Amber for the months of April and May. Many of our 14 featured artists will be present to display their work and discuss their artistic process. We invite you to come enjoy a lively evening in downtown Billings!

Seth Royal Kroft Photography, 207 N. Broadway. Professional wildlife and landscape photographer Seth Royal Kroft is a Billings native who spent his upbringing participating in all the outdoor activities Montana had to offer. Seth’s work focuses on the mountain regions of Montana and Yellowstone National Park, and has been featured in hotels, luxury apartments, magazines, travel guides, billboards, international online articles and more.

Stephen Haraden Studio and Gallery, 2817 2nd Ave. N. #205. Take home a surprise this Artwalk. Select your choice of a swappable grab bag in the Stephen Haraden Studio. Additionally, view new scrap paper collage creations large and small in this work space studio.

Stone Feather Road, 2525 Minnesota Ave., will be closed for the April ArtWalk.

The Grand Building (Jake's Downtown), 2701 1st Ave. N., Jake's lobby will be open for the April ArtWalk.

This House of Books, 116 N. 29th St., is once again featuring fan-favorite mixed-media artist Lindsey Munson and her creature features. This show will highlight parasites in all their creepy, beautiful glory, and there will be a free craft and coloring page for kids!

Tyler Murphy Studio, 111 N. 30th # 217. For the April ArtWalk Tyler Murphy will have a handful of new paintings on display at the studio above the Art House Cinema.

Visible Vault (YAM), 505 N. 26th St., Meet YAM’s new Artist-in-Residence, Manette Rene Bradford, who will be in the studio in the Visible Vault from 3 – 7 p.m. She constructs imagined allegorical narratives for the histories and ecologies of specific geographic locations through paintings, sculptures, and wall-sized mixed media works.

Western Heritage Center, 2822 Montana Ave., presents "Empowered heARTS: Work from Artists with Disabilities." Come celebrate the opening of their new exhibitions. Refreshments and activities will be available. Explore the emotion and skill of artists living with disabilities in the Yellowstone River Valley. From well-known talents to emerging young artists, experience the variety and color of these wonderful works of art.  

Yellowstone Art Museum (YAM), 410 N. 27th St. Join us April 4 at 4 p.m. as we host the National Scrollathon. The Scrollathon is a multimedia, collaborative creative project that will bring together people from all 50 states. Steven and William Ladd will guide us through a hands-on, found material art lesson that will be displayed at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC.

Afterward, the YAM will be open until 8 p.m. and it's looking like a great night to get out and view some art during ArtWalk. We currently have 3 exhibitions on view. Museum admission is free.