Bozeman Art Museum ‘Foundations of Vision’ exhibit: Where art meets architecture

MSU’s architecture students are taking their coursework to another level by proposing building and landscaping ideas for a permanent Bozeman Art Museum (BAM) building. 

BAM held an opening reception for the exhibit “Foundations of Vision: Architecture & Imagination” on Oct. 9, where featured work will be on display until Dec. 19. 

Linda Williams, the executive director and the founder of BAM, became set on the idea of Bozeman having a local art museum in 2012. That dream came true in January 2020 with the opening of BAM — after extensive planning and obtaining a master's degree in modern art history, theory and criticism. BAM is currently run by Williams and a small team of about three people, so the non-profit organization remains close-knit and deeply cared for.

The “Foundations of Vision” exhibit features three sections: Work from one of the most influential Bozeman architects, Fred Willson, MSU architecture students' mock-ups for a new BAM building and local architects’ after-hours work. 

“Through his buildings and designs, Willson helped establish an architectural character that continues to define Bozeman today,” said the “Foundations of Vision” introductory panel. 

MSU students created a design proposal for the new permanent home of BAM, turning to Willson — focused on Classical Revival, Art Deco and Mission Revival — for inspiration and direction. The project was proposed to seniors in the course Architecture 457, in collaboration with local artist and architect Julian Harake.  

“We've had 28 exhibits. We do four a year, distinctly unique exhibits, and we're really excited about this one because we have been given the five acres on Nelson Road,”  Williams said. “It's a 15-acre cultural campus, so the Montana Center for the Arts will have their performing arts center there and we're looking for other arts groups that may want to build out there.” 

Williams and her board of directors have chosen Lake Flato Architects, based out of San Antonio and who recently completed Gianforte Hall, to bring to life a new, permanent, artistic and functional BAM. 

MSU students' work displayed in the gallery represents a unique synthesis of work done by Willson and Lake Flato. The exhibit features wooden and 3D-printed concept models, blueprints and generated adaptation photos of these blueprints which depict surrounding farmland and more. The work going into these plans is exceedingly detailed — at first glance the audience may believe they are looking at a photo of a recently completed building. 

The rest of the art displayed is a mix of mediums and artists called “Local Architects After Hours.” Williams supports local artists in incorporating their work, while allowing them to be expressive in ways that may seem more limited in their professional life. These artists were drawn to more unique mediums, like artwork on an animal hide — or the accordion-style notebook, featuring pages and pages of architectural drawings mixed with styles from tarot. 

Having their pieces shown in this way can be rewarding to all artists. Students gain valuable exposure in showcasing their hard work, while local architects step outside their norm in everyday work to share a more playful, personal side of themselves. 

“I am especially inspired by MSU School of Architecture students’ work exploring how the BAM could function as a contemporary cultural space, while paying homage to Bozeman’s history and place,” said Dean Adams, the dean of the College of Arts & Architecture. “This exhibition exemplifies ways MSU architecture students can help shape our future through their work. Our students and alumni employ design and ideation processes that help build thriving communities and bring people together, which is what community is all about.” 

To see the “Foundations of Vision" exhibit at BAM, stop by 2612 W Main St Suite B, Bozeman, MT 59718, open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.