SEELEY LAKE – “Gratitude and deep appreciation…This sums up the feelings of students that were awarded scholarships and youth grants from Alpine Artisans over the last thirteen years,” read the opening of an article written by Alpine Artisans, Inc. Executive Director Martha Swanson in fall 2007. Even though the impact for the students was evident, with 14 students receiving more than $8,600 in scholarships and the youth grant program starting in 2005, Swanson explained AAI was at a crossroads. Without the financial support of AAI members and other donors, the youth grants and scholarship would no longer exist.
Now 25 years since the inception of the annual scholarship program and 15 years for the youth grants, more than $25,000 has been awarded to area students.
AAI’s mission to help students explore their interest in art, drama, dance or music continues as three area students were given youth grants to pursue their aspirations in drama and music and Zia Kloetzel of Ovando received a $1,000 scholarship to pursue music in college.
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AAI’s mission is to promote and preserve the arts in the Seeley, Swan and Blackfoot valleys of Western Montana. They accomplish this through supporting artists, arts education, outreach and information gathering and sharing.
According to Swanson, the idea of an annual scholarship offered to a graduating senior to pursue a major or minor in the arts at an accredited post-secondary institution came from Swan Valley couple Bob and Ruth Korn when they took a leadership role in the fledgling AAI organization. The winters were long and there were not many things going on in Seeley Lake, so this group of artists decided to have a fancy event which they called ‘Wine and Chocolate’ at Valentine’s Day. With the proceeds from the event in 1995, AAI awarded their first scholarship to LaNette Conley for $500. The scholarship continued to be supported by the annual Wine and Chocolate event.
The Youth Grant program started in 2005.
“It was motivated by the idea that the earlier we encourage the students’ interest in the arts, the more likely they will enjoy the richness it brings to their lives,” wrote Swanson in an email. “The camps and lessons also provide opportunities for friendship and broaden their ideas regarding their future.”
AAI also funded the fifth grade field trip to the Missoula Art Museum for many years.
“It was obvious that the younger students were quite interested in the artwork,” wrote Swanson.
In 2011 Ruth Korn passed away. To honor her, AAI named the annual scholarship the “Ruth Korn Memorial Scholarship.”
“She loved children, art and the Swan Valley and taught for 10 years at the Swan Valley School,” wrote Swanson. “She and Bob were founding members of AAI who profoundly shaped the success of the organization.”
While proceeds from the Wine and Chocolate event provided the funding for the scholarship in the early years, AAI has since diversified their funding matrix for the scholarship and youth grants. They have held an annual Scholarship Raffle at one major event per year. Events have included the Loon and Fish Festival, AAI Art and Talent Show and the Wine and Chocolate Benefit. AAI’s Painting for a Dream Workshop started and organized by Kris Gullikson is held once or twice a year. This event also generates a substantial amount for the Scholarship Fund as well as individual donors.
Swanson, who is no longer the executive director but is a member on AAI’s Scholarship and Grants Committee, said the scholarship and youth grants are consistently listed as a favorite program by AAI members.
“We have funded music lessons, dance classes, International Music camp attendees, theater camps, beading lessons, voice lessons, videography camps and pottery lessons,” wrote Swanson. “In all, there have been 68 Youth Grants awarded and three youth grant recipients have later been awarded Senior Scholarships. Overall, it’s been a wonderful program which has evolved, with the original intent preserved.”
Jeremiah Rittel received one of the first youth grants in 2005 to attend International Band Camp in North Dakota. He then received a scholarship in 2009 when he entered the University of Montana. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance from UM in 2013, two Masters of Music in Jazz Performance and Pedagogy and Clarinet Performance from U of Missouri–Columbia in 2016 and earned a Master in Jazz Saxophone from Domenico Cimarosa Conservatory of Music – Avellino, Italy in 2018. He has since moved back to U.S. and is living in Tucson with his family of instruments: clarinet, soprano sax, alto sax, tenor sax, barisax, piano, djembe, flute and a few others.
“Alpine Artisans’ scholarships and efforts to bring professional musicians into the Seeley-Swan Valley helped inspire me to follow my musical interests growing up,” wrote Rittel in a letter of thanks from 2014. “Had it not been for Alpine Artisans, I would not have had the financial and community support in the early stages of my development that I now value and appreciate beyond words.”
Many other past recipients are grateful for the program because it gives them the opportunity to pursue and learn more about something they really enjoy, be around like-minded people and make new friends and grow in their craft.
“The help from your organization has helped me blossom as an artist,” wrote Morgan Barker, a three-time youth grant recipient in 2011-2013 and scholarship recipient in 2016 when she went to Northwestern College of Art & Design. “I am forever grateful!”
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This year’s youth grants were awarded to Seeley Lake sophomore Grace Wilson, Seeley Lake third grader Audrey Stevenson and Potomac third grader Easton Davis.
This is Wilson’s third year receiving the grant to participate with Missoula Children’s Theatre. This year she received $280 to attend the MCT Spring Break Drama Day Camp. Wilson wrote in her application that she looks forward to the opportunity to grow in her acting, singing and dancing skills with MCT.
Stevenson received $300 for guitar lessons. In her application she said her dad, who plays the guitar, inspired her.
This is Davis’ second year receiving a youth grant. Last year he used his grant for guitar lessons which he continues to take. This year he received $225 to attend Missoula Children’s Theatre Summer Camp since he enjoyed being in the MCT play in Potomac this last year.
Kloetzel received the Ruth Korn Memorial Scholarship for $1,000. Music has always been a large part of her family. She received three youth grants. The first was for Theater Camp in 2012. The next two provided her with $200 to attend Montana Fiddle Camp in 2015 and 2016.
Kloetzel wrote in her application that her first choice is Berklee School of Music. While she has auditioned, a decision is still in the works. This fall she intends to attend a smaller liberal arts school such as University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash. and will pursue music.
I certainly believe I will end up at Berklee School of Music in my near future and no matter where I end up this coming fall, in state or out, your scholarship will help me pay for years attending college, while pursuing music and the fine arts,” wrote Kloetzel in her application. “I can’t do this without your generous support like I have received in past years.”
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