Opinion
OP-ED: If you build it they will come
Published
10 years agoon
By Eric Ladd
Explore Big Sky Publisher
With the flip-flop months upon southwest Montana, it’s hard not to notice all the fun outdoor activities taking place throughout our community.
In Big Sky, we have some exciting success to report and celebrate with the continued growth of our park and trail developments. During the past eight years, the Big Sky Community Corp. has embarked on an ambitious multi-million dollar effort to build a community park and expand its trails network.
The success of BSCC’s work has become a focal point for Big Sky. Hundreds of people gather daily at the new community park, and trailheads are overflowing with hikers and bikers. Some great examples of the momentum of BSCC’s efforts include a co-ed softball league that has 17 teams, a new little league, a soccer league, a world-class skate park, and the Ousel Falls parking lot that is logging record numbers for a Gallatin Valley trailhead.
In 2014, BSCC will open nearly five miles of new trails starting in the Big Sky Town Center with a master plan that will tie together the Mountain Village, Town Center, Community Park and Ousel Falls. The parks and trails efforts in Big Sky are a great example of the need to protect landscape and create facilities that encourage outdoor gatherings and adventures, which are good for both social and economic growth in our communities.
But ambitious efforts don’t come cheap and people are often confused about where funding comes from to build and maintain these facilities, especially for a community that doesn’t have an organized government and/or funded park district. The answer: donations and grants.
On July 19, BSCC is hosting its annual Gala where 100 percent of the proceeds go to benefit the future growth of parks and trails in Big Sky. This evening includes a catered dinner, live and silent auctions and fun music. Tickets for this event are limited, so if you’re a lover of parks and trails, please come out and show your support.
Donors that cannot attend the Gala but are interested in supporting BSCC should strongly consider making a meaningful contribution – the faster the money comes in, the faster trails will be built. Ticket information can be found at bsccmt.org or by calling (406) 993-2112.
Let’s hope that as southwest Montana embarks on the next construction growth spurt, groups like BSCC, land trusts and conservation groups will continue to garner community support to protect this cherished place we call home.
Megan Paulson is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Outlaw Partners.
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February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
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Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
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March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
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Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
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We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a
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We all are familiar with using a limited palette, but do you use one? Do you know how to use a limited palette to create different color combinations? Are you tired of carrying around 15-20 different tubes when you paint plein air? Have you ever wanted to create a certain “mood” in a painting but failed? Do you create a lot of mud? Do you struggle to achieve color harmony? All these problems are addressed in John’s workbook in clear and concise language!
Based on the bestselling “Limited Palatte, Unlimited Color” workbook written by John Pototschnik, the workshop is run by Maggie Shane and Annie McCoy, accomplished landscape (acrylic) and plein air (oil) artists,exhibitors at the Big Sky Artists’ Studio & Gallery and members of the Big Sky Artists Collective.
Each student will receive a copy of “Limited Palette, Unlimited Color” to keep and take home to continue your limited palette journey. We will show you how to use the color wheel and mix your own clean mixtures to successfully create a mood for your paintings.
Each day, we will create a different limited palette color chart and paint a version of a simple landscape using John’s directives. You will then be able to go home and paint more schemes using the book for guidance.
Workshop is open to painters (oil or acrylic) of any level although students must have some basic knowledge of the medium he or she uses. Students will be provided the book ($92 value), color wheel, value scale and canvas papers to complete the daily exercises.
Sundays, April 14, 21 and 28, 2024
Noon until 6PM.
$170.
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Everyone is invited to join us in celebrating 2 years of arts education in the BASE Art Studio with us! Take a tour
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Everyone is invited to join us in celebrating 2 years of arts education in the BASE Art Studio with us! Take a tour of the studio, meet our instructors, and meet other artists of all levels in our community. We’ll be getting creative and you’ll have the chance to make your very own artful button pin.
Stick around for our Volunteer Appreciation and Social beginning at 6:30 p.m.!
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(Thursday) 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
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285 Simkins Dr