The Art of Making Art in Montana's Yellowstone Country

If you spend enough time in Montana’s Yellowstone Country, you’ll realize we are home to an incredible art scene. The reason is twofold: people flock here for the beauty from which many people find inspiration, and also that living in a remote area requires ingenuity, and many people forge a living through their art.

It’s not all about the work that is for sale. Across the region, you’ll find opportunities to explore your creativity through classes, “sip and paint” sessions, and crafting lessons. LeeAnn Ramey Art hosts sip-and-paint classes in her downtown Bozeman gallery. Of course, the goal is to have fun, but she teaches you some fundamentals about materials, technique, color and theory. (You can also schedule private group classes for your traveling companions!)

Pinspiration is a popular spot for crafters looking to create various pieces, from candles to sign-making and whatever other popular ideas are trending on Pinterest. Arts on Fire provides bisque and glazed pottery for custom painting, and they have six sessions of art camp throughout the summer if you want to jump into a more immersive experience.



At Greycliff Mill, you can learn the art of weaving. Stop in for a lesson and the chance to make your own woven goods! Or immerse yourself in their leather-making shop where you can tool leather into beautiful designs.

The Red Lodge Clay Center is a fabulous locale for ceramic artists, but it also hosts workshops, lectures, demonstrations, gallery exhibitions and educational programming for the general public. It offers private lessons and parties, another great activity if you’re traveling with a group.

Also, in Red Lodge, the Carbon County Depot Gallery provides workshops, classes and lectures on the visual, performing, and literary arts for adults and children. They also host the Beartooth Artist in Residence program, giving artists a unique opportunity to spend a concentrated time creating amidst some of the most beautiful mountains in the lower 48.

In Big Sky, the Arts Council of Big Sky offers a pay-what-you-can model for its classes, which include pottery, stained glass and an array of Kid’s Camps throughout the summer. Another great option for kids is The Art Room East, located in The Shane Center in Livingston. Focused on a nurturing studio environment that encourages young artists to enjoy the process of making art through a variety of studio classes and workshops.

The Livington Center for Art and Culture offers unique programs such as felting, sculpture, and plein-air landscape painting and drawing. The Teslo Art Center, also in Livingston, is a great place to learn about ceramics from a fourth- and fifth-generation Montana mother-daughter team.



And finally, for those who have furry friends, Wendy Marquis Art in Belgrade offers Paint Your Pet portrait classes. Who wouldn’t love to take that piece of art home?

Of course, if making art isn’t your jam, you can always appreciate the works of our local artists in the galleries or during one of the area art walks.

We hope you’ll enjoy discovering the creative side of our region; we sure do!