Auction for the Arts
Arts Council of Big Sky
Arts Council of Big Sky
Big Sky, Montana
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Big Sky, Montana -
The Auction for the Arts at the Big Sky Center for the Arts marked a milestone year as the event took place for the first time in the organization’s evolving home. With a Mardi Gras-inspired theme and mountain flair, the evening featured live music, great food, Quick Finish artists, and a wide range of artwork up for auction. Two preview nights gave the community a chance to view the work in advance, leading into an evening of live and silent auctions, the Fill Our Cup ceramics wall, and live art-making throughout the event. Kate also met with four featured artists ahead of the auction, sharing their stories and creative process through social media to help connect the community more deeply with the work before auction night.
As the Arts Council of Big Sky’s annual fundraising gala, the Auction for the Arts supports accessible, community-based arts programming and helps expand creative opportunities throughout Big Sky. Held at the Big Sky Center for the Arts, the event brings together local artists, live music, and immersive creative experiences, all captured by Kate through photo and video storytelling that documented the artwork, artists, and community energy that make the auction possible each year.
Thoughtfully crafted to elevate what matters most.
Video Highlights
Overview video of the Auction for the Arts at the Big Sky Center for the Arts, capturing the artists, attendees, food, and the overall energy of the evening. The piece highlights the creativity, community, and atmosphere that filled the space throughout the event.
Studio Tours
artist Adam Schwankl
As part of our artist studio tour series leading up to the Auction for the Arts, we visited Adam Schwankl’s studio to capture the inspiration, movement, and mountain lifestyle reflected throughout his work. Known for his expressive use of color and light, Adam brought two memorable pieces to this year’s auction as both a Quick Finish and Silent Auction artist.
His silent auction piece, “Friends,” captured a peaceful alpine moment filled with warmth, connection, and the quiet beauty of life in the mountains. Through layered color and soft movement, the painting reflected the emotional storytelling that defines much of Adam’s work. During the event, guests also watched Adam complete a live Bridger skier painting for the Quick Finish, bringing his energetic painting style into the room in real time.
Throughout the studio tour, Adam spoke about creating artwork rooted in experience, memory, and the outdoors:
“I want my paintings to feel like a memory you can step back into.”
“I’m inspired by movement, light, and the feeling of being outside.”
“Living in the mountains shapes everything I create.”
By the end of the evening, both works had sold, and one collector connected so strongly with Adam’s work that they commissioned three additional paintings following the auction.
The studio tour series gave our community an opportunity to step inside the creative process and connect more deeply with the artists whose work helped make this year’s Auction for the Arts such a meaningful event.
Follow Adam’s work here:
Adam Schwankl Studio
@schwonk_ on Instagram
Artist Jack Schnepf
Meet Jack Schnepf, a Quick Finish artist and Silent Auction featured artist in this year’s Auction for the Arts
Through paintings of wolves, moose, and expansive landscapes, Jack explores the emotional connection between humans and the wild, creating work that feels reflective, layered, and deeply alive. His paintings invite viewers to slow down, observe more closely, and reconnect with the natural world around them.
Jack’s process embraces movement, instinct, and collaboration in a unique way. Rather than controlling every outcome, he often welcomes others to contribute marks and brushstrokes to his pieces, allowing each painting to evolve naturally over time. Every layer becomes part of the story, shaped by shared experience and the unpredictable rhythm of creation itself.
Capturing Jack’s process, thoughts, and story added another dimension to the work itself. Hearing him speak about the meaning behind his paintings, his relationship with nature, and the way each piece evolves brought a deeper connection to the artwork and gave viewers a closer look into the intention behind every mark. It added an element to the experience that felt important to share.
Throughout the studio tour, Jack spoke about creating artwork that holds both stillness and energy, balancing quiet moments in nature with expressive texture and motion. His work reflects a deep appreciation for wildlife and the landscapes that continue to inspire him.
Watch the studio video and step inside Jack’s world
Artist Amber Blazina
Meet Amber Blazina, one of this year’s Quick Finish Artists
Known for her bold, energetic landscapes, Amber creates contemporary western oil paintings that capture the movement, light, and atmosphere of the Rocky Mountain West. Working in an expressive alla prima style, she builds rich texture and depth with confident brushwork, creating pieces that feel both immediate and immersive.
Raised in rural Montana and now painting full-time in the Rocky Mountains, Amber draws from a deep connection to the landscapes that surround her. Her background in design, combined with years of dedicated study and practice, has shaped a distinctive visual language that balances structure with spontaneity.
Watching Amber paint is an experience in itself. Seeing a landscape emerge layer by layer, from broad strokes to subtle details, offers a glimpse into the energy and decision-making behind each piece. Capturing her process, thoughts, and approach to painting added another dimension to the work, allowing viewers to connect not only with the finished piece but with the journey of its creation.
As a Quick Finish Artist, Amber created her landscape oil painting on linen live during the Auction for the Arts, giving guests the opportunity to witness the texture, movement, and depth of her work unfold in real time.
Watch the studio video and step inside Amber’s creative world
Artist Jill Zeidler
Meet Jill Zeidler, a featured artist in this year’s Auction for the Arts
Working from her studio in Big Sky, Jill creates contemporary ceramic pieces that balance clean, modern design with the organic qualities of hand-built clay. Inspired by Montana’s landscapes, wildlife, and natural forms, her work often incorporates subtle imagery, soft color palettes, and playful patterns that reflect a deep connection to place.
Each piece is carefully hand-built using slabs of stoneware clay, a process that allows for both structure and spontaneity. Rather than hiding the handmade nature of her work, Jill embraces it, leaving exposed seams and small imperfections that become part of each piece’s character and story.
Capturing Jill’s process and hearing her talk about her approach to ceramics added another layer to the work itself. Understanding how each form is built by hand, how imagery is selected, and how the surrounding landscape influences her designs offers a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship behind every piece. It transforms the work from an object into a reflection of both process and place.
Jill’s ceramics bring together artistry, function, and a sense of Montana's natural beauty, creating pieces that feel thoughtful, timeless, and distinctly her own.
Watch the studio video and step inside Jill’s creative world
Jill Zeidler Ceramic Art Website
@jillzeidler.ceramic.art on Instagram