Hergert of Bozeman named as next "treasured" Montana artist Play Video
Posted: Jan 25, 2010 4:27 PM
Updated: Jan 25, 2010 7:08 PM
Montana Secretary of State Linda McCulloch introduced Bozeman photographer Craig Hergert of Bozeman as the next "Treasured" Montana Artist. Hergert is the fourth Montana artist to receive the distinction since McCulloch launched the exhibit in January 2009.
McCulloch noted, "Craig's artwork is larger than life. His photographs take you on a panoramic journey across some of Montana's most beautiful landscapes. Each photo is different, and each tells a story of its own."
Hergert said, "Nothing compares to the pure splendor of the magnificent and diverse landscape of Montana. For 12 years I have attempted to capture this world through new eyes and a new lens. There have been quite a few changes in the short time since I began this process, and my hope is that these images will tell their small part through historical documentation, or visions of beauty alone."
Hergert is a freelance artist, and he owns and operates the Montana Panoramic Gallery, which is located in the Emerson Cultural Center for the Arts in Bozeman.
His work is on display not only across Montana but also in New York City and Europe. The art featured in the Secretary of State's office is stitch landscape panorama. To create his pieces, Hergert takes anywhere from ten to thirty photos and carefully patches them together.
Herget noted, "It's also a combination of documentation in that Montana has changed so much in the last 15-20 years that a lot of these images - they're never going to be there again, as the development goes around and such. So I like to document farms, ranches, landscapes, areas of development, things of that nature."
Hergert says he hopes when people look at his art they will stop and be in the moment.
Hergert's artwork will be on display through April 2010 in the lobby of the Secretary of State's office in the Capitol Building in Helena. The public is welcome to visit the exhibit; there is no cost.
More information about Hergert's exhibit is available on the Secretary of State's website.
