Bigfork galleries are providing a jump

start to Christmas shopping along with a chance to view work from

local artists during the Holiday Art Walk on Saturday, Nov. 20.

Residents can stroll the Village,

freshly decorated by the Bigfork Elves that morning, and visit any

of the 16 galleries participating in the art walk between 3 p.m.

and 7 p.m., leading up to the lighting of the Bigfork Christmas

Tree.

“It’s a way to get out and enjoy

yourself,” said Tammy Riecke, a member of the Bigfork Gallery

Group, which puts on the annual event.

Galleries will have new works on

display as well as artists and shop owners to visit with.

Participating galleries are downtown and along the Montana Highway

35 corridor stretching north to the Parker Gallery in the Branding

Iron Station.

“It’s that opportunity when you aren’t

in a hurry to see what is available in downtown,” Riecke said.

“Bigfork has a lot of locally made items and a lot of affordable

ideas for presents.”

Attendees can pick up a map at any of

the galleries. By filling out the bottom portion, they can enter to

win a $100 gift certificate to a gallery of their choice.

This year the art walk also includes a

raffle for a number of items, including two prints of Bigfork’s

latest Christmas card by Danielle Taylor.

One of the prints has been embellished

by Taylor and has a value of nearly $700.

The Bigfork Christmas cards are a more

than 20-year tradition that gives a taste of the Village’s holiday

spirit.

Every year or two, a new card is added

to the collection.

Taylor’s piece is the newest addition,

completed last year.

Tickets for the raffle are $1 apiece or

six for $5. The raffle will continue into December.