The Whitefish art community hosts an evening of featured artist exhibitions the first Thursday of the month.

The next Whitefish Gallery Night is Oct. 5. Events take place at 11 participating galleries from 6-9 p.m.

The participating galleries include: Dick Idol Signature Gallery, Frame of Reference Fine Art, Going To The Sun Gallery, McGough & Company, Stephen Isley Jewelry, Stumptown Art Studio, Sunti World Art Gallery, The Purple Pomegranate, The Walking Man Frame Shop & Gallery, Whitefish Pottery & Stillwater Gallery and White Apple Gallery.

Gallery Nights occurs through October. For more information, visit www.whitefishgallerynights.org or on Facebook at Whitefish Gallery Nights-First Thursdays.

A few of the galleries are presenting featured artist or exhibits on Thursday.

- The Purple Pomegranate is featuring a retrospective show by Whitefish artist, Deb Stika during the month of October.

Stika has been doing mosaic in the Flathead Valley for 20 years. During this period she acted as art director for the Windows on Whitefish project which included teaching over 200 members of our community to mosaic. It’s time for her to move on to other creative endeavors so she is taking on the monumental task of cleaning out her studio. The work she has uncovered and is putting up for sale will be at the Purple Pomegranate.

This October show is called MISC. and includes all kinds of work: picture frames, garden charms, mobiles, imagination cubes, monograms, critters, and more.

- For the past 15 years Stumptown Art Studio has been featuring the final gallery night of the season to showcase and celebrate Dia de Los Muertos.

Dia de Los Muertos, translated as “Day of the Dead,” is a multi-day festival in Mexico honoring departed ancestors, friends and family. There are journeys to cemeteries to spruce up neglected grave sites, lively marketplaces selling breads, candies in the shapes of skeletons, and family altars lovingly assembled. Halloween-like festivities are taken to the streets and peaceful vigils convene in cemeteries.

Art students from schools around the Flathead Valley to create 2D and 3D paintings, and sculptures for the annual exhibit.

As a special art activity for the evening, folks are invited to take part in painting their own sugar skull designed canvas. Paints and canvases are provided, with some sample images to inspire. This night is for the entire family; all ages are encouraged to attend.

- The Walking Man Frame Shop & Gallery will feature Whitefish artist Olivia Stark.

Stark started painting at around age 30 while her children were still in school. She is drawn to big surfaces, big color and movement. She uses automatic drawing practices as her primary tool for making art and is inspired by what comes when allowing the subconscious to create though shapes or simple brush strokes.