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A celebration of art and music at Swan River School

TAYLOR INMAN | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 4 months AGO
by TAYLOR INMAN
REPORTER AND PODCAST HOST Taylor Inman covers Bigfork and the north shore of Flathead Lake for the Bigfork Eagle and the Daily Inter Lake. Her reporting focuses on local government, community issues and the people who shape life in Northwest Montana. Inman began her journalism career at Murray State University’s public radio newsroom and later reported for WKMS, where her work aired on National Public Radio. In addition to reporting, she hosts and contributes to Daily Inter Lake podcasts including News Now. Her work connects listeners and readers with the stories shaping communities across the Flathead Valley. IMPACT: Taylor’s work expands local journalism through both traditional reporting and digital storytelling. | May 18, 2022 12:00 AM

Students and their families joined school staff to celebrate Swan River School's art classes and music program during their Community Dessert Night on May 11. Art from all grade levels lined the walls and there was a performance from the school's band and choir. Attendees also enjoyed free dessert.

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Brianne Fuzesy directs the Swan River School band during their performance on Wednesday night. (Taylor Inman/Bigfork Eagle)

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Lord said she incorporates different artists into the student's curriculum. Works from their lessons about painter Georgia O'Keefe can be seen on the left. She said she also tries to highlight Montanan artists like Charlie Russell and art created by Native Americans. (Taylor Inman/Bigfork Eagle)

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Jan Lord teaches k-5th grade art at Swan River School. She said she tries to tie in many different mediums for her students. She is pictured here next to a project that used water color markers. (Taylor Inman/Bigfork Eagle)

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Kindergartener Bailey Kleffner points towards her piece, which was a unit inspired by Native American art. (Taylor Inman/Bigfork Eagle)

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2nd grader Ashley Kleffner points towards her art piece during Wednesday's Community Desert Night at Swan River School. (Taylor Inman/Bigfork Eagle)

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Shelley Emslie teaches 6th-8th grade art at Swan River School. She said these deer heads are inspired by scenes around Montana, and were paid for with a D.A. Davidson grant. They were worked on in groups of six or seven students. She said they are hoping to auction them off in the future for the benefit of the school's art program. (Taylor Inman/Bigfork Eagle)

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6th grader Iro Hickey stands next to her star spangled deer head, which she completed in a group project for her art class. (Taylor Inman/Bigfork Eagle)

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