Nancy Fitch: CHARACTER
“Many people feel strongly that their quality of life is much better in this small but vibrant community. People all know each other.”
Summer II 2024 Artist-in-Residence in Philipsburg, MT.
The view from Nancy’s studio outside of Philipsburg, MT.
What role does place (physical space and community) play in your work, especially during your time at Open AIR?
My art and my life in Montana are deeply interconnected. I am drawn to paint Montana’s nature, wildness, and pristineness. But along the way, including during my residency, I realized that to portray this place, I needed to paint the town of Phillipsburg and its community. Phillipsburg is surrounded by pristine nature, but the town has its own strong character and history of survival, bucking the trend of small Montana towns losing their young people to big cities. Phillipsburg has a strong ARTs committee, trying to foster the arts to give character to its future. I have been painting Phillipsburg’s surroundings but during the residency, I realized I needed to paint its people and buildings to really understand the place.
A painting of downtown Philipsburg by Nancy Fitch.
The Phillipsburg Brewery is the town's watering hole and might be primarily responsible for the town’s resurrection. Besides excellent craft beer, the brewery sits on Main Street, has food trucks as well as outdoor tables, now has additional locations, sponsors many music and social events, and competes with the thrift store and the library for town culture.
A painting of the interior of the Philipsburg Brewery by Nancy Fitch.
Describe your Open AIR Residency experience.
As I am from Missoula and we have been spending time at our cabin near Pburg for years, initially, I just kept painting my usual haunts with a bit more focus (let’s work on painting skies and water). About halfway through, I spent a lot more time in Pburg, photographing its many funky and creative dwellings. I recognized that the brewery was the town watering hole and painted it. As it was tourist season, I spent time hanging out on Main Street, photographing and talking to folks. While a generalization, it’s clear people in Pburg have sacrificed a lot to stay here in terms of employment opportunities, culture, commerce, etc. Many people feel strongly that their quality of life is much better in this small but vibrant community. People all know each other.
A painting of downtown Philipsburg by Nancy Fitch.
What are you up to now (post Open AIR)?
Since completing my residency, I am painting more people but I still love painting nature.
Watch Nancy talk about her artwork!
Visit Nancy’s Instagram to learn more!
