"Lights On" highlights Liberty Place artists

The beginning words of a song written by Liberty Place musicians "Music takes me to a different state of mind. Makes me feel pumped, relaxed, helps me unwind." . . . . echoes the goal of the Liberty Place Musical Therapy Program. Three years ago Musical Therapist David Parker approached Liberty Place concerning a special Musical Therapy Program to which they agreed.

Ann Geiger, the Executive Director, is excited about the program as she has a background in musical therapy also. This program includes the Whitehall and Belgrade facilities. For the first two years the group performed at the Festival of Trees in Bozeman. This is the first year of an Art Reception and Music Program production.

The Art Show was held in the Conference Room at Borden's Hotel. The artists' work was in acrylics, pencil, watercolor, wood work and photography. Paige Flynn had created some very interest Dream Catchers while Linda Wolfe of Belgrade continues her love of crotchet work. She is very active in creating pot holders, hand towels and afghans. She confided she doesn't actually have a color scheme in mind but as the work develops she chooses colors that complement and enhance each other.

An interesting painting of a dark forest scene drew this reporter into a discussion with the artist Janelle Scheitlin of Belgrade. She has been exploring the world of art for about two years and this picture was one of her first in acrylics. She explained starting each level and then painting the next subject over the background. The trees and river, sky and moon were then enhanced with a smattering of stars. Helping these artists learn their craft is Whitehall Art Instructor Barb Lein who is a volunteer.

Stunning wildlife/nature photographs by Mark Roberts were intriguing. Mark explained that photography had been a passion and had become an essential part in his becoming sober and recovering from a car accident. As he attempted not to edit his pictures, he laughingly stated that sometimes he would wait a half hour to get just the right picture – either of a baby owl or an eagle taking off from its perch. He is hoping to start his own business – Eagle Eye Photography – in the near future.

From this colorful, unique and positive showing, the viewer wandered over to the Star Theatre to take part in a presentation by The Liberty Arts Ensemble. This group is led by David Parker and his intern, Michael Steele. Not only do they play the lead guitars but they assist and hold together the ensemble. There were a variety of drums and percussion instruments played by the group. The Keyboard, harmonica and Resonator bells enhanced the vocals by the group. Soloists Shelly Cory, Austin Davis, Todd 'Thor' Privratsky and Josh McKay impressively led selections by Bon Jovi, Pink Floyd and Joe Cocker. The most inspiring selections were those written by the ensemble members with intriguing names of Long Road and Shark Attack Survivors. The standing room only audience from Whitehall, Butte, Missoula and Helena was brought into the lyrics with great enthusiasm.

We were reminded that music is a science – a neuro science and that life is made better by music. This group of musicians and composers and artists certainly demonstrated the power of the Arts. To quote the song "Clear The Mind" by Long Road (ensemble group) – "Sometimes you gotta stop, and clear the mind. Now that's what we've been talkin 'bout. Now let's make it happen in this time we have on the planet earth."