Montana's Charlie Russell Symposium, June 18-20, 2015

Looking for some fabulous summer professional development? Join us for Montana's Charlie Russell: 21st Century Perspectives on the Cowboy Artist, a three-day symposium in Helena, June 18-20, 2015.

We'll kick the symposium off with an educator workshop on Thursday, June 18, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., where art educator Sondra Hines, Russell scholar Kirby Lambert, and MHS program specialist Deb Mitchell will introduce a series of new Russell lesson plans and accompanying resources. Attendees will learn about Visual Thinking Strategies and have the opportunity to practice the technique in the Mackay Gallery of Western Art. They'll also explore Russell’s art by creating their own, and try out some Russell-related lesson plans that align to the Common Core. Attendees will leave with a Russell packet that includes prints, PowerPoints, and grade-specific art, ELA, and social studies themed lesson plans.

You can choose to attend just the Thursday educator workshop or to stay for the entire symposium, which will bring together Russell experts from around the country, including 

• Brian Dippie (author of Word Painter, Looking at Russell, and Charlie Russell Roundup)
• Sarah Burt and Kathryn Kramer (C.M. Russell Museum, Great Falls)
• Byron Price (C. M. Russell Center, University of Oklahoma)
• Joan Carpenter Troccoli (author of The Masterworks of C. M. Russell)
• Larry Len Peterson (author of Charles M. Russell: Photographing the Legend)
• Jodie Utter (Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth, TX) and
• Jennifer Bottomly-O'looney and Kirby Lambert (authors of the Montana Historical Society Press's new book, Montana's Charlie Russell).  

Workshop attendees will earn 5 OPI Renewal Units. Attend the entire conference to earn up to 18 OPI Renewal Units.

The Thursday workshop (including lunch) is free. The remainder of the conference is also free (except for meals).

Find the full schedule and register here. Attendees must register as space is limited.

To facilitate educator attendance, the Montana Historical Society is offering a limited number of scholarships. All teachers can apply for the meals scholarship, which will cover the cost of the Thursday night reception, Friday lunch (at which Mary Jane Bradbury will be presenting "Kid Gloves and Brass Knuckles: The Life of Nancy Cooper Russell") and Friday banquet (at which keynote speaker Brian Dippie will be presenting "Charles M. Russell 100 Years Ago").

If you are traveling more than 50 miles to attend the conference, you can also apply for a $200 travel scholarship to help cover your travel expenses.Learn more about the educator scholarships here.

Questions? Email Kirby Lambert at klambert@mt.gov.