How Can You Help?
Volunteer to paint a mural
Donate unused art to sell
Suggest Fundraising ideas
Invite folks to Lets Make Art June 8-13
Demonstrate your art in Let’s Make Art
Help with Art in The Park with the kids
Submit an entry for a mural
Paint/install miniature art
Help at The Cherry Festival to sell art.
Art4Polson
is dedicated to enhancing the City of Polson through art, fostering vibrant public displays, community outreach, student engagement, and a celebration of indigenous art. We believe in the transformative power of art to inspire, connect, and unite. By actively engaging the community and embracing diverse artistic expressions, we aim to create a more inclusive and culturally enriched environment.
Meet The Team
Natalie Raffield was born in South Africa and now lives in Polson, Montana.
She obtained her Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Digital Arts from Red Rocks Community College.
Natalie Raffield has enjoyed moving around the world with her husband and three children for the last 30 years.
Natalie opened her own gallery in South Africa and donated pastel and acrylic works to wildlife preservation organizations. In Northern Canada, this artist opened a co-op gallery and led classes in dancing, drawing, and painting. She has also organized group shows and events.
Natalie installed a town banner project with over 50 artists that was supported by the local museum. During her painting and drawing lessons, she was able to help miners that had been injured during work.
In Ghana, Natalie introduced art to the local community with teaching painting and photography. Here she produced a documentary highlighting the struggles and commitment of the rangers to elephant survival in Mole National Park. She helped other artists to hold shows and events to aid several charities held in Accra, Ghana.
Natalie was committed to Castle Rock Artist cooperative in Colorado by way of the Membership and Exhibitions Committee Chair.
Now, she lives in Polson, Montana and is working with local artists and organizations to fundraise and install public art projects.
She believes that artists working together will inspire the community to create and appreciate art.
Karla has loved art since she was a young child. She was a teacher and production manager in performing arts for 24 years for the Charlo Valley View and Ronan districts. Karla assisted a recovery program in Libby, Montana for 25 years, using art and music to help patients overcome their struggles. Her passion for art and self expression grew through the use of a variety of media. She experiments with painting, sculpting, photography, special effects makeup, wood working, and even welding. Eventually as time went on she developed more of an interest in painting.
Her style has changed over the years and she enjoys using a bright color palette that you don’t often think of when it comes to nature. She loves painting natural like things in unnatural color palettes that bring an overall lightness to her work.
Karla’s wildlife picture books are available in Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, as well as in State Parks across the Northwest. She self illustrates, writes, and publishes her books, making each a true labor of love.
Karla painted the murals at Boettcher Park and was chosen to have her art on a traffic box here in Polson.
This author also has her children’s books accepted in The Global Library Catalogue.
Scott
Whitehurst
Scott grew up in Up State New York. After receiving a BS in Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1987 worked as an engineer for Lockheed in California and SKF in Sweden. Attended Cornell University and after receiving an MBA in 1992 worked as Vice President of Finance for Hewlett-Packard and later Amgen. A decade of that time was spent as an expatriot to Europe and Asia. Retired in 2015 to Florida and Montana.
Patsi’s fresh, contemporary artwork is inspired by the rich textures and vibrant colors inherent in nature. Her landscapes evoke the serenity and strength of the Rocky Mountain region and are often comprised of snow-capped peaks, golden-leafed aspens, and meandering streams.
Depending on her mood and the location, Patsi paints with acrylic or oil using palette knife, exploring themes of light and reflection. Discovering the palette knife technique was a major turning point in Patsi’s career. Implementing this method transformed not only her work, which enjoyed more commercial success, but also her soul as an artist. Patsi found herself relaxing fully into the process while creating texture and color to bring the viewer into the painting.
Patsi studied at the Academy of Art in San Francisco, earning her BFA in 2001. She also holds an associate degree in commercial art. Her pieces are showcased in galleries throughout Colorado and Montana, and her work has been accepted in juried, member, and individual shows.
Originally from rural Indiana, Patsi moved west after falling in love with the beauty of the mountains. She initially landed outside of Missoula, and has since lived in Colorado and San Francisco. Today, she can be found hiking the high country, having an off-road adventure, or painting on the front porch of her mountain cabin in Montana’s Mission Valley.
Patsi has spearheaded the artists of Polson Studio Tours in Polson.
We want more art
Bring your ideas to life
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you have an idea for public art here in Polson? Maybe you want to improve your business with a mural?
Build a fundraising platform
It starts with a dream, then add many willing volunteers that love art and you build a creative community.
Expand your art experiences.
Contact us if you would like to fundraise, volunteer, create art and improve beautiful Polson.
