Resurrecting the Sweetpea Festival, 1978

Lottery entry opens January 9 and closes January 16. Regular registration opens January 15.
Dates: October 28, 2024
Meets: M from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
 Location: Bozeman, MT - Hope Lutheran Church
Cost:  $0.00

Sorry, the signup deadline has passed.

Date Day Time
10/28/2024Monday3 PM to 5 PM

Please note: This course program requires membership in a 2024-2025 OLLI at MSU Membership

Description

Forty-six years ago, a group of friends believed Bozeman should have an arts festival, and they launched the Sweetpea Festival. Today, the festival is a three-day celebration featuring a parade, music of all genres, dance troupe and local theatre performances, workshops, family-friendly entertainment and activities, a flower show, and over 100 arts and crafts vendors.

Program Takeaways

  • History of the planning and production of what has become, for many, a treasured summer event in Bozeman.
  • Problems and solutions, things that worked and didn't work.
  • How to run an all-volunteer effort.
Fee:  $0.00

Bozeman, MT - Hope Lutheran Church

2152 Graf St
Bozeman, MT 59718
View the location on a map.

Beverly and George Mattson

Beverly Mattson grew up in Culbertson, Montana, and George Mattson in Yellowstone Park. They met at Montana State College in Bozeman, now known as Montana State University. She studied art, and he studied architecture. When they first married, they built a house and lived in Okinawa during his service in the Navy. He practiced architecture for seven years in San Francisco and 38 years in Bozeman. Beverly operated an antique store and participated in community arts endeavors. Together, they have completed several extensive home renovations.

Eileen Tenney

Spontaneity and Imagination are almost always part of Eileen's work. She finds not knowing what she will put on the paper or canvas the most rewarding part of the process. After many years of choosing to work exclusively with clay, she added drawing, painting and collage to her repertoire. Eileen is one of eight who founded the still-popular Sweet Pea Festival of the Arts. She also wrote and illustrated a book for children titled Amelia Darehart, The Most Daring Snail of Her Time. She is writing a book about her interconnection with acclaimed sculptor Edmonia Lewis, Samuel Lewis and the Samuel Lewis House. Eileen has a B.S. in elementary education and enjoyed teaching uninhibited, spirited young children during her career. She later received an M.S. in interdisciplinary arts, which includes nontechnical visual art, creative writing, music, drama and dance. She believes creativity has the power to transform our lives. Life is a journey of discovery and self-expression.