Summer Gift Guide at Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art’s Gift Shop

Summer is here, and with it comes a variety of gift-giving occasions. Do you have a birthday, bridal shower, wedding, baby shower, summer college graduation, anniversary, off-to-college party, or other celebration coming up in your life? Need some inspiration for something unique? Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art (The Square) has a treasure trove of local and regional Montana artwork, handmade jewelry, pottery, apparel, and so much more. We’ve collected a roundup of just a few artisan items by the over 65 Great Falls and Montana artists selling their work in the Gift Shop at The Square. 

The Square’s Gift Shop is open any time the museum is open: Tuesdays 10am -9pm; Wednesday-Friday 10am – 5pm; and Saturdays 10am – 3pm. 

There are so many more wonderful artists in the Gift Shop than we can fit in this article, but here are just a few: 

Gifts for the Nature-Lover: 

The Square’s Gift Shop artists create Montana-inspired greeting cards, paintings, photographs, and prints depicting our beautiful state’s flora and fauna. 

Julie Orso (Great Falls, MT) is a watercolor artist who takes inspiration from the splendor of landscapes and the quiet beauty of flowers and small creatures. She has original watercolor bookmarks (you can even frame them) and greeting cards with faithful reproductions of her larger paintings. Send a card for any occasion, even “just thinking of you.” 

Christine Martin (Butte, MT) is a printmaker with a wide variety of linocut prints featuring your favorite Montana animals. These clean, black and white designs would pop in any home, or even liven up a temporary home like a college dorm or RV!

Sue Supola (Great Falls, MT) creates beautiful ink paintings on silk. These are hung using a magnetic frame system that can be easily moved from room to room (outdoor use not advised). These are affordable and versatile for the seasonal decorator! 

John Lee (Great Falls, MT) is a local photographer who captures the beauty of both urban and rural landscapes in the Great Falls area. He sells matted photo prints with a variety of subjects.

Gifts for the Outdoorsperson: 

These gifts are great for your friend who spends every weekend hiking, fishing, camping, or boating around our great state.

Laura Palmer (Missoula, MT) designs these breathable and unique trucker hats with embroidered medallions in different images. Great to wear on the trail or on the river!

The Spacement Artist Collective (Great Falls, MT) designs and screenprints (in-house) these t-shirts in their studio in the basement of the Columbus Center in Great Falls. Wear one of these and be the coolest person at the backyard bbq.

Bring the great outdoors into your great indoors with these hand forged metal creations by Jeff Smith (Black Eagle, MT).

After a long day on the mountain, rejuvenate and pamper your skin with handmade tallow-based skincare products by Ancestral Botanicals (Great Falls, MT).

Gifts for the Fashionista: 

The Square has a large assortment of jewelry for any budget in a variety of styles. Looking for something geometric? Looking for something made with natural materials? You’ve come to the right place. 

Looking for hand-hammered copper, metal, wood, or beaded earrings? Smith River Canyon Designs (Great Falls, MT) has styles that accent both casual and formal outfits. 

Jessie Lesofski (Pendroy, MT) uses semi-precious stones and silversmithing in her earrings and pendants. She also has a collection of Montana-themed pins and stamped earrings. 

Virginia Niccolucci (Helena, MT)’s earrings and rings are created using copper and glass enamel powder. 

Mark Amundson’s (Great Falls, MT) earrings and pendants highlight the beautiful agates from our area and beyond. 

Nona Jane Kendall (Great Falls, MT) and Mimi Wolf (Great Falls, MT) both combine original and antique beads from around the world to create statement necklaces that will jazz up your outfit! 

Coffee, Tea, and Pottery!: 

Did you know: Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art has a robust ceramics program? Many of the artists with pottery inside the Gift Shop at The Square created their mugs, bowls, plates, and vases downstairs in the Education Department. You’re sure to find a ceramic creation that will fit your aesthetic and kitchen needs. (Real mug collectors know that the “handfeel” of a mug handle is one of the most important parts of picking out a mug)! 

The Gift Shop has so many amazing potters, but here are just a few of the Great Falls-based ones: Kay Feist, Ken Kohoutek, Cindy Eve, Jaymi Jones, Eliza Weber, Dan Price, Linda Walters, Tammy Nathe, Rob Kellenbeck, Dino Pfaff, Jake Duty, Brent Viste, and Liisa Nelson. 

…and so much more art! 

Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art’s Gift Shop is a great place to start when looking for the perfect gift. The best part? Your purchase directly supports both the artists and the museum, since artist keep 70% of their sales and the museum keeps 30%. Shopping local puts dollars back into the hands of local artists, who might even be your own neighbor! 

Unique and beautiful handmade art and supporting local artists—it’s a win-win!