Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art

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Established	1977
Location	1400 First Avenue North, Great Falls, Montana, U.S.
Type	Art museum
Visitors	29,000 (2010)

The Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art (often called PGSMoA) is an art museum in Great Falls, Montana, USA. It is located at 1400 First Avenue North. The building was first built in 1896 as the city's first high school. This was called Great Falls High School.

Later, in 1931, the high school moved to a new building. The old building then became Paris Gibson Junior High School. In 1975, the junior high also moved out. Two years later, in 1977, the Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art was created and took over the building. It is one of six museums in Great Falls. The building has been on the National Register of Historic Places since September 1976.

The museum mainly shows modern art by artists from the local area. Its collection includes folk art, abstract art, postmodern art, and useful art like jewelry. Besides two floors of art galleries, the museum also has an outdoor sculpture garden.

It is important not to confuse this building with another school that was also called Great Falls Central High School. That was a Catholic school that opened in 1950. It closed in 1973, and the public school system bought its building in 1975. That building housed Paris Gibson Junior High School (and later Middle School) from 1976 to 2005. Today, it is home to the Paris Gibson Education Center, which is an alternative high school.

The First Great Falls High School Building

Building the School

Great Falls was started in 1883 by a businessman named Paris Gibson. He planned the city on the south side of the river. The city officially became a town in 1888. By 1890, the city was growing fast. The Black Eagle Dam was built, a large meat packing industry started, a railway arrived, and a silver factory was built. The city's public school system began in 1886. The first school, the Whittier Building, opened that year.

Great Falls High School started in the fall of 1890. Four teenage girls who had just moved to the city wanted to go to high school. They were the first students and met in a classroom at the Whittier Building. By September 1892, Great Falls High School was its own school with 23 students and its own classes.

The original Great Falls High School Building (pictured) was built in 1896.

In 1896, the Great Falls Public Schools built the first Great Falls High School building. Voters had agreed in 1893 to sell bonds (like loans) to pay for the school. However, a money crisis in 1893 delayed the building. A design by local architect William White was chosen.

About the Old High School Building

William White's design was in the Romanesque Revival style. It was a three-story building with a small round center, two rectangular parts, and a tall clock tower. Building started in 1894 at 1400 First Avenue North. The high school was made of gray sandstone from nearby quarries. The walls were very thick, up to 5 feet (1.5 m) at the bottom. They were built 16 feet (4.9 m) deep into the ground on solid rock. To make the ground firm, a herd of sheep was even walked around the building 100 times! Wood for the inside, roof, and stairs came from huge trees in the Rocky Mountains.

The finished building had a tin mansard roof that looked like tile. Inside, the wood was solid oak. All rooms had 3-foot (0.91 m) high wood panels on the walls. The doors were very thick, and fancy carved designs were above each door. Beautiful brass doorknobs and hinges were used. Heat came from cast iron radiators with delicate covers. The building cost $110,000 to build and was finished in 1896. It was designed for 500 students and had 14 classrooms, science labs, an art studio, and a hall for 400 people.

In 1913, a brick addition was built on the south side of the high school. It cost $200,000. The heating system was moved to the space between the main building and this new part. A story began that the old boiler room became a swimming pool where a student drowned. However, investigations showed that a student named Grant Mill did drown in 1915, but it was in the Missouri River, not a pool in the school. Still, some people have reported strange things, like ghostly radio music, in the basement.

The tall clock tower was removed in 1916 because its heavy weight was causing problems for the building. In 1917, a janitor and his family were allowed to live in an apartment built in the attic.

Paris Gibson Junior High School Years

Great Falls High School moved to a new building in 1931. Voters had approved money for a new high school in 1928. Construction on the new $1 million building began in 1928.

From 1930 to 1975, the old Great Falls High School building was home to Paris Gibson Junior High School. The north entrance was closed in the 1940s because the front steps were sinking. The driveway there was removed in the 1970s and replaced with grass. The south entrance became the main one after 1940. In the late 1960s, a student climbed onto the elevator to the roof. He touched a power line and got a severe electric shock, but he survived. Another accident happened when a student tried to do chin-ups on a water pipe in the gym. The pipe broke, flooding the gym.

The junior high school moved out in June 1975 to a new building. This new building was originally a Catholic high school called Great Falls Central High School, built in 1950. It closed in 1973 because fewer students were enrolling and costs were rising. The Great Falls Public Schools bought this building in 1975. Paris Gibson Junior High moved there in 1976.

The former Great Falls Central High School building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in September 1976.

Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art Today

How the Museum Started

After Paris Gibson Junior High School left the old high school building in 1975, many people worried it would be torn down. The building was old and needed many repairs. It sat empty for a year, and vandalism and weather caused more damage. A group of people who cared about history and art quickly formed to save the building. Great Falls already had the C. M. Russell Museum Complex for Western art, but no museum for modern art.

Leaders from the Junior League in Great Falls, Jean Warden Dybdal and Pam Marlen, led the effort to save the building. They wanted to create a community cultural center, which later became the museum idea. They convinced the Great Falls Public Schools and Cascade County to share ownership of the building. The county agreed to help pay for renovations and running costs. The museum agreed to become financially independent over time. The school system leased the building to the museum for just $1 a year. The museum also promised to teach students and the public about art.

Paris Gibson, the museum's namesake.

The Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art (PGSMA) officially became a nonprofit organization in 1976. It was named after Paris Gibson, the city's founder. The museum faced two main challenges: the old building was not good for storing art, and the museum had no art collection yet. Volunteers did most of the renovation work. Some original parts, like brass doorknobs and carved door frames, were kept. However, the old wood panels and blackboards were covered with drywall to protect them and create more display space. The museum quickly started getting art, mostly through donations. In late 1976, it received 243 sculptures by Lee Steen, a famous folk artist.

Just before the museum opened, part of the building was blown up! This was planned by the makers of the movie Telefon. City officials agreed that the 1913 brick addition, which was not historic, should be removed. The movie producers got permission to film the demolition, which involved a prop Jeep hitting the building and causing an explosion. This saved the city money. The explosives were set up so the blast went away from the historic main building, which was not damaged. However, the explosion was so strong that it threw flaming pieces onto nearby homes, causing some damage.

The museum opened its doors in 1977. In its early years, it built its art collection and improved its space. It wanted to show modern art and also have classrooms for lessons, art-making, and performances. Because the collection was small at first, the museum rented space to other groups like the Cascade County Historical Society. In 1988, the museum held one of the first art shows for actor Robert De Niro's artwork.

The 1990s at the Museum

The museum started an outdoor sculpture garden in 1993. The first sculpture, "Gibson Gateway" by Robert Harrison, was placed there. It looks like an archway made of brick. The second piece, "Prairie Tops" by Richard Swanson, was added in 2001. It is a yellow aluminum sculpture. In 2002, the museum asked art teacher Lisa Easton to create a new work called "Two Sisters." This sculpture uses 1,500 pounds (680 kg) of shonkinite rock. Two more sculptures were added in 2012.

Starting in 1995, the museum began a big fundraising effort called the "Centennial Campaign." They wanted to raise $1.5 million for major building improvements and to start a fund for the future. They raised even more than their goal by 1999. The money allowed the museum to remove the grass from its north entrance and put back a historic circular driveway. A special sidewalk with the names of major donors was also added. All the old, leaky windows were replaced. The north steps were fixed, the heating and cooling system was repaired, and the roof was mended. The exhibit spaces were updated, and the old oak wood inside was restored. The building's antique lights were fixed, making the art easier to see. New wooden doors were installed. The new driveway and stairs opened in September 1999. This restoration work won several awards.

The museum also improved its outdoor areas. The Pam Marlen Memorial Garden was restored with new plants. A new children's playground was built near the south entrance.

In 1999, the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts gave the museum $30,000. This money helped support an exhibit of modern Native American art called "Material Culture: Innovation in Native Art."

The 2000s at the Museum

The year 2000 brought many changes. The Cascade County Historical Society moved out, giving the museum much more space. However, the museum's director, Bonnie Laing-Malcomson, left in August 2000. The museum then received a $138,000 grant to remodel the empty space. This expanded the museum's exhibit area from 1,800 square feet (170 m²) to 3,800 square feet (350 m²). Three new galleries were planned:

• Northwest Contemporary Art Gallery
• Contemporary Outsider Art Gallery (for Lee Steen's works)
• Photography Gallery

The grant also paid for an Educational Resource Room and another gallery. These new spaces opened in August 2001.

In 2003, Lynne Spriggs became the new executive director. This was a difficult time for the museum financially. The county reduced the museum's maintenance budget. Because of these budget cuts, the museum started charging an admission fee of $2 in June 2003 for the first time. Children under 12 could still enter for free. The museum also cut its operating costs and staff training. In 2004, the museum started a new membership drive to raise more money.

The museum received two grants in 2004 that helped with its money problems. One was a $100,000 grant for its future fund. The other was $70,815 to expand its community outreach programs.

In January 2006, Lynne Spriggs resigned. Kathy Lear became the new executive director in September 2006. She had worked at the museum before and helped raise a lot of money. The museum's financial situation improved after 2006. A company called Pacific Steel & Recycling donated money, allowing the museum to stop charging its $5 admission fee for a year. This donation was renewed in 2007 and 2008. In 2007, the museum received a grant to add Braille and large-print signs to make the museum more accessible for people with disabilities. Attendance at the museum increased significantly during this time.

The 2010s at the Museum

The museum continued to receive important donations in the early 2010s. A $90,000 grant in 2009 helped the museum hire someone to organize and catalog its art collection online. When Pacific Steel & Recycling stopped its donation in 2009, Farmers Union Insurance stepped in to keep the museum admission-free in 2010 and 2011. A $2,000 grant in 2011 funded educational workshops for high school students.

The museum saw some staff changes in 2011 and 2012. The curator, Bob Durden, resigned in 2011, and Laura Cotton was hired as his replacement in 2012. Executive Director Kathy Lear also resigned in April 2012. Tracy Houck became the new executive director in November 2012. In December 2012, the museum faced a big problem when one of its two old boilers broke down. The museum applied for an emergency grant to fix it.

About the Museum Today

The Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art is located in a Romanesque Revival building made of gray sandstone. The museum has three floors, a basement, and an attic.

There are seven galleries on the first and second floors where paintings, sculptures, and other art are displayed. A visitor information area is on the first floor. The second floor also has classrooms for courses, performances, and other educational activities. More classrooms are in the basement.

The museum's collection focuses on modern art by artists from Montana, the western United States, and western Canada. In 2000, the museum had 500 pieces of art. Because the building does not have a freight elevator, the museum cannot display very large or heavy artworks.

The classrooms at the museum are mainly used for educational programs. The museum tries to offer unique programs that are different from those at other local museums. Two special programs are:

• Vision, Strength and Access Program: This program helps young people who are at risk, people with mental or physical challenges, and senior citizens. It gives them a chance to create art in a supportive environment.
• After School Program: This program is for children from kindergarten through 12th grade. It provides a safe place for kids to be creative and develop important thinking skills. Both programs are free.

The museum also allows its classrooms to be used for community events and private gatherings.

The museum has a small outdoor sculpture garden and the Pam Marlen Memorial Garden, which has seating for outdoor meals. Besides art galleries and classrooms, the museum also has a gift shop and spaces that can be rented for special events.

The museum had about 29,000 visitors in 2010. Since 1977, the museum has hosted a popular event in mid-November called Christmas Collection. This three-day event features arts and crafts from local artists. It is the largest arts and crafts show in the city. Tickets are required, and the event raises a lot of money for the museum each year. Since 1998, the museum has also held an annual art auction and benefit dinner in February.

The museum also hosts art shows. The most important one is Art Equinox, which started in 1985 and happens every two years. This show invites modern artists from 12 Western U.S. states to submit their recent work to be displayed at the museum.

How the Museum is Run

The museum is managed by a board of 14 directors. These directors choose a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer from among themselves.

The museum has a small staff. This includes six full-time staff members (like the Executive Director, Curator of Art, and Curator of Education) and four part-time staff.

Past Leaders of the Museum

Here is a list of some of the past Executive Directors of the Paris Gibson Museum of Art:

• Elezabeth Carpenter Rak (1977-1980)
• Penelope Lucas (1984 to 1986)
• Vickie Everson (1986 to 1991)
• Elizabeth Kennedy (1991 to 1993)
• Donalee Labar (Interim 1993 to 1994)
• Bonnie Laing-Malcomson (1994 to 2000)
• Jessica Hunter (interim, 2000 to 2003)
• Lynne Spriggs (2003 to 2006)
• Jessica Hunter Larsen (interim, 2006)
• Kathy Lear (2006 to 2012)
• Tracy Houck (2012 to 2019)
• Sarah Justice (2020 to 2024)
• Nicole Maria Evans (Interim 2024 to ongoing)

Past Curators of Art

Here are some of the past Curators of Collections and Exhibitions:

• Robert Gabriel (dates undefined)
• Mark Leach (1984 to 1986)
• Cathryn Mallory (1986 to 1991)
• Ruth Franklin and Nona Jane Van Dyke (interim, 1991 to 1992)
• Barbara Racker (1992 to 1995)
• Jessica Hunter Larson (1999 to 2006)
• Daniel Biehl (interim, 2007)
• Bob Durden (2007 to 2011)
• Cory Gross (interim, 2011 to 2012)
• Laura Cotton (2012 to 2013)
• Kristi Scott (2014 to 2019)
• Nicole Maria Evans (Chief Curator 2019 to ongoing)

Past Directors of Education

Here are some of the past Directors of Education:

• Marilyn Mathews (1988 to 1989)
• Sue Beattie (interim, 1989 to 1990)
• Steve Glueckert (1990 to 1991)
• Sue Beattie (interim, 1991 to 1992)
• Linda Green (1992)
• Sally Newhall (1992 to 1996)
• Susan Thomas (1996 to 2004)
• Laura Thompson (2004 to 2025)
• Jenny Yoneji (interim 2025)
• Lisa Gross (interim 2006 to 2008, hired 2008 to 2010)
• Rachel Kaiser (2010 to ?)
• Jeff Kratnik (2014 to 2017)
• Sarah Justice (2017 to 2019)
• William Harning (2020 to 2021)
• Ellie Weber (2021 to 2024)
• Liz Metzger Slot (2024 to ongoing)