Flathead River in Paint Auction a Success!

painting by Mark Ogle for “Flathead River in Paint” auction

The Flathead River in Paint event and auction raised over $18,000 from the sale of 21 paintings completed by 13 artists in “plein air” on conserved lands along the Flathead River and north shore of Flathead Lake. Half of these proceeds goes to the artists and half to the Owen Sowerwine project.

Special thanks to the artists and to everyone who participated in this fun event!

The funds will help purchase a conservation easement on the Owen Sowerwine property, 442 acres of important bird and wildlife habitat along the Stillwater and Flathead rivers. The cost for the project is $775,000 and partners have until September 2023 to raise the remainder needed.

So far partners have raised almost half of the estimated funds needed. Flathead Land Trust has received funding commitments for $100,000 from the North American Wetland Conservation Act; $125,000 from the Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust; and $75,000 from the Liz Claiborne and Art Ortenberg Foundation through the Heart of the Rockies Initiative for the project. Flathead Land Trust also received an additional $26,700 for Owen Sowerwine from supporters in 2022. The Flathead Lakers Giving Tuesday Campaign raised $16,000 and Flathead Audubon’s End of Year appeal raised $15,500 from members for the projects as well.

Thank you to all who have supported the Owen Sowerwine project by purchasing paintings and making donations!

Donations to support the Owen Sowerwine conservation property can also be made by writing a check to Flathead Land Trust, Flathead Lakers, or Flathead Audubon. Please write note on the check that the donation is for the Owen Sowerwine project. Thank you!