Montana Arts Council

Montana Circle of American Masters

The Montana Circle of American Masters is a celebration of our state’s cultural heritage and the incredible artists that keep our traditions alive. Honorees are not just masters of their craft; they are committed to teaching and sharing their artform in their own communities and beyond. So far 53 artists have been inducted into MCAM. These are artists are as unique as the Montana communities they call home, and include leatherworkers, beaders, quilters, instrument makers, woodworkers, blacksmiths, basket makers, and flyrod builders (to name a few).

For 2024-2025, the Montana Arts Council welcomes seven new artists into this illustrious group: Jeffrey Funk, Joanne Hall, Henry Real Bird, Tim Ryan, Ramey Growing Thunder, Mike Ryan, and Olivia “Rose” Williamson. 


 

Montana Circle of American Masters Inductees

Montana Circle of American Masters Inductees
Name Community Artistic Discipline Date of Award
Bread, Jackie Larson Great Falls Beadwork 3/24/2008
Caffrey, Ed Great Falls Metal 3/24/2008
Charlson, Rich Carter  Wood 3/24/2008
Good Strike, Al Chandler Hays Leather 3/24/2008
Clemans, Jessie Polson Fiber 6/9/2008
Ericksen, Judy Great Falls Ceramics / Clay 6/9/2008
Overby, Sylvia Plentywood Textiles / Quilting 6/9/2008
Big Day, Mary Lou Pryor Dollmaking 10/27/2008
Goldthwait, Glen Sheridan Metal / Blacksmithing 10/27/2008
Holt, George Dillon Leather 10/27/2008
Snyder, Elaine Kalispell Leather 10/27/2008
Glick, Randy Great Falls Fiber/Felt 6/22/2009
Jensen, James Kalispell Wood/Carving 6/22/2009
Knudsen, Maude Fort Shaw Fiber/Weaving 6/22/2009
Miller, Wade Ennis Leather / Saddlery 6/22/2009
Popa, Jan Great Falls Textiles / Quilting 6/22/2009
Boyd, Eva Ronan Basketry 1/22/2010
Fast Buffalo Horse, Leonda Browning Quillwork 1/22/2010
Gano, Laurie Melville Tapestry 1/22/2010
Mundt, Randy Belt Metal / Blacksmithing 1/22/2010
Stefely, Steve Helena Leather / Saddlery 1/22/2010
Wald, Nate Lodge Grass Rawhide Braiding 1/22/2010
Norman, Darrell Browning Mixed Media 6/11/2010
Tinsky, Mark Wolf Creek Wood / Pipemaking 6/11/2010
Allison, Bill Roundup Leather / Saddlery 10/1/2010
Archambault, Sr. Donovan Harlem Wood / Pipemaking 10/1/2010
Beattie, Melvin Helena Tanning 10/1/2010
Essen, Deb Victor Fiber / Weaving 10/1/2010
Linder, Annette Archdale Wolf Point Textiles / Quilting 10/1/2010
Dean, Tom Great Falls Wood 12/3/2011
Houston, Cody Ulm Metal Sculpture / Bronze 12/3/2011
Light, Ken Arlee Wood / Traditional Flutes 12/3/2011
Scalese, Diane Big Sandy Hand-Engraving 12/3/2011
McMullen, Gordon Bozeman Wood / Turning 6/1/2012
Brackett, Glenn Butte Bamboo Flyrod Creation 12/10/2012
Knight, Howard Stevensville Leather 12/10/2012
Old Mouse, Jay D Lame Deer Wood / Traditional Flutes 12/10/2012
Real Bird, Birdie Garryowen Beadwork 12/10/2012
Rempp, Jim Missoula Bowmaking 12/10/2012
Enloe, Scott Great Falls Wood / Canoe Building 6/8/2013
Yirsa, Brenda Big Sandy Textiles / Quilting 6/8/2013
Dunkerley, Rick Lincoln Metal 12/6/2013
Stevens, Marilyn Trego Basketry 12/6/2013
Pilgrim, Sarah Wilsall Fiber/Weaving 12/6/2014
Polk, Beverly (Bev.) Wilsall Fiber/Weaving 12/5/2015
Roberts, Daniel E. Belgrade Luthier 6/4/2016
Brogger, Marc Three Forks Saddle Maker 5/5/2023
Gilmore, Glenn Corvallis Blacksmith 5/5/2023
Hill, Terry Great Falls Segmented Woodturner 5/5/2023
Funk, Jeffrey Bigfork Blacksmith 5/5/2025
Growing Thunder, Ramey Poplar Bead Artist and Star Quilter 5/5/2025
Hall, Joanne Clancy Weaver 5/5/2025
Real Bird, Henry Garryowen Cowboy Poet 5/5/2025
Ryan, Mike Helena Bootmaker 5/5/2025
Ryan, Tim POlson Traditional Lifeway and Indigenous Tools 5/5/2025
Williamson, Olivia "Rose" Crow Agency Bead Artist and Fashion Designer 5/5/2025
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