In the beginning…
In 1998, Derek left his hometown of Missoula, Montana and headed north to Bigfork intending to open a small frame shop. Twenty-five years later, in addition to offering the finest custom picture framing available anywhere, FoR Fine Art has become one of the premier fine art galleries in the west, with two locations in Montana and one in Tucson, Arizona.
In February 2017 Derek relocated the original gallery from Bigfork to a historic building on Central Avenue in the heart of the Old Town District in Whitefish, 40 minutes north of the old location. The Whitefish location quadrupled the wall space in a series of rooms allowing for both expansive vistas and intimate corners to showcase the artwork collection. FoR Fine Art shows almost exclusively original works created by both emerging and established artists with a connection to the wild places surrounding the galleries; mediums include paint, glass, bronze, photography and wood, and every artist FoR shows has representation because one or more of the team has had a visceral reaction to their creations.
In 2021 FoR reopened in Bigfork in the historic Kootenai Galleries building on Electric Avenue, and later that same year the Tucson gallery opened in the Catalina Foothills Art District. The framing aspect of the gallery continues to thrive in the Montana locations with an ever-expanding selection of unique framing materials, an innovative flair for design, and the knowledge to best preserve and protect every artwork or artifact. The galleries also feature a carefully-curated collection of secondary market pieces – works that have come from private holdings and are available to enrich your personal collection and feed your soul. These are primarily works by significant artists from the Old and New West – from Charlie Russell to Russell Chatham, this ever-changing exhibit is always worth a visit.
Derek Vandeberg – Founder, President, Master Framer
In 1993, Derek Vandeberg walked into a gallery in Missoula, Montana to buy a wedding present for a friend and walked out with a job as a picture framer. Ten years as a bicycle mechanic and apprentice framebuilder gave Derek the ability to construct nearly anything and developed in him an abiding love for creating things. 30 years later, after 25 years at the helm of FoR Fine Art, Derek still spends every workday in one of the galleries and can still be found on occasion in the back designing or building picture frames. While his evolution as a gallery owner has been a fluid journey, one facet has always remained a constant – Derek is a passionate advocate for the artists he represents. FoR Fine Art represent artists and displays their work because Derek realizes the vision and understands the message that artist is working to convey; he endeavors to share that with both ardent collectors and casual visitors to the gallery. When he’s not in the gallery Derek can be found on a bicycle or in a kayak, exploring Glacier National Park and the wild places in Montana with his wife, Elizabeth and their rescue dog Kootenay. Derek is an avid reader and an accomplished cook specializing in the Italian recipes from his mother’s heritage, and one day soon he’ll build himself another bicycle, time allowing.
Elizabeth Vandeberg
Elizabeth has been helping behind the scenes at Frame of Reference for quite some time, but “officially” joined the Frame of Reference team in the summer of 2018. With a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Montana and nearly a decade in the web industry as a Project Manager, Elizabeth brings a unique set of skills to the team. She focuses on keeping the gallery organized and does all things tech related.
When Elizabeth is not in the gallery, she is passionate about being outside! She recently fell in love with mountain biking and continues to enjoy hiking, kayaking, cycling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and camping. She is always scheming about a new adventure with her husband Derek and their beloved trash panda, Kootenay.
Tula Thompson
Growing up in Greensboro N.C., Tula loved her time at the barn with her horse and competing, successfully, in hunter jumper competitions across the south. Little did she know that her annual family visits to Montana to see her mother’s relatives in Sydney, or later her cousins in Seeley Lake, eventually would lead her to a home on the Swan River outside Bigfork, MT. Tula is married, with three daughters, four grandsons, three horses and an adopted mammoth donkey, Darla. With her husband Michel, she splits time between their home in northwest Montana and several winter months in Tucson, AZ, where they enjoy hiking, horseback riding and travel. Tula’s entrepreneurial experience began in her early 20’s in North Carolina, buying, selling and trading antique furniture, art and collectibles. Later, in the early 1980’s, Tula partnered with her parents in the metal building insulation business. Over the next 20+ years, from the headquarters in Kansas City, she expanded the operations to 11 manufacturing facilities across the U.S., and her company became a leading national provider of insulation products. When the family sold the business in 2004, Tula agreed to continue as national sales director, but she also was able to relocate to the site of her childhood visits and fond memories, northwest Montana. She and her husband soon developed an appreciation for western fine art, honed by annual treks to the Charlie Russell auction in Great Falls. While traveling to Kenya in 2012, Tula made a personal commitment to support a local village (Mbitini) in fostering better living conditions and educational opportunities, particularly for women and children. She returns to Kenya every other year to support clean water, library, and medical initiatives. Most recently Tula has acquired a minority interest in Frame of Reference, where she hopes to share her enthusiasm for western art. Combining her partner’s history in the industry, his technical framing expertise and his relationships and knowledge of contemporary art with her love of classic western fine art, they hope to add a new dimension to the Whitefish and northwest Montana art scene.
Bryce Bennett
With his BFA in Studio Arts with a concentration in Photography from the University of Texas at Arlington, combined with his experience as a photo lab technician, Bryce adds yet another layer of art industry knowledge to our diverse and experienced team. When not at the gallery Bryce tries to spend as much time outside as possible. He attributes his passion for the environment and love for the outdoors not only to being raised in Montana, but also to his own father’s creative drive as a landscape photographer. Keeping in theme with the rest of the FoR team, apart from creative ventures, one of Bryce’s greatest passions is for cycling. Whether it be road/mtb/gravel, there is no discrimination here. To be honest that’s probably why he got hired. (wink) Early to bed, first to shred.
Miriam Genheimer
Miriam first came to Montana to work in the Many Glacier valley, and after three summers spent in the park, she couldn’t help but move to the area. In 2019 she started dog sitting for Tula, and next thing she knew she was the part time sales associate at the gallery! She has been part of the FoR Fine Art team for over two years now, and currently lives in SW Colorado with her partner Austin and her dog Ramen. Miriam is a violinist and loves biking, Formula 1, and homemade pizza — although she spends most of her time throwing the ball for Ramen.
Kim Crawford
Kim joined the team after coming in to purchase art and asking if we needed help a few days a week. Originally from Michigan, she then went for warmer climates and lived in Florida and Southern California. She spent a decade soaking up diverse cultures while living in Tokyo, Shanghai, and Singapore. Kim’s decision to forego big cities and try out the small-town life in Northwestern Montana has been a success! She’s open to almost every new activity and has been enjoying hiking, mountain biking, and is the proud new owner of a stand up paddleboard. Kim lives in Whitefish with her two quirky dogs Mitsu and Cosmo.
Keith Kleber
Keith landed in Tucson in his mid-twenties as a “snowbird,” and forty years later the Sonoran desert is still home. When not helping clients at the gallery, he enjoys cycling, hiking desert trails, or relaxing with a cup of tea on his porch. Prior to joining the team, Keith owned an eclectic trading post in the city for 25 years and managed a gallery specializing in antique Native American artwork. With a strong connection to the region and the greater Southwest, he is a wealth of knowledge and loves to share tidbits on what to explore!
Tracy Lundy
Tracy has had entirely too many experiences and escapades to list them all. Here is a brief summary: Most fun was being a tour guide at Universal Studios Tour, Hollywood, Ca. Most rewarding was being a Middle and High School Art Teacher for thirteen years. Travel several years ago to Paris and Italy were, of course, amazing adventures for this art teacher. BEST JOB EVER is being a Mom of two amazing adults and mother-in-law to two incredible spouses. Current chapter adventures –Worked with the Cawdrey family at Nancy Cawdrey Gallery/Cawdrey Gallery before she began working with the lovely group at FoR Fine Art in Whitefish and Bigfork, MT. Tracy loves to bike ride (for fun – not yellow jerseys), ski, and can often be found in a kayak on the Swan. She is an artist, working in watercolors, pen & ink, acrylic, printmaking, and bookmaking.
Nancy Scott-Rogers
After a 37 year career in the health care industry, Nancy took advantage of living in the Sonoma County Wine Country and worked in the wine business in Healdsburg CA. During a visit to Tucson in 2017, Nancy fell in love with the Sonoran Desert and a year later bought a house and made the move to a neighborhood that is just up the road from the Tucson gallery! Attending a First Thursday Art Walk in 2021 lead to working with FoR Fine Art, where Nancy enjoys interacting with locals and out-of-town visitors and learning about all the artists. Nancy’s passion is bareboat sailing and Africa. She has done five walking safaris in Kenya, one in India, climbed Mt. Kenya, taken a Camel Safari and will be doing a 140 mile walk in Sept. 2023.
Jerdy Sterling
Jerdy’s career path has been an eclectic one, ranging from dental office management to small business ownership to education! She grew up in Colorado and spent twelve years in Green Bay, Wisconsin before moving to the Palm Springs area where she worked for California State University’s OLLI program which provides classes for lifelong learners in art, history and the humanities! After retiring from California State University in 2021, Jerdy made the move to Tucson. She is an art lover and lifelong learner who embraces friendship and adventure along the way!
Karen Kimball
After spending 30 years working in Los Angeles, Karen and her husband, Bob, retired and moved to Montana, where they had been vacationing for twenty years. They built a new home and then had one last big adventure by traveling to Bosnia in 1999 and working for the US State Department and the United Nations in the war torn country of former Yugoslavia. During their year abroad, they traveled extensively and eventually returned to Montana, where they pursued their interests of hiking, skiing, fishing and traveling. Karen became involved in Special Olympics Montana and recruited volunteers for the Special Olympics Montana Winter Games, held annually in Whitefish, for twenty years. She later volunteered at Kalispell Regional Hospital and eventually approached Derek about being part of the gallery team. Karen is a life long lover of art and enjoys the entire gallery team and relishes the opportunity to meet new artists. She continues to pursue her passions of hiking and traveling.
