Celebrating Sperry Chalet through Painting

June 22nd, 2022

Local Kalispell, Montana artist Ken Yarus has been exploring and painting Glacier National Park his entire life. So, when he was offered the opportunity to live and paint at Sperry Chalet for two weeks as their resident artist, it was an easy yes. As Ken describes it, “I was devastated when I read the news that the chalet was lost in the Sprague Fire back in 2017. I thought I missed my chance to ever be a resident artist. After these last few years and the incredible story of the chalet being rebuilt, my dreams of doing the residency were rekindled. I did one of those happy dance air punches when I heard I was chosen for the 2021 season.”

A rock brick and timber building with GNR spelled out in white stone at the top of the eave with a small easel and a plein air painting in the foreground.

Plein air view of Sperry Chalet

The goal of the artist residency at Sperry Chalet is to “share, through art, the experiences of visiting the backcountry of Glacier National Park; the beauty, emotion, and intrinsic value of wilderness,” as stated on their website. This resonated poignantly with Ken, who uses his career as an artist as a tool for amplifying and supporting conservation efforts. His 2021 Sperry Chalet Artist Residency culminated on July 6th, 2022 at FoR Fine Art in Whitefish. The evening included an artist talk and an unveiling of the paintings he created throughout the residency, with portions of the proceeds supporting the Glacier Conservancy.

A small stone building stands in a green and yellow meadow surrounded by mountains and small waterfalls.

Solitary Sanctuary by Ken Yarus

Sperry Chalet, a stone and timber building, stands among mountains and trees.

Undaunted by Ken Yarus

A plein air painting looking down a mountain valley toward a distant lake and a glowing sunset.

A Sperry Sunset by Ken Yarus

A plein air painting of a rocky glacier with a small figure standing and looking towards the slope.

Sperry Glacier by Ken Yarus

When asked about his residency experience, Ken described it as surreal. “It feels like being in a space station but at the same time traveling back in time. The rest of the world seems so small and far below you,” Ken recalls.

Locations I could only dream of painting became an easy day hike. The basin that Sperry Glacier sits in was stunning.

A realism painting with an intense glacial blue lake nestled at the bottom of a spiny mountain with snowfields scattered on its ridges

A Distant Calling by Ken Yarus

A man in a ball cap holding a large framed painting outside a stone and timber building with alpine trees and mountain ridges in the background.

Ken Yarus delivers A Distant Calling to the chalet

Most visitors to the chalet only stay for a night or two, so getting to live at the chalet for two weeks leaves a lasting mark. “The staff and guests really elevated the experience. I loved the camaraderie and teamwork,” Ken says. “The living is rustic and challenging in some ways, but I can honestly say living at the chalet was a dream. As an artist with a love for the mountains, this experience only deepened that fondness. I really felt like I lived in the mountains. . . I recognized the mountain goats, I could tell when the weather was coming in, and I painted the views every day. I took thousands of reference photos and painted over twenty-five pieces. It will be an experience that fuels many more paintings for me in the future.”

Interested in upcoming shows at FoR Fine Art?