Nancy Seiler at the Hilton Garden Inn

September 9th, 2023

Back in October of 2022, the new owners of the Hilton Garden Inn south of downtown Kalispell contacted us to discuss the installation of artwork in their newly renovated hotel! After an initial meeting, we created a collection that met three criteria:

Artists that the Hilton owners personally respond to

Artwork that coordinates with the new hotel aesthetic

Subjects that are connected to Montana themes

After an initial meeting, the FoR Fine Art team visited the Hilton Garden Inn to view the spaces and plan for the artwork placement—not an easy task without the walls painted or furniture in place! The proposal included work from Amy Brakeman Livezey, Johne Richardson, Nancy Seiler, Robert Spannring, and JC Spock.

Three colorful contemporary drip paintings of aspens are hung on a beige wall in the Hilton Garden Inn in Kalispell.

Aluminum print reproductions of original paintings of native flowers by Nancy Seiler were a fun part of the project! The pieces are colorful and impactful with informative plaques about each species accompanying the art.

A pink and white flower with long thin petals

Bitterroot Lewisia rediviva

Named after explorer Meriwether Lewis, bitterroot is Montana's state flower. Bitterroot can be found in bloom from May through July on dry, exposed slopes, and in sagebrush valleys.

A white flower with three petals, a yellow center, and green leaves.

White Trillium Trillium ovatum

A member of the lily family, white trillium bursts into bloom just as the snow begins to melt on the forest floor. It is also called wake-robin because trilliums and robins show up around the same time.

A group of blue and purple flowers with five oblong petals.

Shining Penstemon Penstemon nitidus

Shining penstemon, also called beardtongue, has glossy leaves that reflect the sun's rays. Blooming from May through July, it is one of the more common penstemon species in Montana.

A red flower with many long small petals that point upward.

Scarlet Paintbrush Castilleja miniata

Blooming in July and August, paintbrush is a partly parasitic plant that draws nutrients and water from neighboring plants. Paintbrush has been used for dye, decoration, and medicine.

A yellow flower with long petals that arc upwards while the center of the flower points downwards.

Glacier Lily Erythronium grandiflorum

Glacier lilies bloom as the snow melts in March, and the blooming follows the snow line as it recedes up the slopes. Also called trout lily and dogtooth violet, it is a beautiful early spring wildflower in Montana.

We truly enjoyed this project and love to see original art with local themes at businesses in the Flathead Valley! Want to learn more about the artwork at the Hilton Garden Inn? We have posts highlighting each artist!