The 235 Show: Celebrating Our Art Community

December 5th, 2024

Eight years ago, we relocated our small custom frame shop and gallery from nearby Bigfork, Montana to downtown Whitefish. After nearly twenty years in business, this new space gave us a much needed opportunity for growth (we more than tripled our wall space!). To celebrate our move to Whitefish, we began an annual tradition hosting a holiday miniatures show. The 235 Smaller Works Show has since become the highlight of our calendar, and this year features over 100 pieces of art with only one common factor–each piece must measure under 235 square inches in size, a nod to our gallery address, 235 Central Avenue.

A gallery with white walls and warm wood flooring with many small pieces of artwork hung along the wall. A holiday garland decorates a ledge above the artwork and sculptures stand on pedestals around the room where people mingle.

We are passionate about our diverse representation of both emerging artists and collected masters, and pride ourselves on being a space for lifelong collectors as well as first-time buyers. The 235 Smaller Works Show is no exception! The show includes a diverse range of artwork, showcasing artists from throughout the U.S. and Canada, including local favorites Rob Akey, Richie Carter, Francesca Droll, Gini Ogle, John Isaiah Pepion, Roger Rink, Ken Yarus, and Donald Yatomi.

New to the show this year is Helena-based landscape painter Josh Elliott. He describes his work as a celebration of nature’s beauty, honoring elements of realism while embracing his own interpretive, personal rendering. His submissions for this year’s 235 Smaller Works Show feature iconic Glacier National Park views of St. Mary Lake and Going to the Sun Mountain. “Glacier is my favorite place to paint,” he said, “and it’s my hope that viewers will see my reverence for it in these paintings.”

An oil painting of mountains receding into the distance along a glacial blue lake.

St. Mary Afternoon by Josh Elliott

An oil painting with a boulder field shadowed in the foreground and a prominent mountain peak rising into the sky with small patches of snow.

Icon, Going to the Sun Mountain by Josh Elliott

A vibrant oil painting of a purple and orange sunset light up clouds, a distant mountain range, and water in the foreground.

St. Mary Afternoon by Josh Elliott

A mixed media painting with soft greens, blues, and yellows in various lines and shapes. In the foreground, a woman astride a white horse faces away from the viewer, raising her hat while the horse lowers its neck.

Icon, Going to the Sun Mountain by Josh Elliott

Also new to the show this year is Gregory Block, a rising star in the representational art world. His piece, Part of this Complete Breakfast, depicts a half-empty box of assorted donuts. A soft, almost reverent light mingles with a—literally—delicious exploration of color and texture. When asked about the inspiration behind his painting, he replied, “There was the California Gold Rush of 1848, the Montana Gold Rush of 1862, then the Klondike Gold Rush of 1896. But what’s truly responsible for the Great American Expansion? The Sugar Rush! Dig in, it’s the true currency of the realm!”

What’s truly responsible for the Great American Expansion? The Sugar Rush!

A realistic oil painting of five colorful donuts in an open donut box, viewed from above.

Part of This Complete Breakfast by Gregory Block

The 235 Smaller Works Show runs from December 13th through January 17th with an opening reception on Friday, December 13th from 5pm–8pm. The opening is in conjunction with the Whitefish Christmas Stroll, a long-standing community tradition featuring holiday music, photos with Santa, caroling, a tree lighting ceremony, street artisans, and food vendors!

Interested in upcoming shows at FoR Fine Art?