In 1998 ...

Derek left his hometown of Missoula, Montana and headed north to Bigfork intending to open a small frame shop. Nearly 30 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 northwest Montana.

Frame of Reference's original Bigfork, MT location

In February 2017 the gallery moved from Bigfork to nearby Whitefish in a historic Central Avenue location that offered significant increases in both traffic and wall space. The gallery has grown dramatically from the early days of Frame of Reference, and we now represent over 70 artists from throughout the United States and Canada.  We specialize in presenting original artworks from both established and emerging artists working in a variety of mediums, and every artist we represent is here because one or more of us feel passionate about the work they create. 

FoR Fine Art Whitefish Gallery, 2025

In 2021 FoR reopened in Bigfork in the historic Kootenai Galleries building on Electric Avenue.   The framing aspect of the gallery continues to thrive in both 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 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, whether in person or on our website. 

FoR Fine Art Bigfork Gallery, 2024

FoR Fine Art Bigfork Gallery, 2024

our team

Derek Vandeberg

Founder, President, Lead Framer

Derek Vandeberg was born and raised in Missoula Montana; he stumbled into the world of fine art over 30 years ago when he landed a job as a picture framer in a local gallery.

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He had spent the previous decade working in the custom bicycle industry and quickly discovered that picture framing offered the same gratifying blend of artistry and craftsmanship.  Derek is still actively involved in picture framing, both in the FoR workshop and as an educator in the art and framing industry, but most of his time is now spent crafting the vision behind FoR Fine Art in this ever-evolving art market.  One constant has remained from the very beginning – Derek is passionate about the artwork we display and the artists we represent, and he works daily to share our artists’ messages with the world.

 

When he’s not in the gallery, Derek can be found in the wild on a bicycle, in a kayak, or on foot, seeking out places without cell service to go on adventures with his wife Elizabeth and their rescue dogs Kootenay (aka Trash Panda) and Lily (aka Crazy Pants). 

 

Derek continues to obsess over vintage steel bicycles and spends an inordinate amount of time puttering in his home workshop, and, according to Elizabeth, surfing and dreaming on eBay.  He’s also

a pretty good cook, specializing in the recipes from his mother’s Italian heritage.  In direct conflict with the precise world of bicycles and picture frames, when cooking he never measures anything. 

Derek Vandeberg was born and raised in Missoula Montana; he stumbled into the world of fine art over 30 years ago when he landed a job as a picture framer in a local gallery.  He had spent the previous decade working in the custom bicycle industry and quickly discovered that picture framing offered the same gratifying blend of artistry and craftsmanship.  Derek is still actively involved in picture framing, both in the FoR workshop and as an educator in the art and framing industry, but most of his time is now spent crafting the vision behind FoR Fine Art in this ever-evolving art market.  One constant has remained from the very beginning – Derek is passionate about the artwork we display and the artists we represent, and he works daily to share our artists’ messages with the world.

 

When he’s not in the gallery, Derek can be found in the wild on a bicycle, in a kayak, or on foot, seeking out places without cell service to go on adventures with his wife Elizabeth and their rescue dogs Kootenay (aka Trash Panda) and Lily (aka Crazy Pants). 

 

Derek continues to obsess over vintage steel bicycles and spends an inordinate amount of time puttering in his home workshop, and, according to Elizabeth, surfing and dreaming on eBay.  He’s also a pretty good cook, specializing in the recipes from his mother’s Italian heritage.  In direct conflict with the precise world of bicycles and picture frames, when cooking he never measures anything. 

Elizabeth Vandeberg

Operations Manager

Elizabeth officially joined the gallery team in 2018, adding her tech skills to the mix.  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 tries her best to keep the gallery on track and does all things tech-related.  She's an expert at telling the team to log out and log back in, and maybe try restarting it?

 

When Elizabeth is not in the gallery, she is passionate about being outside, no matter the season.  She enjoys hiking, kayaking, road and mtb cycling, cross-country skiing (never downhill), and backpacking.   She also loves to garden but there's never enough time in the summer.  You might see her getting pulled around town by her beloved crazy dogs, Kootenay and Lily or out on some fun adventure with her husband, Derek.  

Elizabeth has been helping behind the scenes at FoR Fine Art for quite some time, but officially joined the team in the summer of 2018.

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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

Partner

Growing up in Greensboro N.C., Tula loved spending time with her horse competing in hunter jumper competitions across the south.

Growing up in Greensboro N.C., Tula loved spending time with her horse competing in hunter jumper competitions across the south. Her childhood visits to Montana to see relatives eventually lead her to a home on the Swan River outside of Bigfork. She and her husband Michel split time between their homes in Montana and Arizona, both places where they enjoy hiking, horseback riding, and travel. 

 

Tula's entrepreneurial experience began in her early twenties in North Carolina, buying, selling, and trading antique furniture, art, and collectibles. In the early '80s Tula partnered with her parents in the metal building insulation business. Over the next twenty years she expanded operations to eleven manufacturing facilities across the U.S. and the company became a leading national provider of insulation products. Selling the business in 2004 lead to more and more time spent in Montana, where she and Michel developed an appreciation for western fine art, including annual treks to Great Falls for the Charlie Russell auction.

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Her childhood visits to Montana to see relatives eventually lead her to a home on the Swan River outside of Bigfork. She and her husband Michel split time between their homes in Montana and Arizona, both places where they enjoy hiking, horseback riding, and travel. 

 

Tula's entrepreneurial experience began in her early twenties in North Carolina, buying, selling, and trading antique furniture, art, and collectibles. In the early '80s Tula partnered with her parents in the metal building insulation business. Over the next twenty years she expanded operations to eleven manufacturing facilities across the U.S. and the company became a leading national provider of insulation products. Selling the business in 2004 lead to more and more time spent in Montana, where she and Michel developed an appreciation for western fine art, including annual treks to Great Falls for the Charlie Russell auction.

Bryce Bennett

Gallery Manager

With a BFA in Studio Arts (Photography) from the University of Texas at Arlington and experience as a photo lab technician, Bryce adds another layer of industry knowledge to our diverse and experienced team. When not at the gallery Bryce spends 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.

With a BFA in Studio Arts (Photography) from the University of Texas at Arlington and experience as a photo lab technician, Bryce adds another layer of industry knowledge to our diverse and experienced team.

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When not at the gallery Bryce spends 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

Marketing

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 shortly thereafter began working part-time at the gallery! She has been part of the FoR Fine Art team for over four years now and currently manages all things marketing from her home in SW Colorado.

 

Miriam is a violinist and fiddle player and (of course) loves biking. She enjoys dabbling in many creative pursuits and tries to make something every day (homemade pizza counts), although she spends most of her time singing made up songs to her dog Ramen.

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.

read more

In 2019 she started dog sitting for Tula, and shortly thereafter began working part-time at the gallery! She has been part of the FoR Fine Art team for over three years now and currently manages all things marketing from her home in SW Colorado.

 

Miriam is a violinist and fiddle player and (of course) loves biking. She enjoys dabbling in many creative pursuits and tries to make something every day (homemade pizza counts), although she spends most of her time singing made up songs to her dog Ramen.

Caitlyn Lofgren

Framer

Caitlyn stumbled into custom frame design four years ago, and she hasn't looked back! She is inspired by the wide variety of artwork that she comes across and always looks forward to seeing the design come to life in the final stages. She has lived in the Flathead Valley for almost thirty years.

 

In her spare time she adventures outdoors with her dog Hadley, puzzles, or reads a good book to recharge. 

Caitlyn stumbled into custom frame design four years ago, and she hasn't looked back!

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She is inspired by the wide variety of artwork that she comes across and always looks forward to seeing the design come to life in the final stages. She has lived in the Flathead Valley for almost thirty years.

 

In her spare time she adventures outdoors with her dog Hadley, puzzles, or reads a good book to recharge.