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25 Year Anniversary Celebration

Name: 25 Year Anniversary Celebration
Start: 2025-10-03T17:00:00+00:00
End: 2025-10-03T21:00:00+00:00
Location: Sandstone Gallery

October 3, 2025 @ 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm

You are invited to join us on Friday, October 3rd as we celebrate this momentous occasion! Free mini print by one of our talented artists to the first 100 households through the door!

Read all the details in our press release below:

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 12, 2025

Contact: Sandstone Gallery: (406) 256-5837
Web: https://sandstonegallerymt.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sandstone Gallery Celebrates 25 Years in Downtown Billings

(September 12, 2025 – Billings, MT) – 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of Sandstone Gallery, a long-standing hub of local creativity and artistic expression in downtown Billings. Officially opened in October 2000, Sandstone Gallery has proudly showcased the work of over 85 member artists, countless guest artists, and special art events throughout the years.

To commemorate this milestone, the gallery will host a special 25th Anniversary Open House during ArtWalk on Friday, October 3rd, from 5–9 PM. Many of the gallery’s 17 current member artists will be present to exhibit their work, share insights about their creative process, and celebrate with the community. All past artists who have shown with Sandstone over the years are warmly invited to stop by and join the celebration.

“On behalf of all of our artists, I would like to thank Billings and the surrounding communities for supporting our gallery and shopping locally,” says Susan Martinez, gallery director. “We offer a curated selection of affordable original artwork, handmade jewelry, distinctive pottery, fine photography, and one-of-a-kind gifts crafted by local artists. When you shop at Sandstone, you’re not only finding something truly unique—you’re also investing directly in the creative community that makes our region vibrant and culturally rich.”

Sandstone Gallery operates as a member-run cooperative. Each partner member plays an active role in the day-to-day operations—whether it’s marketing, hanging exhibitions, painting walls, changing lightbulbs, or greeting customers. The gallery’s success is a direct result of the hard work, creativity, teamwork, and resilience of its members. Active participation by all has been essential to both the vibrancy and sustainability of this beloved local art space.

Mary Hopper, one of the original founders—and the only one who has continuously exhibited her work at Sandstone Gallery for 25 years—recalled, “We had to rush to get everything ready in time for the October ArtWalk. We had just four to six weeks to pull it all together and prepare the gallery. Everyone pitched in, brought finger food, and the turnout was fantastic. The response from visitors was so positive that we decided to keep the gallery open.” And the rest, as they say, is history!

When asked about her experiences with the gallery, 20-year member Lana Bittner recalls, “After a career in Banking, I decided to follow my passion for art & painting and joined Sandstone Gallery. Leo Olson & Sue Hammersmark brought me in, as they were looking for an artist with a mix of contemporary and abstract art. I’ve seen many talented artists join and leave Sandstone Gallery in the 20 years I’ve been here, and I still value many of their friendships today!”

The gallery currently features 17 artists: Jennifer Baretta, Lana Bittner, Teresa Brown, Dick Cottrill, Christine and Ken Denning, Mary Hopper, Peter Herzog, John Kennedy, Susan Martinez, Donna Moore, the Leo Olson Estate, John Roberts, Lynn Shield, and the Billings Arts Association. We are thrilled to welcome our two newest members: Cecil Pegram and Charlene Wilson.

Each artist maintains a personal display area within the gallery. Every other month, during ArtWalk, two members are featured. This October, Susan Martinez will showcase her stunning acrylic paintings, while Lynn Shield will exhibit her dynamic Brusho watercolor works, and we will showcase art and pottery from the Leo Olson Estate. The Billings Arts Association artists for this round are Kassi Strong and Jean Posusta.

We are also excited to feature guest artist Ruby Hahn, known for her striking acrylic and mixed-media artworks. Ruby creates large-scale, statement pieces using self-made fluid acrylics combined with a variety of mixed media. Her work explores the subtle, often unnoticed relationships in the natural world, offering a personal and interpretive lens on nature’s hidden connections. Her bold compositions and organic textures invite viewers to look closer—and feel deeper.

Sandstone Gallery is located at 2913 2nd Avenue North in downtown Billings and is a Made in Montana-designated co-op gallery featuring original paintings, sculpture, jewelry, pottery, photography, cards, and unique handmade gifts.

Gallery Hours:
Tuesday–Friday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Saturday: 10 AM – 2 PM
Closed Sundays, Mondays, and Holidays

For more information, call (406) 256-5837, email sandstonegallerymt@gmail.com, or visit sandstonegallerymt.com.

Sandstone Gallery Partner Members: Back Row (L-R) Dick Cottrill, John Roberts, Lynn Shield, John Kennedy, Teresa Brown, Susan Martinez. Front Row (L-R) Ken Denning, Christine Denning, Jennifer Baretta, Mary Hopper, Lana Bittner, Peter Herzog, Charlene Wilson, Donna Moore. Not pictured: Cecil Pegram and Bonnie Olson for the late Leo Olson.