2010 Artist: Bob Jacobson

Bob is a Montana native who grew up in Eastern Montana and moved to Missoula over 30 years ago. For as long as he can remember, he has always been interested in many artistic media, such as water color, ceramics and sculpture. At college, he studied Professional Writing, Art and Acting. In the 80s, he supported his family working in stained glass and glass sandblasting; many of these creations can be seen around Missoula. In 1992, Bob created his first home page for the web and began using Adobe Photoshop to create unique digital art, based on the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Because of its unique qualities, this work can be found on many web sites from around the world.  When he can’t bear to be at the computer any longer, Bob turns to designing and creating quilts or baking bread. Bob is the director Osel Shen Phen Ling, a Tibetan Buddhist Center. Bob has a son, daughter and three granddaughters who live in Missoula.

2010 Artist: Megan Richter

Megan graduated in 2006 with a degree in Graphic Design from Montana State University. She has studied art and illustration abroad, including Mexico and Italy. She has always possessed a strong love of art. Throughout her life, she has explored different mediums to express her creativity, from painting to baking to sewing, Megan always has her hands full with new projects. She also uses her excessive amount of creativity daily at her job as a graphic designer and volunteering in her community. Look for an original painting done by Megan on this year’s cover of Montana Cultural Treasures and her design for this year River City Roots Festival.

2009 Artist: Adam Potts

After hearing the siren call of Missoula during college, Adam moved from Helena clutching a Bachelor's degree in Political Science. After souring on life in the political world, he migrated from left-wing politics to right-brain expression. Continuing a lifelong habit of learning by doing, he began his design career by doing newspaper layouts before moving into graphic design and advertising. Aside from art and design, Adam divides his time (often chaotically and sporadically) between making music, writing and drawing comics, and wandering aimlessly about downtown Missoula.

2008 Artist: Chris Sawicki

Chris honed his skills as a graphic designer at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, earning a BFA in Communication Design. As a snowboarder raised on the East Coast, Chris was beckoned by the big mountains of Lake Tahoe, Colorado and then Oregon to satisfy his cravings for deep powder. So far, he's held titles such as, "Ski Bum", River Canoeist", "National Park Service sign maker", "Champion Hotspringer", "Espresso Connoisseur", and "newspaper graphic designer". Chris now calls Missoula home and works at St. Patrick Hospital as a graphic designer.

2007 Artist: Josh Quick

Raised in Montana, Graduated Art Institute of Seattle, Illustrator + Designer "In American Navy Tradition a propeller tattoo on both sides of the buttocks meant if a sailor fell overboard he had a way back to land. Sparrows were also depicted about the chest or forearms to protect their spirit. If a sailor were to drown the winged creatures would carry their souls to heaven. Art gives me a sense of comfort and sometimes spirituality. I've never experienced a gale in open water, nor been fortunate enough to mistake a manatee for a mermaid. But, I could draw the experience."
Josh Quick is an international, award-winning illustrator. If you're interested in seeing more of his art, check out www.quickjosh.com.

2006 Artist: Mike Lake

Mike is a Missoula native, and a graduate of Hellgate High School. He spends much of his time playing competitive rounds of 'Uno' with his wife and daughters, hiking in Western Montana and annoying his co-workers with poorly sung show tunes and Stones covers. With a BFA in Digital Communication and Marketing, Mike has been a Graphic Artist for several newspapers, and held several titles ranging from Prepress Coordinator, Lead Marketing Designer, and most recently Advertising Production Manager for the Missoulian.