Spanish sculptor to open exhibit at Hockaday

The Hockaday Museum of Art is hosting a new exhibition, “Step by Step,” featuring the worlds of renowned Spanish artist Manel Àlvarez.

The show opens Thursday, June 8 and includes selected past drawings and sculptures, along with new pieces inspired by Northwest Montana.

Àlvarez, from Barcelona, is known for his large sculptures in bronze, marble and granite. He has exhibited all over the world and received commissions for monuments in France, Italy, Germany, Brazil and the United States, in addition to his native Spain.

He draws inspiration from the different cultures and beliefs he’s encountered in his travels, and focuses on using lines to create a sense of weightlessness and to convey the energy of the represented form.

Àlvarez’s wife, Linda, was born in Great Falls and this exhibition honors her heritage. The artist will donate one of his original outdoor sculptures to the Hockaday Museum of Art to serve as a community centerpiece and legacy for future generations.

An opening reception for “Step by Step” will be held June 8 from 5 to 7 p.m. and is free for members to attend (nonmembers are $10). Àlvarez will give an artist talk Saturday, June 10 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. “Step by Step” will remain open through Aug. 5.

The Hockaday Museum of Art is located in the cultural district of downtown Kalispell at 302 Second Ave. E. It is housed in a 1904 Carnegie Library building that appears on the National Register of Historic Places. The Museum is a private nonprofit organization open year-round, Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The mission of the Hockaday is to enrich the cultural life of the community and region, and preserve the artistic legacy of Montana and Glacier National Park. For more information, visit www.hockadaymuseum.org or call 406-755-5268.