The Holter Museum of Art in Helena recently hosted its inaugural Rock the Block Art Fair on Saturday, marking the end of the summer season with community activities and showcasing local artists. The event began with a special rededication ceremony for the Red Shift Rocker, a distinctive sculpture positioned on the museum's southeast lawn that has become a symbol of the institution.
Approximately 50 community members gathered around the sculpture as Christina Barbachano, the Holter Museum's executive director, addressed the crowd. "I'd like to thank our board of directors and the local businesses who supported this project," Barbachano told the assembled audience. "We are grateful to the Helena community for the funding that went into this."
The Red Shift Rocker was originally commissioned in 2005 by Joan Holter, a major contributor to the museum's founding in 1987. The sculpture was created by Richard Swanson, a Helena artist who specializes in geometric sculptures. Swanson revealed his creative process, explaining that he first experimented with cutting shapes into paper to visualize the final piece before creating the actual sculpture.
Swanson shared an amusing anecdote about how his work came to be displayed at the museum. "Before my piece was here, there was a different sculpture that Joan Holter didn't like too much," he said with a laugh. "She visited my studio and liked my work. So, she went back to the board and said she wanted a new sculpture done by me."
After two decades of exposure to Montana's harsh weather conditions, the sculpture required significant restoration work. The Holter Museum partnered with local businesses to give the Red Shift Rocker a comprehensive makeover, including a fresh coat of paint, enhanced lighting, new signage, and a new concrete slab that raises the sculpture 18 inches from the ground for better visibility and protection.
The restoration project was funded through the city of Helena's Downtown Tax Increment Financing Grant, demonstrating the community's commitment to preserving public art. All Around Construction and Hjelms Auto Body carried out the refurbishment work, showcasing local business involvement in cultural preservation efforts.
During the ceremony, Swanson was honored with an award recognizing his artistic contribution to the community. "It's an honor for a piece of mine to be the visual symbol of the Holter," he expressed with evident pride. Following the formal recognition, both Barbachano and Swanson participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially celebrate the sculpture's restoration.
The art fair component of the event began at 5:30 p.m., transforming the museum grounds into a vibrant marketplace where local artists displayed and sold their work in individual booths. Food trucks provided refreshments and meals for visitors, creating a festival-like atmosphere. The evening concluded with live music performances by a Helena band, accompanied by street dancing that encouraged community participation.
Swanson expressed his gratitude to the Holter Museum for their dedication to maintaining his artwork. "It's amazing to know that because of this work, the Red Shift Rocker can stand for another 20 or 30 years," he said, reflecting on the sculpture's extended lifespan thanks to the restoration efforts. The successful event highlighted the importance of community support in preserving public art and fostering local cultural engagement.
