Small Works and Big Ideas: Catching up With UM Alum Hadley Ferguson
It’s hard to believe Hadley Ferguson didn’t paint much during her time as a University of Montana student. The Missoula-based artist studied sculpture and drawing as an undergrad, but is now known for her skill with a paintbrush, masterfully executing landscapes and historical scenes on both large and small scales.
Montanans have likely seen some of her mural work, including the “Women Build Montana” in the State Capitol building in Helena, or “Heart of Missoula” at the corner of Broadway and Higgins downtown.
Her most recent series of works captures the wide-open skies of western Montana within a smaller frame — 2 feet or less in width. Ferguson has multiple system atrophy, which affects her muscles and peripheral vision, making murals and other large pieces challenging. Painting on a smaller scale allows her to focus on depth and detail, and keep her skills sharp.
After participating in a Christmas show this winter, Ferguson was inspired to keep the momentum going. “I thought it would be really good for me if I could try to get another body of work together and had a goal of doing a show at some point,” she said.
She planned a spring show with Radius Gallery in downtown Missoula, but family obligations put things on hold. For Ferguson, the show took on new significance when it did open to the public.
“The show ended up being not what I expected, but ended up being a moment for my family to see something move forward in a positive way even during our difficult times,” she said “I think a lot of that went into the feeling of the show.
It was a success, with all but two pieces sold during the first weekend.
Ferguson is now focused on completing some of the large-scale works that have been on hold due to her health. She’s teaming up with other local artists to finish a series of murals started in 2011 at Loyola High School, depicting the history of the Catholic Church in western Montana.
History, particularly Montana history, is a recurring theme in much of Ferguson’s work.
She feels especially passionate about the research process that comes ahead of the design phase.
“That part to me is my favorite part of any project — getting to learn the story and compiling the history and working with a committee to make sure it expresses the story that they feel needs to be told,” she said.
Growing up, she studied classical music and tended to stay traditional with her art. When she arrived at UM, she embraced more experimental works. “It was really a time where I had that experience where I was able to push the boundaries that were holding me back,” she said. “I had some wonderful, wonderful instructors who are still mentors to this day.”
Ferguson is a driving force in the Missoula art scene. Along with fellow UM alum Stoney Samsoe, she co-founded Open AIR, a program that selects artists for creative residencies at sites across western Montana. Fostering public art in Missoula is another overarching goal for Ferguson.
“With regard to collaborating and brainstorming larger ideas and larger things moving forward for Missoula, that’s still something I want to be part of and probably won’t stop ever,” she said.