Page 12 - KOG Glory & Grace Issue 6 June 2022

PAGE 12
Bernice's painting with her family's brand on the barn (2021).
Bernice Bjertness started painting at age 82.
Intrigued by a class offered by Montana artist, Mike Capser, at Mission Ridge in 2019, Bernice gave it a try. "He comes with the sketch and the paints and the boards," Bernice explains, "and then he teaches us." She was hooked.
Bernice Bjertness
"Painting has given me the gift of looking at things differently. To appreciate them more. And I've grown in my faith,” Bernice shares. "I'm more thankful for what I see. I'm so thankful I'm able to do it."
Note: One of Bernice's in-progress pieces is pictured on the back cover of this issue as well.
Editors note: It did not seem right to publish an issue about art without honoring the late Darell Tunicliff who died from COVID-pneumonia earlier this year. With the blessing of his wife, Robin, and gratitude to Darell for his tireless commitment to make the arts accessible for all, we include some of Darell's story here.
Darell Tunnicliff was one of the founders of the nonprofit organization Arts Without Boundaries (AWB) that provides music and art lessons and deepens experiences in the arts for children in Montana communities. Though Darell did not consider himself an artist, he was passionate about kids and young people having what they need to thrive and stay in school.
Arts Without Boundaries provides free art materials and musical instruments for kids, creates opportunities to receive instruction from professional artists and musicians, as well as provides opportunities for high school students to mentor and teach younger students. KOG member, Allie Bullman, was a recipient of an AWB Outstanding Student award in 2021.
In May, coinciding with the State High School Music Festival, AWB presented an inaugural concert for the newly created Tunnicliff Performance Series in his honor.
In loving memory of
Darell Tunnicliff
1952-2022 she made in 2021.
Allie Bullman
with a cello