The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

Local artists and activists have been busy preparing their entries in a statewide public art contest engaging Montana teens and adults in grassroots, on-the-ground drug prevention. Two entrants in the Paint the State contest are from Harlem. Taylor Faulkinberry-Richardson and Michelle Crazy have displayed their artwork and are ready for judging.

To compete for cash prizes, artwork had to be installed and a submission form completed by 11:59 p.m. on June 30. Celebrity judging and popular voting takes place during the month of July, and regional and statewide award winners will be announced in August.

Emailed to all registrants, the submission form required an artwork description, location details, and photos. Faulkinberry-Richardson's artwork sits at the corner of Farnum Road and US Hwy 2, just west of Harlem near mile marker 423. The artist wishes to thank the Jon and Dean Baker families for allowing her to display her artistic message on their property and extends additional gratitude to Rod Wagner at Harlem Lumber for donating some of the paint she used to create her monument-sized anti-drug message.

Not only hoping to bring awareness to the community but also to the state, Faulkinberry-Richardson was inspired to enter the Paint the State competition in order to make a difference. "It is sad to see how much drugs have been affecting our communities. We need to be proactive in order to help improve our state for the current generation and for generations to come. I have always loved to paint and enjoy sharing my art with people. So I thought my art might bring awareness to others while also bringing me great joy," she explained.

In discussing her artwork, Faulkinberry-Richardson described the symbolism she used to unite the Harlem and Fort Belknap communities. Each quadrant of her 8 x 8 foot sign is painted to match the colors of an indigenous Medicine Wheel: black, red, yellow, and white. She also employs the red handprint reminiscent of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) movement. Just as the red hand print over the mouth has become the symbol of the missing sisters whose voices are not heard, Faulkinberry-Richardson appropriates the image to give a voice to the idea that "Drugs End All Dreams" unless we make people aware of the dangers.

"From my job at Harlem Elementary School, I see how much the Harlem and Fort Belknap communities are connected. I wanted to honor the Native American culture while bringing awareness to the dangers of drugs since many of the MMIW are victims of drug cartels and human traffickers. It's not just Meth but all drugs that are dangerous."

To reinforce that notion of danger, Faulkinberry-Richardson painted some of her sign's lettering in a pixelated-style font. "That style draws in the intense nature of drug use and kind of represents how drugs create a tweaky situation for the user."

Another local entry, Crazy's art is on display immediately to the west of Native Grown on the north side of Hwy 2 near Harlem. Crazy was similarly motivated to enter the contest to bring awareness to the area. "Meth is a stimulant that creates feelings of artificial satisfaction and pleasure. I want people to know about the harms of drug use and hope my art inspires them to transition away from the ugliness of doing drugs to focus on natural beauty and positivity."

With its black background and white lettered slogan: "There Is Beauty Beyond Addiction," the painting's imagery captures Crazy's message. The images pop in contrasts from the left-where the white skeleton face represents decay-to the right, where vibrant Montana wildflowers reveal nature's beauty. About her floral choices, Crazy stated that she loves wildflowers and is especially drawn to the deep color of flax. The Indian paintbrush reminds her of her favorite uncle, and she herself grows sunflowers for their beauty.

The fourth flower pictured, yarrow is a traditional medicinal plant. As a matter of fact, numerous tribes in North America use yarrow for a variety of ailments. The crushed plant in a poultice can treat rashes, swelling, eczema, burns, spider bites, and other minor wounds; the dried leaves brewed into a tea will soothe colds, fever, and stomach problems; and the plant's astringent leaves treat hemorrhoids.

Crazy also admits to being motivated by the size of the prize. "I'm not gonna lie; the prize money was another motivation. I'm still building my skill as an artist; it's a process, but I'm happy to be able to participate and encourage people to choose natural beauty rather than ruining their bodies and minds with drugs."

Competing with other Montana adults, both women will have the opportunity to win one of the eight prizes being awarded in the adult division: $10,000 for first place, $5,000 for second, $3,000 for third, and $2,500 for fourth. The prize money for fifth place is $2,000, while sixth place will be awarded half that amount, seventh place will receive $750, and number eight will take $500.

Although a panel of 'celebrity' judges will select the state winners, all participants will also compete in the statewide People's Choice online voting contest. This category enables competitors to be eligible for additional cash prizes: $10,000 for first place, $3,000 for second, $2,000 for third, and $1,000 for fourth.

According to contest organizers, Paint the State encourages artists and activists to harness their passion and creativity to produce a monument-sized original public work of art that inspires drug-free lives and incorporates the Meth Project's "Not Even Once" message. Anyone thirteen years of age or older was eligible to register, create, and permanently install a Paint the State entry somewhere in Montana.

Paint the State is a program of the Montana Meth Project aimed at reducing first-time Methamphetamine (Meth) use. Founded in 2005, the Montana Meth Project fulfills its mission through public service messaging and community outreach programs to arm Montanans with the facts about Meth. The nonprofit remains the only organization in the state solely charged with reducing Meth use.

Voting for the People's Choice award will begin July 17 and continue through August 17. The public will be able to vote online for their favorite Paint the State entries at PaintTheState.org.

"We are thrilled with the participation in Paint the State. All around the state, amazing pieces of art are inspiring Montanans to live drug-free and broadcasting the Meth Project's Not Even Once message," said Amy Rue, Montana Meth Project Executive Director. "We invite the public to vote for their favorite entries when online voting for the People's Choice award opens July 17 at PaintTheState.org."