Montana Meth Project MISSOULA
The Montana Meth Project recently announced the publication of a book chronicling the organization’s 2006 “Paint the State” art competition. Teens throughout Montana created more than 660 pieces of public artwork displayed across the state to spread the word about the dangers of meth use. The 56-page book captures the spirit of the project with more than 100 images of artwork and color photos of inspired teens in action. Commentary from artists and others touched by the Project are included throughout the book, and exhibit the extraordinary reach and impact of Paint the State 2006. “The number of teens that participated in this project, and the quality of the work they produced, really turned this into a true grassroots effort and one of the most successful public art projects ever executed,” said Montana Meth Project Chairman Mike Gulledge. “The fact that so many kids saw value in the Not Even Once’ message, and came up with their own ways of conveying that sentiment to their peers, shows just how important the anti-meth issue is to teens in the state. The book is a great momento of this one-of-a-kind project.” Teens from across Montana’s 56 counties participated in the contest, showcasing their creativity by placing their art on buses, hay bales, garbage cans, teepees, and even the sides of cows and sheep. Each county’s commissioner judged the entries on their meth prevention messaging, artistic merit, creativity and public visibility. All told, more than $300,000 in prize money was awarded to participants in the contest. Montana artist Russell Chatham awarded the statewide grand prize to Alexa Audet, 16, of Broadwater County, at a special ceremony held at the state capitol in Helena on Aug. 9, 2006. Her winning mural is displayed in a two-page spread in the center of the book. The book is available in exchange for a $50 donation, which can be made online at http://www.paintthestate.org/book. aspx, or by calling toll-free (888) 366-6384. The Montana Meth Project is a not-for-profit organization headquartered in Missoula. The project implements a range of advertising and community action programs to reduce methamphetamine use among Montana teens. The Meth Project is funded by a grant from the Thomas and Stacey Siebel Foundation. For more information, visit www.montanameth.org.
