The Hockaday Museum of Art Shows Elmer Sprunger's Wildlife Paintings

Written by Alexander Mathieson Friday, 27 May 2011 18:22

Kalispell, Montana.- The Hockaday Museum of Art announces the "Elmer Sprunger: Artist, Naturalist and Political Humorist" exhibition until September 3rd. The exhibition features nearly 50 wildlife paintings and editorial cartoon works. Sprunger was born in Kalispell in 1919 and grew up on the north end of Swan Lake. Here he was exposed to abundant wildlife that moved freely through the landscape, and where his lifelong love of the natural world began. His realistic style of painting wildlife and outdoor scenes earned him a national following.

Four years after his death, Sprunger remains a local favorite and his paintings are collected nationally. His work hangs in the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma, the Safari Club in Las Vegas, public buildings and homes throughout the West. Sprunger’s editorial cartoons targeted politicians, dignitaries and the logging of public lands, and were featured prominently in the Bigfork Eagle for 24 years, in the Missoulian and in several national conservation magazines. Elmer met his bride to be, Marie Svejkovsky of Stanford, Montana while she was visiting her sister in the neighboring community of Somers. They were married in 1940 and had three children Nancy, Joyce and son Jerry.  The family moved numerous times while Sprunger pursued several different vocations in Montana and the state of Washington as a fence post cutter, ship fitter and drafter, and logger. It was during this period he began seriously creating cartoons that were filled with his unique commentary on politics and life.  Elmer decided to join the Army during World War ll. Sprunger was stationed in Hawaii where he worked in the Arts and Crafts room creating commercial art and drawing posters for military shows.

The family moved back to Swan Lake in 1950 and Elmer took a job as caretaker of Cedar Bay Lodge. There he cultivated his relationship to the outdoors as hunter, fisherman, hiker, observer and painter.  In 1953, they moved to Bigfork and soon after he began working at the Anaconda Aluminum Company in Columbia Falls. His duties included painting, sign painting and cartooning. He drew hundreds of cartoons promoting safe working conditions often using humor at the expense of his fellow workers. Sprunger co-authored a booklet with another plant employee Dale Burk. “Buck Fever” was a collection of cartoons and comments on the sport of hunting and was published in 1962. In the evenings and on the weekends he would paint wildlife.


Elmer was 52 in 1971 when left his position at the plant to become a full-time professional wildlife artist.  He was able to do field research and focus completely on what he loved to do.  He said,” I couldn’t ask for a nicer life.  It’s almost more than anybody could ask for, to be able to stomp out in the woods anytime you want to, to do the things you like to do and be able to make a living at it.” He sold paintings in galleries and worked on commissions.  His realistic style of painting wildlife and outdoor scenes earned him a national following.  Sprunger was especially fond of painting wild birds, elk and bear. When asked what inspired him Elmer said,”Wildlife seems to be to be one of the few enduring things in this day when we have so much planned obsolescence.  Creative expression is shut off for most people, while wildlife can go about being what they are without having to pretend to be something else, or worry about pleasing anybody”. Elmer always found time to draw his cartoons and never missed an opportunity to share his analysis of current events.  He targeted politicians, dignitaries and especially the logging of public lands. Sprunger’s cartoons were featured prominently in the Bigfork Eagle for 24 years, time and again in the Missoulian and in several national conservation magazines.

As accomplished as he was as an artist, he was a humble soul and not overly concerned with advancing his reputation or fame. Sprunger’s pursuits were focused on taking his creativity to the next level. Elmer Sprunger died on August 22, 2007 at age 87 in Kalispell, Montana after a 6-month illness with lung cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.  Four years after his death, the artist remains a local favorite and his paintings are collected nationally. Sprunger’s work hangs in the Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma, the Safari Club in Las Vegas, public buildings and prominent homes throughout the west.

The Hockaday Museum of Art was established in 1968 by local artists and is today a leading public art museum and cultural resource for the Flathead Valley and regions beyond. The Museum contributes appreciably to regional tourism, economy, and quality of life for the community and state. The Hockaday preserves and promotes Montana’s artistic legacy through curatorial concentration on the significant art, artists, and authors of Montana and Glacier National Park. One of the nation’s largest permanent collections of historic and contemporary Glacier Park art, the Hockaday is the only Montana Museum with a major focus on Glacier Park, and the art and culture of the Blackfeet Indians. Their permanent collection is assessed at over $1.3M, and holds more than 600 catalogued items. Rotating and traveling exhibitions showcase the work of nationally celebrated artists, and offer a deeper examination of Montana’s art, culture, and history. Varied and fascinating opportunities for Montana’s next generation of artists are offered through the Hockaday’s art education program. Trained volunteer docents lead enlightening tours for visitors and students of all ages. The Hockaday’s Off the Wall Gift Gallery is a charming source of unique pottery, glass, jewelry, cards, prints, books, and other original handiwork by local and regional artists. Visit the museum's website at ... http://www.hockadaymuseum.org

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