About ACF

See articles from the Daily Interlake that were written about ACF or its members.

11/24/2021 - https://dailyinterlake.com/news/2021/nov/24/artists-and-craftsmen-flathead-stronger-ever-after/

11/28/2021 - https://dailyinterlake.com/news/2021/nov/28/save-yourself-hassle-shop-local-season/

12/23/2021 - https://dailyinterlake.com/news/2021/dec/23/whitefish-woodcrafter-joins-kalispell-art-cooperat/

7/4/2019 - https://dailyinterlake.com/news/2019/jul/04/go-find-your-fun-this-fourth-of-july-weekend-6/

11/29/2019 - https://dailyinterlake.com/news/2019/nov/29/kalispell-artist-transforms-metal-into-works-6/

ACF was formed in May of 1981 as the brainchild of Kathy and John Harranon. John and Kathy were seeking alternative options for selling their products in the Flathead Valley since local art galleries were charging the artists 30% to 40% consignment fees. Farmers’ markets were another option but were very produce-oriented and did not seem like the right venue for artists and crafters at that time. Additionally, Kathy and John learned that the Hockaday Museum was focusing its promotional efforts on out-of-town artists which ultimately excluded local, Kalispell-area artists. The fact that ACF grew so quickly in its first few years is a testament to the need to a local organization dedicated to supporting Flathead Valley artists and crafters. Kathy and John gathered a Steering Committee of 12 members to help them get ACF off the ground and running. ACF’s logo was designed in 1981 by Vern Wyman.

In June of 1981, ACF had 31 members. By the following year, 1982, ACF had 118 members. In its largest membership years, ACF had approximately 180 members. Membership numbers have fluctuated over the years, ranging anywhere from 30 to over 180.

The original name of ACF was “Artists and Craftsmen of the Flathead Valley.” In 1992, the members felt that including the word “Valley” in the organization’s title and requiring members to “live in Flathead Valley proper” was misleading to members who live in Lake County rather than Flathead County. Thus, the name was changed to “Artists and Craftsmen of the Flathead” and the Bylaws were amended.

In 2015/2016/2017, ACF was hearing concerns from its few-remaining members that ACF was not fulfilling its purpose, was not recruiting new members and had a bad reputation around the Flathead Valley. ACF formed a Reorganizational Committee to address these concerns and discuss ways to reinvigorate the organization. Today, new membership is back up and ACF hosts the largest two craft shows in the Valley each year!

List of current ACF board members - click on each name to learn more.