Museum board takes new direction

The longtime director of the Bigfork Museum of Art and History was fired recently.

Marnie Forbis has been the director of the museum for 18 years, and was let go Sept. 4, according to an e-mail from the museum director. The museum in downtown Bigfork is supported by donations and by its 250 members.

The members were sent an e-mail after Forbis’ firing, saying, in part:

“ Marnie Forbis is no longer on staff at the museum. We are grateful for Marnie’s many years of service and all that she accomplished while Executive Director. The Board has a plan in place for the operation of the museum during this transition.  We will greatly appreciate your ongoing support as we move ahead.

Shadowhawke,

President, BMAH Board of Directors”

Darrell Gray, who has been a member at the museum for 20 years, said he can’t get an answer why the board took this sudden action.

The museum dates back to 1977, when a group purchased and renovated a gas station and proceeded to turn it into the Bigfork Art and Cultural Center, which is now the Bigfork Museum of Art and History. The museum brings exhibitions, and educational opportunities to Bigfork. The main gallery is on a rotating schedule of art and history exhibitions that feature Montana artists and the historic Bigfork area.

The upper galleries showcase historic exhibitions, featuring 100 years of Bigfork history in photographs and special exhibitions of Bigfork life, from Flathead Lake to the cherry industry to logging.