The team behind the newly resurrected 120 N Higgins Avenue in Missoula, MT, launched a new art program down the alleyway of this historical location. Called Allez!, the concept behind this new adventure is to create an outdoor art gallery of mural artworks which will be rotated regularly. The first installation of this ambitious project is large scale prints of well-known works by Missoula artist James G. Todd.

The newly resurrected building at 120 Higgins Ave. already houses three other art venues, including the relocated Missoula favorite Radius Gallery, along with Relic Gallery and Art Vault. Allez is a continuation of this “cathedral to art,” the original concept which owners Brian and Karen Sippy had envisaged.

“When we first saw the drawings of our building,” says Karen Sippy, “we both immediately realized the opportunity before us. We now could honor the preserved Pharmacy Building through architecture and design. We now had the public canvas to share the beauty and creativity of art, and we are now positioned to activate Missoula’s first paved alley and to bring light, art, and people together.”

The premier of Allez had initially been placed at a later date. Still, with the current climate of uncertainty, plus the fact that most art organizations have been forced to close, the team felt it beneficial to push forward and offer a semblance of beauty to the Missoula community. “One of the ultimate goals of Allez is to bring pride and mental well being to Missoula through art,” says program director Lillian Nelson, “so what better time than now to begin?”

While future exhibits are meant to feature original, handcrafted, full-scale murals, and even sculptural pieces, the first installation required something much more straightforward but still attractive. “We settled on enlarged photo reproductions from James G. Todd’s jazz series, one, because he is a true Missoula icon, but also because of the pure humanity that shines through his portraits, both the light and the dark,” says Nelson. The final installation includes nine Todd prints that span 58 feet of the alley wall. A proper socially distanced ribbon cutting took place on June 5th, when Missoula would usually celebrate First Friday.

“Allez is a revolving outdoor urban art gallery which activates the alleyway of the beautiful new 120 N Higgins Avenue building in the Original Townsite of Missoula. We engage, promote, and sponsor a wide variety of artists and artistic visions. We provide a custom display system on a lighted alley wall for showcasing quality artworks that represent our region. We strive for ways to create a real, stable economy for artists by partnering with other community organizations, nonprofits, schools, and businesses to promote sponsored public events.”

For more information, visit 120nhiggins.com, or contact Lillian Nelson at lillian.allezmissoula@gmail.com.

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Full Allez! wall at opening (featuring Beth Lo & David Orgon)

Allez! exhibit at night

Retro drive-by

Hanging Beth (featuring Karen Sippy & Lillian Nelson)

Birth of Allez!

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