Community-based Industrial Arts Education is the primary focus of Artist Jesse Blumenthal. Jesse Blumenthal is an internationally exhibited, museum collected Artist and Educator residing in Missoula, Montana. Before moving to Montana in 2016, the high mountains of Southwestern Colorado were home base for both studio and community based industrial art practices for almost a decade. Their studio work has been shown in nine solo exhibitions, dozens of group shows and as many residencies across the US and Canada. In 2022 Blumenthal's solo exhibition “Endemic” was shown at Holter Museum of Art in Helena, MT. In Summer of 2025, “Pedal Powered Fair and Swing Bike Rodeo” took place at Palace Gallery in Ellensburg, WA. “Lawn in a Prairie” was shown throughout Autumn 2025 at Montana State University Billings’ Northcutt Steele Gallery.

Blumenthal has broadened the reach and accessibility of their practice through the educational opportunities presented by working in industrial materials in a community forward environment. Their community educational practice has been awarded eight separate Montana Arts Council Grants and multiple residencies in Missoula, MT and Gunnison, CO County Public Schools. They are currently a Teaching Artist with Spark Arts Integration and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in The School of Visual and Media Arts at The University of Montana. Blumenthal was raised in the NorthEast; spending their formative years in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They attended University of Massachusetts at Amherst for a BFA in Painting in 2007, and completed MFA graduate work at The University of Montana in 2019.

KEY COLLABORATORS

Jay Bruns

Jay Bruns is a driving creative force of all things audio/visual for our region. As the founder of the former Wave and Circuit space on the Hip Strip, Jay facilitated a space for countless performances, collaboration, and creative practice for 8 years. Jay maintains a prolific digital art practice and music career alongside his work as the Owner/Operator of ITMSO. His support and collaboration are an integral part in the foundation and operation of Industrial Arts Montana.

Jason Cox

Jason Cox is a Missoula, Montana based Artist.  He grew up in Los Alamos, New Mexico, where he imprinted on the nomadic bicycle mechanics at Trail Bound Sports and absorbed a large dose of mad scientist energy while working at Los Alamos National Laboratory.  His love for Zines was forged in the basement of the Fort Lewis College library feeding coins into the photocopier like it was Ms Pac Man.  Jason’s current work explores materials, geometry, and bicycles.  He loves to trade zines.  His favorite color is plywood.

 Interested in Teaching a workshop as a Guest Instructor?

We offer opportunities for Community Members and Teachers of all sorts to propose workshop offerings in our 801 Ronan St space.

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