Artini

Storytelling by an almost-czar turned artist, Native American beadwork, “Shrinky Dinks,” live music, a modern wedding dress fashion show, and plenty of wine and martinis.  The Missoula Art Museum had it all Thursday evening.  The event, Artini, is a night of fine art and classy drinks held on the third Thursday of every month.

April’s featured artists ranged the gamut in style and medium.  Artists Molly Murphy, Holly Andres and others were on exhibit as Artini-goers listened to the music of Larry Hirshberg and Brandon Zimmer.

The museum also featured guest Andrew Romanoff, who was once destined to become the czar of Russia.  After the Czar Nicholas the II Romanoff lived in exile in England, Andrew Romanoff later became an artist.  He signed books for much of the evening and also told several stories from his life as royalty.

Romanoff’s book is a conglomeration of his work in “Shrinky Dinks,” small pieces of plastic that one draws or paints on.  The plastic is then put in an oven, where the plastic shrinks considerably, but creates a plastic drawing of sorts.

Towards the end of event there was also another installment of a Missoula version of “Project Runway.” This week’s competition pitted three designers against one another, with a budget of about $75 and the task of making a wedding dress.

Designer Megan McDonald walked away with the win but hasn’t won the multi-stage competition.  The final show-down for McDonald and the other remaining designer in the competition, Ilana Siegelman, will be at the Missoula Art Museum at the next First Friday.